Appointed/Elected:

Elected November 6, 2018. Current term expires Jan. 2025.

Education:

Juris Doctor, Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN, May 1998

• Honors and Activities:
  • Dean’s List
  • Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition
  • Asian Pacific American Law Student Association

Master of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, U of MN, Mpls., May 1995

Bachelor of Science, U of MN, Mpls., MN, June 1993

• Major: Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
• Honors and Activities:
  • Dean’s List
  • Aerospace Engineering National Honors Society
  • University Scholars
  • Hmong Minnesota Student Association, Vice-president

Employment:

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, Sept. 2001 - Dec. 31, 2018, Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office

Adult Unit, Minneapolis, MN (Sept. 2001 - June 2006)
Suburban Unit, Brooklyn Center, MN (June 2006 - May 2012)
Juvenile Unit, Minneapolis, MN (May 2012 - Dec. 31, 2018)

Represent indigent juveniles and adults in misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, felonies, and delinquencies; represent children and parents in Children in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) and permanency cases. 

Try jury and court trials from misdemeanors to felonies, including Murder in the First Degree, and CHIPS/permanency cases.

Conduct evidentiary hearings to resolve disputed legal issues.

Appear with and/or for clients at all stages of court hearings.

Communicate and interact with clients in culturally appropriate manners to effectively assist them in their decision makings.

Daily interactions, orally or writing, through motions and emails, with judges, prosecutors, clients and other parties to implement and execute necessary orders and decisions.

Research, analyze and interpret current and past cases and legislative statutes, rules and procedures to effectively represent clients’ interests.

STAFF ATTORNEY, May 1999 - Sept. 2001, Neighborhood Justice Center, Inc., St. Paul, MN

Represented clients on criminal charges, from petty offenses to felony crimes.

Performed all necessary responsibilities to prepare cases for trial, such as investigation and research and writing legal memorandums of law.

Attended community meetings and conducted educational community workshops.

Represented diverse clients all over the twin cities, including Dakota County, Ramsey County, Washington County, and others.

Professional Memberships:

Hmong American Bar Association, St. Paul, MN

• Board of Director, Jan. 2015 - Dec. 2016, Jan. 2017 - Jan. 2019
• Vice-President, Jan. 2011 - Dec. 2012
• President, Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2014

Coordinated Continuing Legal Education courses, organized fundraisers, chaired meetings, mediated disputed issues, and planned activities to fulfill missions.

MN Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Member, 2012 - Present

MN Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

MN Bar Association

Professional and Community Activities:

Hmong 18 Council of Minnesota, Legal Advisor, Jan. 2016 - Dec. 2017

Hmong Cultural Center, Advisor, January 2017-Present

Immigrant Law Center of MN, St. Paul, MN

• Board of Director, Aug. 2015 - Present
• Board of Director Vice President, April 2017 - June 2018

Reviewed policies, discussed activities, and voted on motions to achieve and meet the missions of the association.

Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce, St. Paul, MN, Secretary, Jan. 2018 - Nov. 2018

Neighborhood House, St. Paul, MN, Board of Director, 1999 - 2000

Yang Wang Meng Association of USA, Board of Director, Mar. 2012 - Feb. 2016
Organized meetings, fundraisers, community events, and activities relating to the missions.