"During 22 years as a prosecutor, I successfully tried over 100 felony cases, with only one ‘Not Guilty’ verdict."

CURRENTLY, Private Practice – Specializing in Litigation in the areas of Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination. My firm also provides expert trial attorney services to other law firms.  During my time in private practice, I have represented clients whose cases resulted in multi-million dollar resolutions.

The goal of my practice is to continue my efforts on behalf of those who have been victimized. Our Constitutional Rights must be respected. Given my years trying homicides, rapes and other complex litigation, I know how to build cases that are successful at trial.  Consequently my clients reap the benefit of this experience through settlements or positive jury verdicts.

OFFICE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT ATTORNEY – June, 1981-January 2004)

• Managed and oversaw all day-to-day operations of the District Attorney’s Office Including trial strategy, plea negotiations, charging decisions in high profile case, etc.
• Responsible for directing and supervising over 100 attorneys and a total of over 250 staff members.
• Acting District Attorney whenever the District Attorney was unavailable.
• Formulated and implemented office-wide policies and procedures.
• Managed personnel matters including hiring staff, staff development, discipline and training.
• Worked closely with the District Attorney, the Chief of Police, the Sheriff and Superior Court Judges.
• Over 20 years experience as a manager, supervisor, community leader and prosecutor.
• Successfully tried 70-100 felony cases during my career, with the Jury returning only one "Not Guilty" verdict.

• Managed and oversaw day-to-day operations of all twenty departments within the Criminal Division.
• Supervised managing attorneys of each department within the Criminal Division.
• Worked closely with the department heads of the San Francisco Police Department.

• Successfully tried homicide cases, in addition to completing all     management duties related to the unit.
• Supervised all trial attorneys with the unit.
• Worked closely with the police lieutenants and inspector assigned to the     Homicide Unit in the police departments.
• Responsible for charging decision on all homicide cases.

• Successfully tried many Rape and Child Molestation cases while managing the unit.
• Managed the day-to-day operation of the unit.
• Supervised all trial attorneys within the unit.
• Responsible for charging decision on all cases within the unit.
• Worked closely with members of the community and community leaders.

MAYOR’S OFFICE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE – January 2004-January 2006

Director

• After being in the DA’s office for 22 years, I appointed to head the Mayors Office of Criminal Justice. In my capacity, I oversaw all matter in  the criminal justice system.  I was also responsible for funding over     thirty community-based organizations, in the area of criminal justice.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – January, 2006 – Retirement, August, 2006   

• Deputy City Attorney appointed one of the Chief Labor Negotiators on  behalf of the City and County of San Francisco.
  
  

JACKSON CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL BUSINESS LEAGUE, Jackson, Mississippi

• Prepared feasibility studies and loan proposals for minority and small businesses.
• Worked closely with small and minority businesses via community outreach.
•  Responsible for all media related to the office.

EDUCATION

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA.
Jurist Doctorate, 1980, Admitted to California State Bar, 1981

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, Jackson, Mississippi
Bachelor of Science in Business Education, 1973    

Experience & Credentials

Practice Areas: Employment Discrimination; Labor Law; Litigation; Criminal Law; Personal Injury
 
Education: Santa Clara University, J.D., Jackson State University, B.S.
 
Admitted: 1981