Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION

 Concordia University Irvine, California   expected 2022

Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, GPA: 4.00/4.00

Relevant Coursework: clinical psychopathology and diagnosis, theory and practice of assessment, counseling skills, advanced counseling skills, psychological theories, group theory and practice, social and cultural foundations of mental health counseling, human growth, and development, legal and ethical issues.

 Chicago-Kent College of Law Chicago, Illinois Juris Doctor 1998

Dean’s List two semesters

CALI Achievement Award for the highest grade in Legal Drafting

Chicago-Kent Scholarship recipient

 The University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago Illinois

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology & Criminal Justice 1994

High Distinction in Criminal Justice for GPA: 5.00/5.00

Honors College member

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

License to Practice Law, State of Illinois

Mandated Abuse Reporter Certificate, California Department of Social Services

Disaster Mental Health Certificate, American Red Cross

The Science of Wellbeing Certificate, Yale University

HIPAA Safeguards & Best Practices Certificate, CE Learning Systems

Coaching Skills Training, Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research   2021 – Present

Townsend Institute for Leadership & Counseling, Concordia University Irvine, California

Developed treatment plans using the I CAN START model and DSM-V for anxiety disorders, personality disorders, adjustment disorder, and bipolar disorder

Multicultural considerations in counseling diverse groups such as military, African Americans, women, older adults, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Latinx, American Indians, and Alaska Natives

Ethical dilemmas in intimate partner abuse intervention

Overcoming medical professionals’ reluctance to seek mental health care as community needs project

Researched and developed Betrayal Trauma Therapy Group program

Human growth and development from infancy through late adulthood including character development

Psychological theories including: psychoanalytical, psychodynamic, Adlerian, existentialism, Gestalt, reality, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, emotional coherence, feminist, and postmodern theories

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 R Consulting Company Chicago, Illinois    

President, Owner & Operator 2011 – 2021

Oversaw development and managed operations of a multi-concept restaurant group, select accomplishments include:

— Developed and oversaw eight restaurants from concept to full-scale operation in four years as first-time operator and grew annual gross sales from $1M to $12M in four years

— Merchant of the Year award in 2014 by Downtown Oak Park

— Nicholas Award recipient in 2012 from the Oak Park Development Corporation for making a significant investment in the business community

BL Restaurant Group Holdings, LLC Chicago, Illinois                                                                     

General Counsel & Vice President 2005 – 2011

— Oversaw legal affairs of national restaurant companies, select accomplishments include:

— Oversaw multi-million-dollar sale transaction of Bar Louie® assets to an affiliate of multi-billion-dollar private equity firm Sun Capital Partners

— Negotiated more than 40 complex commercial real estate leases in first year of employment resulting in strategic growth

Texas Bankers Association Austin, Texas                                                                                                               

Deputy General Counsel               2003 – 2005

Assistant General Counsel            2002 – 2003

— Counseled leadership and members on legal issues and engaged in government relations, select accomplishments include:

— Created political action campaign leading to 62% increase in donations in the first year

— Analyzed more than 10,000 legislative measures during six legislative sessions

Haynes & Boone, LLP Austin, Texas 2001 – 2002

Associate Attorney

— Represented clients in proceedings, developed legal strategies, performed legal research, and drafted court briefs, select accomplishments include:

— Secured return of more than $2 million fraudulently diverted to offshore accounts

— Negotiated settlement of securities fraud case for less than 2% of demand

353rd District Court Austin, Texas 1999 – 2001

Judicial Clerk-Staff Attorney

— Assisted judge by attending court, researching and drafting court opinions, and serving as court liaison, select accomplishments include:

— Drafted over 35 bench memoranda for presiding judge analyzing the law and evidence of cases valuing in excess of $100 million

— Researched and drafted speeches and articles for various legal education programs

Office of the Attorney General Austin, Texas   1998 – 1999

Law Offices of Jennifer Prager Sodaro Law Clerk Chicago, Illinois 1996 – 1998

— Researched legal issues, drafted pleadings, observed court proceedings

Oak Park Public School Districts 97 and 200 Substitute Teacher Oak Park, Illinois 1994 – 1995

— Taught lesson plans, assessed student performance, and maintained classroom order

PUBLICATIONS

Numerous  legal  articles  including:

— “BSA/AML Scrutiny: The Pressure is Still On,” Texas Banking, Vol. 94, No. 4, April 2005

— “How the Check 21 Act Impacts the Thumbprint Program,” Texas Banking, Vol. 93, No. 11, November 2004

— “FACT Act:  Existing FCRA Credit Areas Extended and Identity Theft Measures Added,” Texas Banking, Vol. 93, No. 1, January 2004

— “Treasury Announces USA Patriot Act Final Rules Will Not Be Changed,” Texas Banking, Vol. 92, No. 11, November 2003

— “USA Patriot Act: Compliance for Customer Identification Program and Impact of Treasury’s Request for Comments” Texas Banking, Vol. 92, No. 9, September 2003

— “Check Forgery Q&A,” Texas Banking, Vol. 92, No. 8, August 2003

Numerous  standalone  publications including:

— TBA BankPac Banker Involvement Guide, Texas Bankers Association, 2004

— Report of the Legislature: Key Legislation Affecting Banking, Texas Bankers Association, 2005, 2003

— Legal Briefs and Legislative Issues, Texas Bankers Association, numerous volumes 2002–2004

MEDIA & PRESENTATIONS

— Chicago's Best, June 2015: "Chicago's Best of Lake Street," taped segment

— Check 21 Act, October 2004: KEYE TV 42 taped interview, KXAN TV 36 live interview

— Legislative Update, Texas Bankers Association, two-week, statewide presentation across 16 cities to members on legislation, June – August, 2003

— Legislative Update, Texas Banking Department’s 2003 Annual Conference, October 2003

— Dos and Don’ts in Travis County District Court Practice, several conferences throughout 2000–2001

— Practice Tips for Expert Testimony, presented to the Travis County Bar Association, 2000

— Seeking Declaratory Relief Against State Agencies, presented to the Travis County Bar Association, 2000

— Jurisdictional Issues in Judicial Review of Agency Decisions, presented to the State Bar of Texas, 2000

SERVICE & VOLUNTEER

St. John Lutheran Church, Community Garden Volunteer, Forest Park, Illinois   2020 –  Present

Care for church garden, grow food, clean church grounds, assist disabled members with garden care

Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce, Member & Volunteer, Oak Park, Illinois   

2011 – Present

Downtown Oak Park, Member & Volunteer, Oak Park, Illinois  2011 – Present

Participate in the promotion and success of local businesses and community organizations

Domestic Violence Court, Domestic Violence Volunteer, Chicago, Illinois  1993 – 1994

Interviewed victims, prepared Orders of Protection, and supported victims during court proceedings

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, American Counseling Association

Member, American Psychological Association

Member, American Psychological Association of Graduate Students

Member, Illinois Counseling Association