I enlisted in the United States Air Force where I spent the next four years
serving my country at home and overseas. I was stationed in many places
throughout the country, including Texas, Massachusetts, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Maryland. I served overseas for two years near London,
England and at North Atlantic Treaty Organization ("NATO") Headquarters in
Germany.
As an Airman, I was a Morse Systems Technician, which means that I copied
Morse code radio communications. I was assigned to the Air Intelligence
Agency and while stationed in Maryland worked at the National Security Agency
("NSA") for more than a year. It was a fascinating job. I still value and use the
many skills I learned in the military, such as leadership, discipline, teamwork,
toughness and integrity.
When my enlistment was up, I came back home to Chicago and attended the
University of Illinois at Chicago, where my mother once attended in the 1960's
when it was called "The Circle". I pursued a Liberal Arts and Sciences
education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an English Writing major. I
enjoyed all of my classes, but found my writing classes to be, at the same
time, both inspiring and practical. I learned how to write in different styles and
tones. I learned how to write to different audiences and learned how to write in
different genres, including critical, editorial, memoir, journal, fiction, and even
poetry.
After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago, I enrolled in law
school at DePaul University College of Law. During my first year in law school,
I became fascinated with criminal law and thereafter tailored my law school
education to prepare myself for a career in criminal law. I took many criminal
law courses, earning a Certificate in Criminal Law along with my Juris Doctor.
In addition to criminal law courses, trial advocacy courses where routinely on
my class schedule.
I was a member of the DePaul University College of Law National Trial Team
and participated in a mock trial competition sponsored by the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ("NACDL") with other law school
students from around the country. I held a law clerk position at the Law Office
of Michael J. Petro where I put into practice the legal research and writing
skills I honed in law school and gained valued knowledge about what it is like
to run a real criminal law practice.
After passing the Illinois State Bar Examination, I accepted an associate
attorney position with Mr. Petro’s Law Office, where I worked for the next year
and a half. During this period of time, I gained a lot of experience in the
courtroom and enhanced my trial skills. In addition, I spent time working on
criminal appeals, researching case law and writing appellate briefs.
In October of 2005, I opened my own law firm. Criminal law continues to be
my specialty. I enjoy the work. I get a great deal of satisfaction fighting for my
clients and ensuring that nobody whom I represent gets bulldozed or
otherwise abused by the government.
