Bio
I started my career as a staff attorney at Disability Rights Oregon, primarily defending individuals facing involuntary psychiatric holds. I frequently litigated constitutional and evidentiary issues, helped clients articulate their goals and understand legal implications under exceptionally difficult circumstances, coordinated with hospital staff, and became familiar with the many institutional barriers to accessing resources people need for their safe survival in the community. Doing this work made it clear how closely linked labor issues are to the constitutional rights of people forced to survive through incomplete and flawed systems. Without legal advocacy, those who are doing the hard work of providing services are limited in their ability to advocate for safer, better working conditions that directly impact their own working conditions as well as the people they serve. This applies to many vital programs, including schools, health care and other public services.
While at DRO, I was active in our staff union, which stoked my desire to work directly in union side advocacy. My experience affords me the ability to empathize with those juggling high stress jobs while putting in the immense work it takes to do successful labor organizing.
I believe the workers whose labor conditions seldom reflect the importance and difficulty of their jobs deserve diligent legal support, and I am excited to further develop expertise in public education, special education issues, nurse licensing defense, and more, while getting results for workers alongside experienced attorneys and support staff at Bennett Hartman.
In my free time, I serve as the vice chair of the board of directors for the Mental Health Association of Portland.
Joined Firm
2025
Admitted to Practice
- 2023
Education
- Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College (2023)
- Reed College (2016)