Feb 2017 – Nov 2019 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Austin, Texas · Hybrid

• Contract Legal Consultant, & Recipient, TRB's John C. Vance Award for Outstanding Legal Research Paper (2019): Awarded for published work on NCHRP Project 20-102(07): Implications of Connected and Automated Driving Systems (Legal Landscape). Conducted comprehensive legal and policy analysis of autonomous and connected vehicle impacts on federal and state frameworks, including real-time tracking of all U.S. AV legislation, detailed review of vehicle codes and case law across 15 states, and cross-domain analysis to identify obsolete statutes. Findings informed national recommendations for motor vehicle administrators. Project completed under contract with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and published by the National Academies.

Apr 2004 – Feb 2017 · 12 yrs 10 mos · Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

• Career Break – Full-Time Caregiver & Community Volunteer (2004-2016)
• Took a career break to serve as full-time stay-at-home parent and family caregiver. Remained professionally active through ongoing community volunteering with schools, nonprofits, and civic organizations. Maintained professional licenses and completed continuing education to stay current in legal, policy, and research developments. Developed and demonstrated strong skills in time management, organization, advocacy, communication, and stakeholder coordination.

Jun 2003 – Dec 2004 · 1 yr 6 mos · Austin, Texas Area

• Licensed Texas Residential Realtor. Although I practiced at Coldwell for one year, I continue to maintain my active Texas license as part of my ongoing professional skillset.

May 2003 – Jan 2025 · 21 yrs 8 mos · Houston, TX · Remote

• (concurrently) Partner, Licensed Realtor, Commercial and Rural Land Leasing / Development

Jan 2003 – Jan 2003 · 0 mo · On-site

• 78th Legislative Session, Asst. Committee Clerk

Aug 2002 – Dec 2002 · 4 mos · On-site

• Aug. 2002-Dec. 2002, Legislative Aide to Representative for Texas House District 122 and for HD 94; Assisted with legal research & bill analysis, policy work, bill drafting and constituent needs.

Jan 2001 – Jan 2001 · 0 mo · Houston, Texas Area · On-site

• Carriage of Goods by Sea (Guest Lecturer – International Contracts Class)
• Delivered lectures on international maritime contracts, covering bills of lading, charter parties, carrier liability under international conventions (Hague–Visby, Hamburg, Rotterdam Rules), cargo insurance, and dispute resolution. Included practitioner insights from maritime attorneys, insurers, and arbitrators on global shipping law and risk allocation.

Jun 1999 – Aug 1999 · 2 mos · Houston, Texas Area · On-site

• Judicial law clerk: Assisted in appellate review of civil and criminal cases from ten Texas counties. Conducted legal research and case analysis, evaluated trial records and briefs, and prepared bench memoranda synthesizing facts and applicable law. Supported opinion drafting and citation verification for the judicial panel ; https://www.txcourts.gov/14thcoa/

Jun 1999 – Aug 1999 · 2 mos · Houston, Texas Area

• Law clerk: Supported attorneys in real estate, estate planning, oil and gas, and eminent domain matters. Conducted legal and legislative research, drafted documents, and assisted with regulatory and property transactions.

Jan 1999 – May 1999 · 4 mos · Austin, Texas · On-site

• Law clerk: Assisted attorney Margaret Ingram in researching and drafting bills / memos on Texas water law, groundwater rights, and real estate property issues for pending legislative reforms. Supported statutory analysis and bill drafting related to land use and resource regulation.

Sep 1996 – Jun 1997 · 9 mos · Houston, Texas Area · On-site

• Trained & supervised 15 + paralegals for international mergers (M&A); Managed onsite paralegal teams in proposed merger if Exxon Chemical Co. and units of Royal Dutch/Shell Group - merger of their petroleum additives businesses ; Assisted in preparing confidential business profiles, creating diligence checklists and tracking methods; drafting requests for due diligence documents / disclosure schedules; tracked due diligence documents; researched and reviewed licenses, permits, intellectual property issues, public records and other relevant issues; reviewed diligence materials, minute books, and company records; trained paralegal staff on document review and production; assisted attorneys & employees with FTC filing compliance; liaison to international Shell offices and outside counsel.

Apr 1995 – Sep 1996 · 1 yr 5 mos · Houston, Texas Area

• Litigation; Insurance Defense; Complex Insurance & Malpractice; Internal Audits of Billing Procedures; Special Client Liaison to AIG; Reviewed and summarized case files, medical records, manufacturer's warranties, insurance company’s policies; interviewed witnesses; prepared case documents; handled expert witnesses; assisted in deposition/ testimony preparation; assisted with out-of-court settlements and trial preparation; assembled trial exhibits, drafted outlines; tracked mediation and trial developments, provided updates to clients.

Sep 1994 – Apr 1995 · 7 mos · Houston, Texas Area

• Conducted in-depth legal and policy research on international energy laws, regulations, and market frameworks affecting petroleum and natural gas operations across multiple jurisdictions; Analyzed foreign investment regimes, privatization structures (including Russia’s “loans-for-shares” reforms), and geopolitical risk impacting cross-border energy transactions; Monitored and synthesized rapidly changing daily market and geopolitical intelligence during a volatile period (1995), including shifts in Russian political and economic conditions affecting global oil markets; Prepared clear, executive-level briefing memoranda and research reports for senior partners advising multinational corporate clients on legal, regulatory, and strategic considerations.

Jun 1994 – Apr 1995 · 10 mos · Houston, Texas, United States · On-site

• Paralegal support to Bob Casey Jr. (partner) representing MUDs (Municipal Utility Districts) in a specialized practice blending public law, real estate, and infrastructure development, including governance documents, regulatory filings, development and bond-related matters, and client development support.