Context, perspective, and the values that shape the work
Born near San Francisco, Jennifer's family story reflects immigration, resilience, and public service. Her mother's family emigrated from El Salvador in the 1960s, and her father's Greek ancestors entered the United States through Ellis Island in the 1930s before settling in California.
These histories shaped her understanding of what it means to belong, to navigate systems, and to build stability in uncertain circumstances. They also informed a lifelong interest in law as a tool for fairness, clarity, and order in an often-chaotic world.
After earning degrees from UC Davis and Washington & Lee University School of Law, Jennifer entered the practice of immigration law with a focus on helping individuals and families secure legal status, reunite with loved ones, and access protections available under U.S. law.
Her work has centered on family-based immigration and humanitarian protections, particularly in cases involving domestic violence, trafficking, and other forms of harm. Much of this work required not only legal analysis but also the ability to communicate clearly with vulnerable populations, collaborate with advocates, and navigate emotionally complex situations with care and precision.
Over time, Jennifer became involved in broader questions about how legal systems function—and fail—for people who need them most. She served on Virginia State Bar committees focused on access to legal services and technology, contributed to boards addressing literacy and domestic violence services, and spoke regularly to legal professionals, students, and community organizations about immigration law, ethics, and access to justice.
She also wrote about the intersection of technology and legal services, exploring how web-based tools might help bridge gaps in availability, affordability, and information access. These interests reflect a belief that improving legal systems requires both technical skill and systems-level thinking.
Legal work should be precise, but it does not need to be opaque. Jennifer values clear language, structured thinking, and the ability to explain complex ideas in ways that are accessible without being simplistic.
Professional responsibility is not just about avoiding misconduct—it is about maintaining integrity, being honest about limitations, and making decisions that align with long-term values rather than short-term convenience.
Individual cases matter deeply, but so do the structures that determine who has access to legal help, how information is shared, and where resources are allocated. Improving outcomes requires attention to both.
The most meaningful work happens through partnerships—with colleagues, advocates, clients, and communities. Jennifer approaches collaboration as a practice of listening, contributing thoughtfully, and focusing on shared goals.
Jennifer is currently exploring opportunities in research, writing, policy analysis, and consulting—roles that draw on legal training but are not limited to traditional practice. She is particularly interested in positions that address access to justice, institutional design, technology and legal services, or immigration policy.
She is open to remote work, project-based consulting, and roles within nonprofits, research organizations, academic institutions, or policy-focused entities. What matters most is the opportunity to contribute thoughtfully, work with people who value clarity and ethics, and engage with problems that require both analytical depth and practical judgment.
This site exists to provide context for that work—a record of experience, skills, and perspective, presented clearly and without exaggeration.
For additional information about professional background, speaking engagements, or publications, please see the Portfolio, Skills, and CV sections of this site.