Resumé

Current Professional, Board & Volunteer Experience

  1. Comunidad Integrada/Integrated Community Steamboat Springs, CO

    Executive Director 2008 - present

    • Implement the organization’s long-range strategy through policies and programming.
    • Maintain sound financial practices and develop financial plans.
    • Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations, and organizational policies and procedures.
    • Manager personnel including recruitment, hiring and development of staff and volunteers.
    • Communicate the standing and performance of the organization to the Board of Directors.
  2. Achcar Law Firm Minneapolis/Owatonna, MN

    Immigration Attorney/Owner/Founder 2005 - present

    • Provide legal consultation and representation to clients on immigration law, including family-based petitions, deportation defenses, permanent residency, naturalization, VAWA and U visas.
    • Conduct legal workshops and presentations on immigration law, including “Know Your Rights”, “Response to Crisis”, the “Ten Commandments of Immigration” to community members through non-profit organizations and churches in urban and rural Minnesota and Iowa.
  3. El Colegio Charter School Minneapolis, MN

    Chair, Board of Directors 2006 - 2008

    • ECCS is a non-profit, public charter high school dedicated to preparing students for college and employment in a bilingual and bi-cultural setting. Latino students comprise 75% of the student population.
  4. Legal Rights Center Minneapolis, MN

    Member, Board of Directors 2007 - 2008

    • A grassroots non-profit law firm established in 1970 to serve communities of color, it specializes in adult and juvenile criminal defense, and restorative justice practices and advocacy. Staff is comprised of attorneys and representatives from the communities of color who work together on legal cases.
  5. Centro Campesino Owatonna, MN

    Volunteer Attorney (award recipient) 2005 - 2008

    • A grassroots organization dedicated to serving migrant workers and rural Latinos through education, outreach, organizing campaigns, advocacy and direct services. Established in 1998, migrant workers make up most of the organization’s board and membership.
  6. Latinos Unidos Saint Charles, MN

    Volunteer Attorney 2006 - 2008

    • A grassroots organization in rural Minnesota dedicated to organizing and supporting the Latino communities in the southeastern region of the state.
  7. Family And Childrenµs Service Minneapolis, MN

    Volunteer Attorney (award recipient) 2005 - 2008

    • A non-profit organization that provides assistance and support to families in poverty to develop skills to prevent and cope with problems emerging from rapid urban growth and marginalization of families, women and children.

Past Professional Board & Volunteer Experience

  1. Hispanic Advocacy And Community Empowerment Through Research (HACER) Minneapolis, MN

    Research Associate/Project Coordinator 2004 - 2006

    • Conducted research projects through culturally competent models on diverse topics of economic, political, social and cultural impact to the Latino community in Minnesota through a variety of research methodologies including but not limited to focus groups, interviews, literature reviews, and quantitative research.
    • Conducted customized, educational presentations about the Latino community in Minnesota to private and public organizations.
    • Provided factually accurate and culturally competent data to the Latino community to promote changes in public policy and law.
  2. Resource Center Of The Americas Minneapolis, MN

    Volunteer Attorney 2004 - 2006

    • A non-profit organization created to inform, educate and organize the community to promote human rights, democratic participation, economic justice and cross-cultural understanding.
  3. Guidant Corporation Saint Paul, MN

    Immigration Compliance Associate 1999 - 2000

    • Managed 120+ immigration cases for temporary employment and/or permanent residency sponsorship.
    • Streamlined company wide parameters for non-immigrant recruitment and immigration sponsorship in accordance with federal regulations.
    • Conducted training of recruiting teams on immigration and employment law compliance.

    Immigration Specialist 2001 - 2004

    • Managed 30+ immigration cases for temporary employment and/or permanent residency sponsorship.
    • Conducted training of employees, management and the Human Resources department on immigration law compliance and procedures.
    • Streamlined communication as liaison between employees and outsourced law firm.
  4. Michael H. Davis Law Office, P.A. Minneapolis, MN

    Immigration Attorney 2000 - 2001

    • Represented 70+ immigration cases, which included evaluation of clients’ needs, case preparation, filing with the USCIS, preparation of clients for interviews, and representation of clients at interviews before the USCIS.
    • Generated new client files, answered brief telephone consultations and researched legal issues to prepare and represent cases.
  5. Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donelly, LLP Minneapolis, MN

    Summer Law Intern - 1998

    • Assembled immigration cases for temporary employment and permanent residency sponsorship.
    • Created and maintained a database for tracking and updating immigration cases and files.
    • Researched legal issues and wrote legal briefs.
  6. Immigrant Law Center Saint Paul, MN

    Summer Law Intern - 1997

    • Screened and interviewed potential clients.
    • Researched legal issues to prepare and represent cases, assembled immigration filings, and prepared clients for interviews before the USCIS.

Education & Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota - Law School Saint Paul, MN

    J.D. 1997 - 1999

    • Focus on Immigration law.
    • Participated in Immigration Clinic and International Moot Court.
    • Study Abroad programs: Universitat Ramon Llull Law School, Barcelona, Spain; Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
  2. University of Minnesota – College Of Liberal Arts Saint Paul, MN

    B.A. in Anthropology 1993 - 1996

    • Summa cum Laude.
    • Awarded Dean’s List, Honors and scholarship recipient.

Languages