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American Bar Association

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Attorney By Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession

Who?

 

What?

Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
National Security and Biological Detection, previously International Development.

When?

Years in the Practice Area:
International Development since 1991

Years in the Legal Profession:
Since 1990

Where?

Employer:
SRA International, Inc.
www.sra.com

Size/Sector:
Large, government provider of information technology services and solutions

City/State:
Arlington, VA
Law School:
University of Cincinnati College of Law

Undergraduate School/Degree:
University of Illinois, B.A.



Why?

Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Amazing opportunities to work abroad, travel, meet exciting people, and be at the cutting edge of world events and happenings.

Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:

  • Language skills: important, but not essential
  • Willingness to listen and learn
  • Willingness to take risks

Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice Area:
Meet as many people as you can working in the area to learn as much possible about what is out there. Don't settle for fear that you won't find what you want. It takes time, energy, and sacrifice, but the end results are well worth it!

How?

Career Path to Current Position:

  • Semester abroad in college (Europe)
  • Semester Abroad in law school (Africa)
  • Opened own consulting firm and worked in Eastern and Southern Africa, France
  • Joined The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where I worked as a foreign service officer of democracy programs. During my time with USAID, I spent three years in Bolivia and one in Russia
  • Moved on to become the Director of International Programs for a small consulting firm
  • Eventually, I decided to focus on National Security matters, so switched career paths.
  • Most recently, served as Senior National Security Advisor at DynCorp National Security Programs, a large employee-owned technology company.

Influences and Mentors:
I found wonderful mentors along the way.

Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Network, Network, Network.

Bar Affiliations and Activities:

American Bar Association Section of International Law and Practice:

  • Subcommittee on Bioterrorism Chair
  • Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering Vice Chair
  • International Law and National Security Committee Member