Attorney

Posted on: 2006-04-11

Emily Patterson Attorney-at-Law 610 W. Clay No. 4 Houston, Texas 77019 (281) 468-9136 [email protected] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Attorney May 2005-present; Law Clerk, Jan. 2004-May 2005 CORNELIUS & SALHAB Work for law firm practicing state criminal law at both the trial and appellate levels. Perform legal research and write appellate briefs on issues of federal and state constitutional law and criminal procedure. Research and write trial memoranda. Draft court documents, including pleadings, motions, and orders. Draft discovery requests and responses. Draft client correspondence. · Wrote memorandum of law resulting in return of property seized under Texas civil asset forfeiture statue, including an automobile and large sum of cash. · Wrote brief on appeal arguing police officer illegally arrested appellee outside jurisdiction. · Wrote brief on appeal arguing trial court unconstitutionally denied defendant right to separate punishment hearing after adjudication of guilt. · Wrote brief on appeal arguing state failed to elect specific act on which to rely for conviction in violation of appellee’s constitutional right to notice and an opportunity to defend. Law Clerk Spring 2003 257TH FAMILY DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY Worked with judge and court personnel during docket call. Performed legal research. Assisted court coordinator with case management, including contacting attorneys and pro se parties and sending scheduling orders and dismissal notices. Law Clerk Summer 2002 MORIARTY & LEYENDECKER Assisted partners during trial of federal civil anti-trust case. Summarized depositions and trial transcripts. Assisted partner in drafting opening statement. Interviewed clients. Performed legal research. Paralegal Feb. 2000-Dec. 2001 LAW OFFICE OF MARCUS E. FAUBION Worked for attorney in private civil practice. Drafted discovery requests and responses. Interviewed clients on discovery matters and reviewed documents submitted by clients in response to discovery requests. Assisted in drafting pleadings. Filed court documents. Researched county property records. Associate Consultant 1996, 1998, 2000-2001 LEE A. WOODS, LOBBYIST & POLITICAL CONSULTANT Researched policy issues and wrote reports. Edited and wrote copy for political brochures and other forms of written campaign communication. Used election statistics to analyze voting precincts and predict election outcomes. Acted as liaison between primary consultant and staff of multiple political campaigns. Compiled campaign finance reports for submission to Texas Ethics Commission. Managed and organized information databases. Maintained accounts for both the primary consultant and a statewide political campaign. News Reporter Jan. 1999-Dec. 2000 EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS Reported and wrote news stories covering the state and county governments, a local school district, water issues, the economy, electric utility deregulation, and other important issues. Took photographs. Covered the fire department and emergency medical services. Wrote feature stories on topics of community interest. Foreign-Trade Zone Consultant Jan. 1997-Oct. 1997 IMS WORLDWIDE, INC. Wrote Foreign-Trade Zone applications on behalf of public entities, such as county governments and port authorities, for submission to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Foreign-Trade Zones Program. Performed cost-benefit analyses using the Harmonized Tariff System of the United States for companies interested in participating in the Foreign-Trade Zones Program to facilitate import-export operations. Drafted newspaper and magazine articles. Wrote proposals. Performed market research. BAR ADMISSION Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas—May, 5, 2005 EDUCATION Juris Doctorate, Dec. 2004 SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW Houston, Texas G.P.A.: 3.061, top 25 percent Honors: Dean’s Citizenship Award; Lyndon B. Johnson Civil Rights Award; Highest Grade Award, National Security Law; Dean’s Honor List, Spring and Fall 2004; Semi-finalist, 2003 Bell Memorial Moot Court Competition Activities: Articles Editor, Currents International Trade Law Journal; Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union; Founder, ACLU@STCL Human Trafficking Project IRISH CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY Studied international criminal law, international human rights law, and human rights litigation in United States courts. Summer 2003 Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Minor in International Studies, Dec. 1995 ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY Austin, Texas Honors: Magna Cum Laude Graduate, University Honors Program COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Member Jan. 2004-present MAYOR’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE AFFAIRS Selected to participate in committee charged with assisting the Mayor of the City of Houston, Texas, in formulating and implementing programs, services, policies, and legislation that promote nonbiased and nondiscriminatory practices in the delivery of services and benefits to immigrants and refugees. Volunteer Attorney Jun. 2005-present HOUSTON REFUGEE PRO BONO PROJECT Provide pro bono legal representation for indigent political asylum seekers. Obtained asylum for individual from Equatorial Guinea with political persecution claim. Volunteer Attorney Nov. 2005-present TEXAS ACCOUNTANTS & LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS Provide pro bono legal services for artists. Obtained dismissal of case charging artist with failing to obtain peddler’s permit prior to selling works of art of private property. Advisory Counsel Dec. 2005-present SUDANESE EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION Assist group of Sudanese “Lost Boys” in formation of non-profit corporation to provide educational, vocational, and career guidance to Sudanese refugees. Executive Director and Founder Feb. 2000–Dec. 2004 30TH PARALLEL, INC. Founded and operated all-volunteer, non-profit organization providing information for and assistance to refugees, primarily those from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro. Disseminated information throughout the refugee community. Published monthly newsletter in English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. Referred clients to organizations that provide specialized assistance. Taught English as a second language. Advocated for refugees in situations where language proved a barrier. Helped clients adjust to culture of United States. Operated telephone hotline. Assisted refugees with job searches. LANGUAGES French, advanced, not fluent