Attorney with extensive background in mediation and communication skills that build towards consensus in dispute resolution and avoidance of adversarial proceedings.  Highly skilled lecturer and trainer with diverse experience in education and business organizations including key positions in policy, administration, and instruction in higher and secondary education organizations.  Possess excellent consensus and team-building skills enhanced by high functioning communication, organization, and analytical abilities. 

EDUCATION
 

Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, PA
Juris Doctorate, May, 1987
The Jurist, staff, 1983-84
Brehon Law Society, 1984-87, President 1986-87
Internship:  Office of the City Solicitor, Philadelphia, PA, 1987

West Chester State College, West Chester, PA
Graduate work towards Master of Arts in Speech Communications, GPA 3.8
Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications, May, 1979
Honors: Dean's List, 1975-79; West Chester Alumni Assoc. Scholarship, 1978

Harvard Law School, Program of Instruction for Lawyers (PIL), Mediation Training, June, 2005.

Center for Dispute Solutions (CDS), Washington, DC, Advanced Mediation Training, March, 2006.

New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Certification in Mediation Training, approved by the NJ Administrative Office of the Courts, October, 2002.

NJ Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Mediation Skills and Training, NJ Institute of Continuing Legal Education, June 2002 

Community Justice Institute, Mediation Training for the Courts, under direction of NJ Administrative Office of the Courts, September 1988.

PRIVATE PRACTICE
Established and maintained corporations and limited liability companies. Drafted shareholders and members agreements.  Maintained records and filings in compliance with state and federal laws. Provided legal representation and advice on all matters including corporate affairs, contracts, licensing agreements, lease or purchase of real property and equipment, intellectual property, and human resources. Appeared in federal and state courts as well as retained and supervised outside counsel. 1992-2002

CLARK LADNER FORTENBAUGH & YOUNG, Philadelphia, PA and Haddonfield, NJ
Litigation Associate
Responsible for all aspects of commercial, personal injury, and property damage litigation from investigation, pleadings, and discovery through settlement or trial. Negotiated, drafted, and reviewed contracts for commercial clients. 1988-1989

SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY, Atlantic County, NJ
Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Michael R. Connor
Analyzed motions and briefs, conducted legal research, and wrote memoranda of law.  Served as mediator for court-mandated dispute resolution program. 1987-1988

OFFICE OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY, Philadelphia, PA
Law Clerk
Conducted legal research, prepared memoranda, assisted with trial preparation and provided support to Criminal and Civil Division attorneys. 1986-1987

CUMBERLAND COUNTY COLLEGE, Vineland, NJ
Acting Chair, Business and Professional Studies Division, 2003-4
Managed division including hiring and supervising staff as well as full-time and adjunct faculty, managing student issues, scheduling classes, managing budget, writing and editing materials.

Professor and Program Coordinator, Paralegal Studies
Manage paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association. Hire and supervise adjunct professors. Review and revise curriculum. Manage budget including grant requests and spending. Advise students on academic, career, and transfer options. Courses taught include Introduction to the Legal System, Civil Litigation, Law Office Management, Property Transactions, Legal Research and Writing, and Business Law. 
Chair, Institutional Assessment Committee Served on Academic Council, Marketing and Retention, Affirmative Action, and Professional Development Committees. Assistant Professor 1989-1994; Associate Professor 1994-2000; Professor 2000-present. 

ROWAN UNIVERSITY, Glassboro, NJ
Adjunct Faculty Member
Teach Communication Law with emphasis on First Amendment and ethics issues in mass media. 2000-present

WIDENER UNIVERSITY, Chester PA and Wilmington DE

Adjunct Professor
Taught Contracts, The Legal Environment of Business, Effective Public Speaking, and Business Communications. 1981-1990. Faculty Advisor to University College Council of Students, 1986-1988.  Distinguished Service Award for Teaching Excellence 1988.

Admissions Assistant 
Provided support to the Dean of Admissions and the Admissions Committee from initial recruitment through financial aid awards.  Reviewed applications and made recommendations based upon standards set by the committee.  Recruited and interviewed applicants. Served as administration liaison to LaRaza Student Organization.  Organized and coordinated recruitment efforts of Black American Law Student Association (BALSA) and LaRaza.   1973-1976

COMMUNITY SERVICE
 

Clearview Regional High School Board of Education, Mullica Hill, NJ  1994-2003
Elected to office representing Mantua Township.  Served as Chair of Public Policy and Legislation Committee and Member of Student Activities, Finance, and Buildings and Grounds Committees. Served while acquiring land and planning, designing, financing and construction of two multi-million dollar addition and renovation projects to middle and high school buildings.

Mantua Township Zoning Board, Mantua Township, NJ    2002-2003
Review and vote upon applications for variances to township ordinances.
 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
 

Admitted to Federal and State Courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Member, American Bar Association and New Jersey Bar Association. 
Mediator, Small Claims Court, Superior Court of NJ.
Appointed Member, NJ Supreme Court Committee on Paralegal Education and Regulation, 1992-1999.
Member, NJ Bar Foundation Mock Trial Committee, 1995-present.
Consultant, Licensure Committee of the Commission on Workforce Development, American Association of Community Colleges, Washington, DC, 1998-present.
Program Speaker, Crisis in America, Sept. 11: A Six-Month Retrospective. Topic: Civil Liberties and the Academic Community. Cumberland County College, March 12, 2002 and Sept. 11: A One Year Retrospective, Topic: Constitutional Rights and The Patriots Act. Sept. 11, 2002.
Speaker, Avoiding Claims of Sexual Harassment, Cumberland County College President’s Council and Faculty Association.
Speaker, To Approve or Not To Approve: ABA Approval and Paralegal Education, Annual Conference, American Association of Community Colleges, April, 2001.
Speaker, Effective Client Interviewing Techniques, New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education seminar, Effective Communications Skills for Lawyers.

CONTINUING LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
 

NJ School Board Attorneys Annual Seminar, 1996-2002
National School Board Attorneys Annual Conference, 1996-2001
Education Law Conference, Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, NH, July 2001 and 2002
Research Papers: Of Thee I Sing: The Use of Sacred Music in Public School Music Programs and The Use of Mediation in Higher Education