Special Achievement Award, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Appointed/Elected:

Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton on Oct. 23, 2015. Elected in 2016 and 2022. Current term expires Jan. 2029.

Education:

William Mitchell College of Law
J.D. May 2000
Magna Cum Laude
 
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
B.A., Speech Communication, May 1990

Past Employment:

Minnesota State Public Defender
Assistant State Public Defender, Trial Team Attorney, Jan. 2008 - Sept. 2015

• Specialized in forensic science litigation, focus toward DNA typing, forensic pathology, toxicology, breath testing and drug chemistry
• Representing indigent clients in complex felony cases
• Consulted on cases involving forensic science or complex litigation issues

Assistant Third Judicial District Public Defender, Part-time, Aug. 2001 - Jan. 2008

• Represented indigent clients in criminal matters
• Mentor for law clerks and new attorneys in the district

Baker Law Offices, Rochester, MN
Associate Attorney, Aug. 2001 - Jan. 2008

• Private Practice in the area of family and criminal law

Third Judicial District, Dodge County, MN
District Court Law Clerk, Aug. 2000 - Aug. 2001

• Prepared orders, memoranda of law and jury instructions
• Conducted legal research in all areas of law including civil, probate, family, juvenile and criminal law

Baker Law Offices, Rochester, MN       
Law Clerk, May 1997 - June 2000

• Appeared in district court and ALJ proceedings, student practice license
• Preformed legal research on dissolution, family, and juvenile law issues
• Prepared appellate brief, district court pleadings, stipulations, and affidavits
• Conducted client interviews
• Assisted in trial preparation, including preparation of exhibits and witnesses
• Investigated and interviewed potential witnesses

Dodge County District Court, Mantorville, MN
Assistant Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program Coordinator, 1996 - 1997

• Developed Program goals, objectives, and mission statement
• Redesigned standard court order form for Guardian appointment
• Assisted court administrator in developing budget and auditor reports
• Developed program in compliance with Minnesota Supreme Court GAL Task Force Recommendations

Guardian Ad Litem, 1995 - 1998

• Conducted investigation of each case
• Represented the child’s best interest in child protection, juvenile delinquency, custody, and harassment/restraining order cases

Licensed to Practice:

Minnesota, October 2000 - Present

Professional Appointments/Invitations:

• Commissioner, National Commission on Forensic Sciences, Federal Advisory Commission, 2014 - present
• Participant, Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice, “Defining and Measuring Prosecutorial Quality,” Nov. 2015                                                                           

Professional Organizations:

• Member, Minnesota District Judges Association, 2016 - present
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences
  • Fellow, 2013 - present
  • Member, 2011 - 2013
  • Associate Member, 2009 - 2011
  • 2017 Forensic Foundation Education Committee, 2016 - present
  • Secretary, 2017 Jurisprudence Section, 2016 - present
  • 2016 Forensic Science Foundation Education Committee, 2015 - 2016
  • 2015 Forensic Science Foundation Education Committee, 2014 - 2015
  • Jurisprudence Section Chair, 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee, 2013 - 2014
  • Jurisprudence Section Co-Chair, 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee, 2012 - 2013
• Member, Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, 2012 - 2015
• Member, National College of DUI Defense, 2012 - 2015
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2012 - 2015
• Member, Olmsted County Bar Association, 2000 - Present
  • Executive Committee Member, 2004 - 2006
• Member, Women Attorneys of Rochester, 2000 - Present                        
• Member, Dodge County Bar Association, 2000 - Present
• Minnesota Bar Association
  • Member, 2000 - 2007
  • Young Lawyers Division, Rochester Chapter, 2000 - 2004
  • Member, American Bar Association, 2000 - 2005

​Honors/Awards:

• Attorneys of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer Magazine, 2011
• Special Achievement Award, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2011

Faculty and Academic Teaching:

• National Defender Training Project, Dayton, Ohio
  • Public Defender Trial Advocacy Program, 2012 - 2015
  • Cross-Examination Workshop, 2012 - 2013
• Ohio Public Defender, Dayton Ohio
  • Litigating Forensic Science Cases in Ohio, plenary presenter & workshop leader, Mar. 2015
  • Defending Junk Science Cases, plenary presenter & workshop leader, Mar. 2014
• Minnesota State Public Defense, Advance Trial Advocacy Program, 2007 - 2015

Publications and Peer Reviews:

• Journal of Forensic Sciences
  • Peer Reviewer, Jan. 2014
  • Peer Reviewer, Mar. 2013
• Minnesota DWI Deskbook, 1^st & 2^nd ed., Blood Breath & Urine Chapter, Co-Author, published by Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) Continuing Legal Educatio
• America’s Children Still at Risk, A call to Action, Contributor, published by the American Bar Association (ABA) Steering Committee for the Unmet Legal Needs of Children, 2001

Community Service:

• Community Reinforcement and Family Transition Project (CRAFT),
  • Action Team Member, 2012 - 2015
  • Action Team Member, 2008 - 2011
• Rochester Women’s Shelter
  • Board Member, Feb. 2010 - Oct. 2015
  • President, Mar. 2013 - Oct. 2015
  • Vice President, 2011
• Legal Assistance of Olmsted County
  • Board President, 2003 - 2005
  • ​Board Member, 2001 - 2007
• Volunteer, Legal Assistance of Olmsted County
• Volunteer, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
• Volunteer, Olmsted and Mower County Guardian Ad Litem Programs
• Mentor, Summer Youth Mentorship Program, Rochester, MN

Coordinator, League of Women Voters Community Youth Forum
Youth Leader, Appalachia Service Project