US-ILC REPRESENTS IN ALL 50 STATES
US-ILC has given me the opportunity to apply the skill-set I have accumulated throughout the years. Coming from a nonprofit background, I found joining US-ILC especially rewarding because it allowed me to serve a larger number of clients while working in a setting with greater resources. I appreciate that the firm’s structure enables me to use both my legal and leadership skills to strengthen the legal team across various processes.
I have nearly 18 years of legal experience. I began my career in 2006 as a paralegal at a small law firm that required hands-on experience and direct client interaction. After five years, I transitioned into the nonprofit sector. I earned partial accreditation from the Department of Justice in 2014, which allowed me to represent individuals before USCIS. In 2016, I participated in intense training sessions related to court processes, received full DOJ accreditation, and began representing clients before USCIS, EOIR, and the BIA.
As a Legal Operations Training Manager, I lead the Litigation Pod within the Legal Department. My role primarily entails overseeing operations, quality control, and process improvement to ensure efficiency across the legal team. I also meet individually with paralegals to review case strategies and maintain workflow, and I perform packet reviews as part of quality control. In essence, I serve as the bridge between the legal teams and operations.
My previous nonprofit roles required providing direct representations and consultations, as well as people management, and participation in programs that equipped me with leadership skills. We had partnerships with many statewide and national organizations, where I acted as the face of the immigration department for the company. This emphasized my leadership abilities that now benefit my current role.
In my free time, I participate in a weekly trivia group with friends, and I also belong to a book club. My preferred reading genre is historical fiction, and specifically World War Two novels. I also enjoy cooking and experimenting with various recipes to create five-course meals.