Syracuse University College of Law

University of Florida

Program Analyst at Federal Highway Administration

Provides analysis on legislative and regulatory matters, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Suspension & Debarment (S&D), and other legal programs. Reviews all of the regulatory and non-rulemaking documents to be published in the Federal Register. Responds to Agency-wide requests by staff and senior officials for information about and editing for FHWA rulemaking and guidance documents. Serves with authority as Federal Register liaison . Maintains legislative and regulatory records and tracks legislation to provide status of legislative activities. Drafts, edits, and assembles documents to support Agency involvement in Congressional hearings, Assembles and submits reports for rulemaking compliance with the Congressional Review Act. Possesses knowledge of the Office of the Secretary's correspondence clearance process. Acts as a direct point of contact for the FOIA program for program/division offices, the Office of the Secretary, other modes within the Department of Transportation, and for outside customers. Develops FOIA correspondence policy and procedures. Edits and revises sample letters for content, clarity, and consistency with the FOIA. Facilitates discussions to resolve FOIA issues regarding exemptions, case law, statutory and regulatory requirements, extensions, fee waivers, and release of documents. Acts as the Agency FOIA specialist when appropriate, including making recommendations for technical changes to the FOIA database, presenting data to FHWA management to address administrative aspects of the FOIA team, and managing large requests by assembling a team and planning, assigning, and establishing work priorities. Assists the S&D program by identifying and analyzing problems, ascertaining relevant facts, and constructing memoranda and decision notices. Presents proposed decisions to senior officials. Utilizes and maintains the UPACS and CCMS databases for management of FOIA requests and appeals, and correspondence and legislative documents.

Federal Highway Administration

Program Analyst

Edited and scored standardized writing assignments according to protocol provided by PDRI and its client. Identified skilled agents who were most capable of succeeding on the job using valid and reliable assessments to review for accurate content and conformance to the guidelines. Used sound judgment to evaluate and determine the quality of applicants to government programs. Measured competencies by focusing on use of correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling, attention to detail, problem solving, reason, and presentation of ideas. Communicated well with team members using strong interpersonal skills to successfully reach consensus, integrate and synthesize results, and make conclusions on human resources and personnel services. Independently planned, coordinated, and organized workloads in order to avoid conflict with peers and submit reports under demanding time goals. Facilitated debriefing about the completion of each task by arranging conference calls and submitting final reports. Routinely took the lead of assessment groups to reach consensus in results, which often required finding a compromise between conflicting viewpoints. Regularly lauded for my mild manner in working with the team while maintaining exquisite attention to detail in consensus reports. Used spreadsheets to accurately score and track documents and desktop software to create consensus reports and other communication. Contributed to the overall improvement in the pool of candidates recommended for the organization.

PDRI

Assessor

Improved litigation preparation by examining, analyzing, processing, and interpreting complex documents containing issues of a highly complex scientific or technological nature, in order to respond to discovery requests in litigation, involving matters such as securities, pharmaceuticals, government contracts, anti-trust, and class actions under demanding regulatory time frames. Conducted pre-trial, first-level, and second-level document reviews, privilege reviews, and discovery analysis for large law firms by evaluating sensitive corporate materials, including contracts, grants, and legal notices. Managed documents by utilizing legal software systems to code and track various types of electronic-based documents based on confidential and/or privileged communication, as well as potential impact of information on client. Performed quality control on team members' work product to ensure the client received a top quality product. Created and maintained privilege logs. Conducted search queries of multi-million page databases to perform fact investigations, prepare for witness depositions, and respond to discovery requests.

Excelerate Discovery; Kelly Law Registry; Compliance; Hudson Legal; LegalSource; Special Counsel

Attorney

Researched and analyzed writing patterns of various judges and justices in support of ongoing legal writing guide manuscript.  Assisted in developing a framework for legal writing exercises to be used both in manuscript and classroom exercises.  Supported classroom functions, including reviewing and editing students’ papers for proper citations and technical errors and corresponding with students regarding performance standards.

Research Assistant

Translated complex passages from the United States Bankruptcy Code into lay terms for application to particular sets of facts. Conducted research using Westlaw and Lexis and drafted decisions by applying laws, regulations, precedents, and practices presented within trials in the context of contested matters and adversary proceedings, often by analyzing applicable statutory code and clauses. Researched, analyzed, and composed informal memoranda and bench memos on issues of fact and law while working closely with law clerks. Verbally justified controversial findings, recommendations, and conclusions to law clerks before memorializing them in writing. Observed court proceedings, including evidentiary hearings and trials, and settlement negotiations with sophisticated outside counsel. Assisted law clerks by checking legal citations.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York

Extern

Researched, wrote, edited, and published the department’s quarterly publication, summarizing major developments in law and legislation by tracking reports from a large number of media outlets. Conducted legal research and wrote internal memoranda to guide and support HRC’s efforts in several areas, including field plan compliance with state campaign finance laws; taxability of domestic partnership benefits; and federal judicial appointment nominations. Participated in coalition meetings addressing hate crime policy and legislation as a representative of the organization. Successfully lobbied members of Congress for inclusion of gender identity in the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act legislation.

Human Rights Campaign

McLeary Law Fellow

Researched and wrote legal memoranda and various motions for use by attorneys in motion hearings. Formulated and drafted subpoenas to request information from witnesses. Assisted attorneys’ pre-trial preparation, voir dire, and trial conduct. Conducted client interviews for initial appearances, bond hearings, and office conferences. Researched and wrote jury instruction during trial that had a material impact in acquittal of defendant by shifting the burden of proof. Assisted in case development, including investigative strategies. Participated in community outreach programs for children. Observed settlement negotiations involving sophisticated outside counsel. Provided assistance at trial by preparing exhibits.

OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Intern

Worked with Congressional liaison to compile, edit, and write several agency briefing books. Drafted news releases, updated contact lists, assembled media kits, and compiled news clippings to assist in media relations. Processed and returned Freedom of Information Act requests.

Joshua Boudreaux