Practice/Organization Description
I am a takings lawyer--with a practice focused on litigating takings claims in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. I handle water rights, real property, environmental, business, and intangible property takings claims.
I served as an Attorney/Advisor, and subsequently as a trial lawyer in the Employment Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1988, I joined the law firm of Verner, Liipfert (now DLA Piper), where I litigated complex airline and other civil matters. In 1991, I founded Defenders of Property Rights, and litigated high profile property claims representing small business and land owners in the Supreme Court, federal courts of appeal, and trial courts.
Prior to coming to Washington, I worked at the International Labor Organization in Geneva, Switzerland doing comparative legal research.
I have also drafted legislation and testified in Congress, before regulatory agencies, and in State legislatures on a variety of property, water, and environmental matters.
In addition, I have written numerous articles on property and environmental issues, and have made numerous radio and television appearances discussing cases and related legal issues. And I have lectured on many occasions on all aspects of property, environmental, and water law.
I co-authored the book on takings-- Understanding Government Takings and Environmental Regulation.
Bar Admissions
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Various circuit courts of appeals
Education
University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law
Professional Associations & Memberships
U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association, Member and Past President
Advisory Council, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Director; Member of the Steering Council for Lawyers Committe, Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS)
Officer, Adult Music Student Forum (AMSF)
Director, Maryland Youth Ballet
Federalist Society
Federal Circuit Bar Association
National Association of Homebuilders, LANDS Committee
Energy and Natural Resources Section of the American Bar Association
Honors and Awards
The Golden Eagle Award, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Received U.S. Court of Federal Claims James Madison Award on behalf of the court's Bar Association
Bar Association, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, first Randolph W. Thrower Award
D.C. Women’s Bar Association as the female environmental Lawyer of the Year
