I was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and have dedicated my career to expanding access to justice for individuals and families who need it most. I graduated from CUNY School of Law in New York City in 2006, where I focused my studies on immigration law. During law school, I participated in the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Clinic and interned with the nonprofit legal organization Immigrant Initiatives, gaining hands-on experience representing vulnerable immigrant communities.

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After passing the New York and Iowa bar exams, I began my legal career in New York City working with the Community Legal Resource Network (CLRN) and the Citizenship and Immigration Project (now Citizenship Now!). In this role, I represented clients in deportation proceedings, assisted with green card and citizenship applications, and guided asylum seekers through the complex and often daunting process of obtaining legal status and ultimately U.S. citizenship.

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Following the birth of my first child, I returned to Iowa with my family and joined Iowa Legal Aid, where I worked as a staff attorney for more than six years. As a legal aid attorney, I developed broad experience across multiple areas of civil law, including housing, family, domestic abuse, consumer protection, tax, and administrative law. This work reinforced my commitment to serving low-income Iowans and highlighted a critical gap; many people earn too much to qualify for free legal services but still cannot afford traditional private representation.

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To help bridge that gap, we founded Community Lawyers of Iowa, which has now been serving clients for over 11 years. Our mission has always been to provide high-quality, affordable legal services to individuals and families who might otherwise go without representation. As the firm has grown, our work has become increasingly focused on immigration law, while we continue to provide limited probate and estate planning services addressing everyday legal needs.

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I currently live in Johnston with my wife and our two children. Outside of work, I enjoy cycling, camping, and board sports. 

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Thank you for considering Community Lawyers of Iowa. I look forward to working with you to help you achieve your goals.