What drew you to the law?

I had college experience surrounded by activism. I learned as much about power structures, protest, and advocating for inclusivity from my peers as I did in class. I saw law as a way to enhance this skill set and help me develop insights into our legal systems.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I enjoy seeing students develop critical perspectives on the law. It’s a steep learning to curve just to be able to absorb case law. My favorite moment is seeing students move past simply understating the status quo, and begin to challenge the premise(s) of courts’ ruling. Being able to identify justice gaps is a critical moment in developing a passion for lawyering. 

What do you hope students gain from your courses?

I’m happiest if a student leaves a class discussion dissatisfied with some schism between the ethos of the law and its application. I hope students feel inspired by shifts in law that have created a better world, confident in identifying current justice gaps, and prepared with the tools to discuss and address injustices.

What did you do prior to entering academia?

I worked as a public defense attorney at two non-profit organizations:  one a federal defender in California, the other a community-based defense office in Harlem, NY. As a defense attorney I worked closely with social workers, investigators, immigration, family and housing attorneys.

What are you passionate about outside of the law?

I love oral history. I’ve captured a few video and audio oral histories with women that have changed their communities that one day might be a complete project. I love documentaries (especially related to criminal law). My downtime is lively -- my partner and kids are entertaining people. We like live music & dancing.

What are your research interests?

I research different aspects of criminal legal systems; I am interested in alternatives to mass incarceration. I have written about women and pretrial detention, the impact of trauma from pretrial detention, and the historic experiences of women in prison. I try to prioritize work immersed in the experiences of people who are imprisoned, people formerly imprisoned, and directly affected communities.