WHAT DO YOU DO AT SENIORLAW CENTER?
In my role as a Supervising Attorney, I have the privilege of both personally engaging in direct client service myself & supervising others who do so.
WHY DO YOU WORK AT SENIORLAW CENTER?
Throughout my over 20 years as a practicing attorney, I have been honored to serve individuals from many different communities which are considered “marginalized” within today’s society. It is important to me to be able to give “voice” to those who may perceive themselves, and/or be perceived by others, as “voiceless,” and it is the blessing of my life to have been given the opportunity to advocate for these individuals.
HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR WORK AT SENIORLAW CENTER?
My commitment to making SeniorLAW Center more responsive and more accessible to the Spanish-speaking senior community, who often face crises of housing, family violence, abuse and financial exploitation.
LEADERSHIP (Professional)
In addition to my various “day jobs,” I was honored to serve on the boards of directors for both the PA affiliate, and Greater Philadelphia Chapter, of the American Civil Liberties Union and to serve as an officer, for several years, for the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Public Interest Section, culminating with my tenure as Chair of the Public Interest Section in 2013.
JOINED STAFF
December 2025
BEFORE SENIORLAW CENTER
Prior to coming to SLC, I had a very long career as a public interest attorney working in the governmental & non-profit sectors. I worked as an assistant public defender, for several years, early in my career. I then worked in nonprofit legal services organizations — first, as a legal director of an LGBT civil rights organization; then, as the legal director of a Muslim American civil rights organization. I subsequently worked in private practice litigating federal civil rights lawsuits against correctional & law enforcement agencies.
HAILS FROM
Originally from a small town on the VA-WV border, I am proudly Appalachian born & raised — though I have now lived in the Philadelphia area for more than 20 years & now proudly call Philadelphia my “home.”
EDUCATION
PUBLICATIONS
- “Is Brown the New Black?: American Muslims, Inherent Propensity for Violence, and America’s Racial History” Washington and Lee Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, 20 Wash. & Lee J. Civil Rts. & Soc. Just. 3 (Dec. 2013) “Federal Grand Juries and Non-Criminal Investigations,” Legal Intelligencer (May 31, 2013).
- How to Litigate a School Bullying Case” Pennsylvania Bar Institute Press (course book chapter) (April 12, 2013).
- Brown Skin, Funny Names, Documentary Film, (featured cast member) (Released January 2013).
- “Is the Obama Administration’s Recent Decision Regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) a Giant Step Towards Equality for Same-Sex Couples?” Upon Further Review (April 18, 2011).
- “School Bullying and Education: The Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2010,” Upon Further Review (October 8, 2010). “PA Lacks Statewide Protection for LGBT Employees,” Legal Intelligencer (September 27, 2010).
- “Pennsylvania Court Reverses Long-Standing Presumption Against Homosexual Parents in Custody Cases,” Upon Further Review (March 4, 2010).
- The Real Battle for LGBT Rights in Pennsylvania, Legal Intelligencer (June 22, 2009).
PRESENTATIONS
- My Speech is Better Than Your Speech,” Civics for Grownups course co-sponsored by the ACLU-PA’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter and the Northampton Free Library. (Presenter & Course Planner, August 18, 2016)
- “Fighting Words: Free Speech in the 21st Century” Annual Chapter Meeting, ACLU-PA Greater Philadelphia Chapter. (Panel Moderator & Event Organizer, April 21, 2016).
- “Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and ‘National Security’ as Justification for National Origin Discrimination,” remarks following a screening of PBS Documentary Of Civil Rights and Wrongs. (Presenter, March 13, 2014).
AWARDS/HONORS
- ACLU-PA, Board of Directors (2013-2016).
- ACLU-Philadelphia, Board of Directors (2012 – 2016).
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Board of Governors, Public Interest Representative (2014).
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Public Interest Section Chair (2013).
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Award Recipient, Cheryl A. Ingram Advocate for Justice Award (2010).
- ACLU-WV, Board of Directors (2004), member-at-large (2002-2004).
- ACLU-WV Charleston Metro Area Chapter, co-founder & officer (2002-2004).
- “Best Oralist” (Oral Argument Winner), John W. Davis Moot Court Competition, Washington & Lee University School of Law (2001).