Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers

I am a criminal defense lawyer with a nationwide practice focused on representing people with mental disabilities. My family settled in the Palouse Country of Washington Territory in 1872. I was born and raised in Spokane and I returned to the Inland Northwest in 2012. My experience includes: Co-chairing the Criminal Justice Advisory Panel of The Arc's National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability. Editing of Representing People with Mental Disabilities: A Practical Guide for Criminal Defense Lawyers, which is scheduled to be published by the American Bar Association in 2018. Serving on the Editorial Board of the ABA's Criminal Justice Section Magazine. Serving three terms on the board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), chaired its Mental Health as well as Membership Committees and am a Life Member. Traveling to Liberia in 2009 and 2014 as part of a delegation sponsored by the U.N. Commission on Drugs and Crime and NACDL to train that country's criminal defense bar. Lecturing across the U.S. as well as abroad on representing people with mental disabilities and frequently provide commentary for radio and television. Serving as a Vice President of The Spokane Symphony and the board of The Arc of Spokane and have served on the board of the Museum of Arts and Culture (The MAC). Being appointed by the Spokane City Council to the Police Ombudsman Commission. Completing my 200 hour Yoga certification and currently working on my 500 hour certification through Semperviva Studio in Vancouver, BC.