Christian

Legal Experience

Lead technology initiatives supporting access to justice and the delivery of court services to self-represented litigants. Supervise the Technology Initiatives Associate and interns, and lead the planning, development, testing, implementation, and ongoing management of legal technology solutions, including document assembly tools, mobile applications, and other technology-enabled services. Partner with judges, court administrators, Judiciary staff, contractors, interpreters, and external organizations to implement technology solutions, provide training and technical support, and improve the accessibility and usability of court services.

• Develop and advance innovative technology solutions that expand access to legal information and court services for self-represented litigants.

• Manage technology projects from concept through implementation, including requirements development, user testing, deployment, training, and ongoing support.

• Represent the Maryland Judiciary before governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, technology partners, and other stakeholders on matters involving legal technology and access to justice.

• Manage and administer grants awarded to courts and nonprofit organizations, including program oversight, coordination, and compliance.

• Analyze proposed legislation before the Maryland General Assembly and prepare fiscal notes assessing potential operational, technological, and financial impacts on the Judiciary.

• Coordinate technology installations, implementations, and training across the Judiciary and provide software support to court personnel, contractors, and interpreters.

• Monitor, document, and resolve public complaints regarding court experiences, identifying opportunities to improve court processes and services.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff and interns, fostering effective project execution and professional development.

Conducted detailed legal document review using Relativity in connection with complex litigation and discovery matters. Analyzed large volumes of confidential communications and electronically stored information to assess responsiveness to client requests and identify potentially privileged, confidential, and protected material. Applied attorney-client privilege and common-interest doctrine to document review and coding decisions, and identified and redacted sensitive information in accordance with applicable review protocols and confidentiality requirements.

Researched and drafted legal briefs and supporting materials for immigration court and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in connection with asylum claims. Prepared immigration applications and evaluated client eligibility for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) renewals. Developed case strategies, conducted legal research, and drafted briefs for clients seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Assessed immigration eligibility and potential relief options, including asylum, T-visas, U-visas, VAWA, DACA, and SIJS. Evaluated clients’ eligibility for naturalization and U.S. citizenship. Participated in monthly immigration legal clinics providing legal assistance to low-income and multicultural communities.

Prepared and finalized Adjustment of Status applications (Forms I-485, I-131, and I-765) and supporting documentation for more than 75 foreign nationals. Prepared and reviewed more than 300 H-1B, L-1B, and extension petitions for multinational corporate clients, ensuring completeness and compliance with applicable immigration requirements. Researched and responded to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), gathering supporting documentation and developing responses to address complex eligibility issues. Created standardized petition templates, process documents, and workflow resources to improve consistency and efficiency in case preparation. Conducted legal research on complex immigration matters, including F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) extensions and related employment authorization issues. Served as a liaison among vendors, clients, and firm personnel to coordinate technology and operational needs. Troubleshot hardware and software issues and provided technical support to facilitate efficient case management and office operations.

Prepared and filed supporting evidence for a broad range of employment- and family-based immigration matters, including H-1B, PERM Labor Certification, J-1 Conrad 30 Waivers, L-1A, L-1B, R-1, TN extensions, asylum, and EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions. Gathered documentation and developed responses to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Conducted legal research on complex immigration issues, including international adoption and evolving requirements concerning good moral character.

Represented clients in Master Calendar hearings before the immigration court and interviewed clients and witnesses to assess eligibility for asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Conducted legal research and developed evidentiary records in preparation for asylum hearings. Prepared and filed motions and other court pleadings, including Motions to Withdraw and Motions to Change Venue. Filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of clients. Reviewed immigration court proceedings and Family Court guardianship hearings to develop case strategy and prepare for individual merits hearings and SIJS determinations.

Conducted legal research and prepared analytical memoranda addressing the third-party doctrine, legislative intransigence, data collection, and constitutional protections. Reviewed, compared, and proofread legal and policy documents of up to 75 pages, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and clarity.

Drafted contract provisions addressing limitation of liability and indemnification for agreements between major corporate clients. Conducted intellectual property research and gathered evidence concerning potential infringement involving Japanese and U.S. corporations. Researched developments in U.S. Second Amendment law and prepared a presentation for Japanese attorneys addressing significant legal developments. Observed intellectual property proceedings before Japanese courts, gaining exposure to comparative approaches to IP litigation.

Conducted legal research in support of draft appellate opinions and verified legal authorities cited in Petitioner and Respondent briefs before the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Prepared bench memoranda addressing complex issues including child custody, ballistics evidence, and warrantless GPS tracking. Reviewed appellate records and observed oral arguments in preparation for judicial decision-making.

Interviewed clients regarding asset allocation and other issues in divorce proceedings and drafted motion memoranda and pleadings. Conducted legal research on employment and patent matters and prepared and filed patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Supported litigation and dispute-resolution matters by observing client negotiations, arbitration, and administrative proceedings and researching and analyzing relevant legal issues. Researched, curated, and verified expert witness information. Corresponded with and collected and analyzed information from more than 40 class action members. Reviewed and proofread legal documents for substantive accuracy, legal analysis, clarity, and readability.

Awards and Recognition

• 2025 – Present; Institute for Court Management Program Participant

• 2025; National Center for State Courts – James E. McMillan Award for Innovation in Court Technology Scholarship Winner

• 2024; Maryland Bar Foundation Fellow

• 2019 – 2021; Maryland State Bar Association – Leadership Academy Fellow

  • Project: Courthouse Closet collects blazers and belts to provide to litigants for use in court proceedings. Courthouse Closet seeks to increase access to justice and assist low-income and pro se litigants by providing information and resources to address disparities resulting from a lack of access to courtroom attire.

• 2018; Maryland State Bar Association – Young Lawyers Section Alex Fee Pro Bono Service Award

• 2015; University of Baltimore School of Law – Silver Level Pro Bono Service Award

• 2015; University of Virginia / International Committee of the Red Cross – International Humanitarian Workshop

Professional Memberships

Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management

• 2023 – Present; Secretary, Technology Committee

Maryland State Bar Association

• 2025 – Present; Leadership Academy Committee Member

• 2024 – Present; Access to Justice Commission Public Interest Law Committee Member

• 2021 – 2024; Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Section Representative

• 2022 – 2024; Bylaws Committee Member

• 2016 – 2024; Young Lawyers Section Council, Public Service Co-Chair

• 2021 – 2022; Membership & Content Committee Member

• 2016 – 2020; Immigration Section Council Member

Publications

MSBA Leadership Academy Launches Courtroom Closet Program. MSBA Bar Bulletin, Vol. XXXVII, No. 3. Maryland State Bar Association. March 15, 2020. pp. 11 (https://www.mdaccesstojustice.org/news-insights/msba-leadership-academy-fellows-launch-courtroom-closet-program/)

Speaking Engagements

2025 Equal Justice Conference, San Francisco, CA

• Speaker, Litigants as Experts: Leveraging User Testing and Feedback in Legal Services

2023 Joint Conference of Clerks of Court, Court Administrative, and Administrative Clerks, Oakland, MD

• Speaker, Resources for Self-Represented Litigants

2023 Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management Annual Meeting, Pocono Manor, PA

• Moderator, Neufeld Award Winner Presentation – Maryland Justice Passport   

2022 Maryland Court Help Provider’s Conference, Annapolis, MD

• Speaker, E-Filing for the Self-Represented

• Speaker, Technology-Based Resources for the Self-Represented

Education

Additional Experience

Pro Bono experience at CASA de Maryland, Tahirih Justice Center, Kids In Need of Defense (KIND), Maryland Volunteer Legal Service, the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, and FreeState Justice. Community volunteer experience at Habitat for Humanity, Operation Welcome Home, Whispering Rise Farm, Our Daily Bread, Polar Bear Plunge, and Jessup Correctional Institution (Storybook Project).