Originally I am from Northeast Pennsylvania, but most recently I consider myself from Wyoming. I live in Philadelphia where I run a solo law practice, focusing on appeals and criminal defense, especially with regards to constitutional law. My blog's title is a reference to what I enjoy about being an attorney, dealing with the paper. I prefer to write and argue an appeal through a brief and before a judge, which I have been told makes me a paper lawyer.
I am a recent graduate of the University of Wyoming College of Law. I am licensed to practice in both Pennsylvania and Wyoming, the first with that particular combination of licenses that I've run into. If you have a similar combination, let's be friends!
While I was in Wyoming I graduated with a bachelor's degree in three years, proceeded directly to law school, and graduated near the top of the class (although, it could be argued that UW has a particularly small class so most people are near the top). I focused in constitutional and appellate law.
I interned for the ACLU of Wyoming, where I worked on cases ranging from right to associate with one's children, to free speech, to beginning a class action against a Wyoming school district. I also clerked at a trial court in Laramie, Wyoming one summer. Where I learned the most though was at the Defender Aid Clinic where I interned for a year. I helped indigent convicted persons make post conviction claims. While there, I worked on habeas petitions, motions for sentence reductions, post conviction appeals, direct appeals, motion to convert sentences to civil penalties, and many other smaller issues.
See my full resume on my LinkedIn page, as well as my Avvo and LawPivot Profiles for more information.
For fellow attorneys reading this: This blog is meant to be scholarly, and is focused on the areas of law that I find both interesting and relevant/topical. If you have a case regarding any of these issues I am happy to consult on it, and to be retained as of counsel. I do not want to be a client lawyer, and would really prefer to make myself known as the go to person for writing appeals here in the Philadelphia area and all over Wyoming,. Contact me if you have a topic you'd like me to write about, a question about a post, or anything else you can think of.
For laypersons reading this: This is not intended to be legal advice. I am writing an informational blog and do not intend for this to be any sort of advice. You may contact me if you have a legal issue you think I can help you with. I am happy to give a free consultation.
You are a very "unusual" attorney, offering a free consultation. I would love to connect with you. I am a pro se litigant going to law school through the school of hard knocks.
ReplyDeleteI currently have a case pending in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (the magistrate judge did not understand the material facts of my case).
I'd rather talk by phone. My phone number is 805-484-4452. Thanks for taking the time to put your insights down in writing and sharing them with the world on this blog.
Sincerely,
Nadine Hays
To see the CNN coverage of my case Google: "Grandma Kicks TSA's Butt in Court, Youtube"
I believe it is long overdue...very, very long overdue...that the American people - We The People - DEMAND that the Constitution of The United States of America be reinstalled as the supreme law of the land.
ReplyDeleteWhy reinstalled? Because there have been an uncountable number of statutes passed into law over the decades that are unquestionably illegal per the Constitution, and which make a mockery of said.
Yes...enough is enough, Ms. McDonald.
This is alleged to be a Nation founded upon the principle that it will be governed by a government formed BY the PEOPLE, FOR the PEOPLE.
Such a concept has long ago vanished, as far as I can tell.
Let's begin with the most egregious assault on the Constitution - its Bill of Rights - inalienable human rights, natural or God-given rights, not meant to be restricted by any form of government.
Of those inalienable rights, none other than the absolute right to defend oneself against: (1) a rogue government having a well-organized militia at its disposal, and (2) criminals, both of which can often be intertwined.
The Second Amendment of the Constitution clearly and unequivocally states that "...the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED".
SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.
Four simple words that have been completely ignored over the last hundred-plus years, as illegal laws have been passed doing just that - infringing on the people's right to be able to defend themselves against the development of a rogue or out-of-control government no longer representing the people, and/or violent criminals.
Anyone who has the very misguided belief that the Second Amendment should be restricted shares in the belief that The United States of America shall no longer exist, because, my friends, once 2A is gone, so is America. It is the ONLY safeguard the people have to keep the government in check so the ever-corrupt politicians behave themselves to at least some extent, and it is the ONLY right that separates these United States from the rest of the socialist, government-smothered, or worse - dictatorial - world.
This is precisely why the socialist left in this country are pushing with all of their might to strike 2A from the Constitution. This will then give the government complete and absolute power and control over the population - a corrupt, socialist politician's dream.
There will be a revolution before such an unconscionable act would ever live to see the light of day, and I will be at the front of that revolution.
The people have the right to access ALL weapons accessible by the government. Without that right, 2A is meaningless. Every law passed or enacted over the last one hundred plus years restricting that access is, without question, unconstitutional and therefore, illegal. How The SCOTUS could ever uphold such statutory nonsense is clear proof that the judiciary is as corrupt as the politicians who appoint it.
Bonnie and Clyde my ass. Bonnie and Clyde decided, as adults, voluntarily, to become criminals. Their actions as criminals should have no bearing at all upon the rights of law-abiding citizens, but the corrupt politicians seized the moment to unscrupulously pass legislation to restrict access to automatic weapons, which was further restricted in the mid-1980s to the point where it is now illegal for a LAW-ABIDING citizen to possess a fully automatic weapon manufactured after May, 1986. All comprising a systematic effort to further castrate the people's ability to defend themselves against a potentially rogue government, now enjoying exclusive access to the latest weapons technology for which the people are forbidden.
How's that for "...by the people, for the people", or better yet - SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.
Four simple words a 6th grader can understand.
A despicable, loathsome, immoral, egregious affront to The Constitution of The United States if ever one existed.