Civil Rights Experience

Developed Strategy and Tactics, Corresponded, Communicated, and Conducted Negotiations with all branches of State Government to reach resolution of a civil rights action for the murder of an involuntarily committed Augusta Mental Health Institute patient- $620,000 Settlement.

Trial Attorney, Directed Staff, Supervised Investigation, Determined Strategy and Tactics in a Title VII, Sexual Harassment case against the United States Veterans Hospital- Award $450,000.

Trial Counsel, Researched, Developed and Wrote Analysis which reframe the scope and interpretation of Americans with Disabilities Act in the application of government provided services and police protection for mental health consumers. Barber v. Guay, 910 F. Supp. 790 ( D. Me. 1995)

Trial and Appellate Counsel, Researched and Wrote Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court on First Amendment Rights of Freedom of Association for unmarried couples. Struck v. Kennebec County, 668 A.2d 540 (Me. 1996)

Trial and Appellate Counsel in action expanding the limits of State Human Rights Act in relationship to the Federal Fair Housing Act resulting in a precedent setting decision concerning the appropriate scope of inquiry into a prospective tenant's disability. Robards v. Cotton Mill Associates, 677 A.2d 540 (Me. 1996)

Trial Counsel in Americans with Disabilities Act case involving the ADA's applicability to the State's right to regulate licensing of drivers and the scope of the reasonable accommodation required. Hatch v. Secretary of State, 879 F.Supp. 147 (D. Me. 1995)

Trial and Appellate Co-counsel in Maine Human Rights Action determining whether the threat of physical violence was necessary component to State Civil Rights claim. Phelps v. Colby College, 595 A.2d 403 (Me. 1991)

Trial Counsel in Federal Civil Rights action brought by estate of patient who committed suicide at State Mental Institution claiming substantive and procedural due process violations of state statute entitling patients to humane care and treatment. Estate of Emmons v. Melodie Peet, 950 F.Supp 15 (D. Me. 1996)

Trial and Appellate Counsel in American's with Disabilities Act Case determining the extent of an employer's obligation to initiate an interactive process to ascertain whether a reasonable accommodation is necessary under the Act. Jacques v. Clean-Up Group, 96 F.3d 506 (1st Cir. 1996)

Trial Counsel in Age Discrimination in Employment Act, American's with Disabilities Act and Maine Human Rights Act case determining supervisor's scope of personal liability under anti-discrimination statutes. Quirion v. L.N. Viollette Co., Inc., 897 F. Supp. 18 (D. Me. 1995).

Appellate Co-Counsel in Title VII action involving a question of whether U.S. Department of Justice can scope certify specific allegations of misconduct under the Westfall Act - Lyons v. Pathak, 158 F.3d 605 (1st Cir. 1998)

Elected to the Board of Directors of the Maine Civil Liberties Union

Special Recognition Award by the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Maine State Bar Association for handling pro bono cases in the State of Maine

Guest Lecturer on Civil Rights to Maine Public Schools concerning the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments 1988 -1998

Chief of Enforcement, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Boston, MA. 2001-2002
Developed policies regarding operations of the Enforcement Division; Supervise the preparation of cases for administrative trial; Evaluate complaints and pleadings; Responsible for recommending pre-certification issues of law to the Full Commission; Manage the Enforcement Staff of the MCAD including some 45 Investigators and 15 Attorneys; Worked collaboratively with the General Counsel in advising, formulating and recommending statutory, regulatory and policy formulation to the Commissioners; Primary responsibility for non-defensive Court litigation (Attachments, Attachments on Trustee Process and Injunctions).