A 2001 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, AME worked for more than a decade as a criminal defense attorney in some of the most impoverished and underserved communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

After six years as a Superior Court public defender with the Committee for Public Counsel Services — during which AME defended hundreds of indigent criminal defendants at every stage of litigating serious felony charges carrying mandatory minimum sentences and involving allegations of serious violence, firearms violations, and drug distribution — AME established a small, client-centered criminal defense practice in downtown Springfield, MA.

AME fought for hundreds of people in more than a thousand misdemeanor and felony charges in Massachusetts courts, zealously advocating at bench and jury trials, pleas & sentencings, and hearings. She worked closely with clients and their families to holistically educate about and aid in their exercise of constitutional rights, while endeavoring to minimize the negative impacts of poverty, mental illness, addiction, abuse, and involvement in the criminal justice system.

As part of this work, AME supervised and learned from forensic experts and helping professionals; negotiated with law enforcement, administrators, employers and families; investigated and interviewed witnesses; researched legal issues and drafted pleadings and memoranda.

After a move back to her native Midwest, AME used the same skills to design and implement a social media campaign for Manchester LIBRARYes!, a victorious political action committee that increased voter turnout in a summer primary by 380% and defeated 60/40% a township effort to withdraw from the library district.

The primary voter drive collaterally got out the vote for a school bond measure that otherwise would have failed.

LIBRARYes! grew its campaign fund from nickels to nearly $1000 in small donations and built a committee that won library millage renewal by 71%, ensuring $3.6 million in funding over the next decade for the Manchester and affiliate libraries.

AME also appeared in a televised ad (at 0:12) supporting Pam Byrnes’ (D-MI 7th) congressional campaign in the same election cycle.

AME provides targeted, strategic issue support for small law firms, solo practitioners, and business and political consultancies involved in plea, contract, and public records request negotiations, as well as providing advice and content for campaigns on behalf of causes and clients. Contact her to learn how her expertise as an advocate can help you better serve your clients and grow your business.