I have dedicated my career to defending the rights of the criminally accused. I’ve handled thousands of cases, appearing in every courthouse in the State of Rhode Island. I have been nationally trained with The Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy, The National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, The National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute and The Defender Advocacy Institute. I also have extensive experience with expert witnesses and the presentation (or exclusion) of scientific evidence at trial.
I received my LL.M in Trial Advocacy Specializing in Federal Criminal Law from the California Western School of Law. I have a “Superb” Avvo Rating of 10.0 and am a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association and the Executive Board of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I was named a “Top Attorney” by the Who’s Who directory and was nationally ranked by the SuperLawyers organization.
Why Criminal Defense?
I have committed my entire adult life to defending good people facing bad situations. I have never prosecuted another person or advocated to put someone in prison… and never will. Why? Because when a criminal charge is filed, it feels like nobody listens to the person who was accused and that is unfair. Sometimes they are innocent, sometimes they deserve a second chance, and sometimes the police or the prosecutors did not play by the rules. There are problems in the criminal justice system and I am proud to stand next to the good people who are trying to make things better. My clients deserve respect. They deserve to have their voices heard. I am honored to help people put the pieces back together after a serious accusation, and to face the charges with dignity and launch an aggressive and thorough defense. Our relationship isn’t done when the case is dismissed or the jury says, “not guilty.” I tell all of my clients to save my phone number and reach out if they need anything. It doesn’t matter how much time has gone by; I am always available to help my clients… because I want to see people get their lives back after the devastation of a criminal case.
Training
- Federal Andrea Taylor Sentencing Advocacy Workshop
(March 2021) - Federal Criminal Appellate Advocacy
Boston, MA (April 2016)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
“Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault & Child Victims Cases,” New Orleans, LA (October 2012) - National Criminal Defense College
Macon, Georgia (July 2011) - Defender Advocacy Institute
Dayton, Ohio (May 2008) - Institute for Criminal Defense Advocacy Trial Skills Academy
San Diego, CA (April 2006)
Experience
- Assistant Public Defender, Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender
Adult Trial Division (January 2007- August 2011)
Attorney-in-Charge, Newport County (August 2011- June 2013)
Appellate Division (December 2013- September 2014) - Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.
Extern (2006) - California Innocence Project
Case Screening Unit (2005)
Bar Membership
- Rhode Island (2005)
- Massachusetts (2005)
United States District Court for the State of Rhode Island (2016) - First Circuit Court of Appeals (2021)
Court Panels
- First Circuit Court of Appeals, CJA Panel
- Rhode Island Federal District Court, CJA Panel
- Rhode Island State Court, Murder Panel
- Rhode Island State Court, Class One Felony Panel
- Rhode Island State Court, Class Two Felony Panel
- Rhode Island State Court Post-Conviction, Murder, Class One and Class Two Panels
Education
- California Western School of Law, San Diego, California
LL.M. Trial Advocacy Specializing in Federal Criminal Law (April 2006) - Roger Williams School of Law, Bristol, Rhode Island
J.D. (May 2005) - University of Rhode Island
B.A. (May 2002)
Expert Training/Collaboration
- Neuropsychology
- DNA
- Cell Site Analysis
- Forensic Pathology
- Ballistics/Firearms training
- Arson/Fire Science training
- Fingerprint Analysis
- Criminal Street Gangs
Reid technique/ Confessions - Hasbro Hospital Child Protection Team
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
