FACES: NYC DOE "Gotcha Squad" Attorney Jordana Shenkman

Jordana Shenkman

Attorney at NYC Department of Education

Location

Greater New York City Area

Industry

Law Practice

	NYC Department of Education
	Bronx County District Attorney's Office, Lansner & Kubitschek, United States Attorney's Office Edit experience
	The George Washington University Law School When Jordana Shenkman moved into her 430-square-foot rental this March, she wasted no time getting settled. "I actually put this entire thing together from nothing in one month's time," she says. Spurred by a small-space contest on design blog Apartment Therapy (apartmenttherapy.com), the government attorney had roughly 30 days to furnish her pad before the competition's deadline. "I did nothing but run all over the place," Shenkman recalls. "Every day after work I'd be going to another discount store." But the glory of winning (she didn't) wasn't her only motivation to quickly decorate: "I'm 33, but I've never had my own apartment," explains Shenkman, who had lived with a roommate since moving to the city seven years ago. "I'm sure a lot of people in New York have that same experience. It's kind of delayed youth here." Experience Administrative Attorney NYC Department of Education May 2008 – Present (6 years 9 months)New York, NY Prosecute administrative hearings against school administrators and teachers charged with employee misconduct with a high rate of successful outcomes. Selected to handle high-profile, press cases for the unit. Responsible for drafting charges, investigation, settlement negotiation, discovery, witness preparation and litigating cases. Present oral arguments including appeal before panel of judges at the New York City Civil Service Commission. Work in conjunction with the New York City Law Department, New York City District Attorney's Offices, New York Police Department and other independent investigative agencies. Conduct legal research and offer legal advice on Education and Labor Law issues. Assistant District Attorney Bronx County District Attorney's Office September 2004 – May 2008 (3 years 9 months)Bronx, NY Prosecuted bench and jury trials to verdict, including high-profile felony crimes. Responsible for trial strategy, criminal investigation, civilian, police and expert witness preparation and plea negotiations with caseload of approximately eighty. Presented hundreds of felony cases to the Grand Jury for indictment; competitively selected as only junior assistant to present homicide case. Drafted motions and argued constitutional and evidentiary issues of law. Legal Intern Lansner & Kubitschek June 2003 – August 2003 (3 months)New York, NY Prepared clients in class-action, civil rights lawsuit against the City of New York. Legal Intern United States Attorney's Office June 2002 – August 2002 (3 months)Washington, D.C. Sex Offense/Domestic Violence Unit. Handled discovery, evidence gathering, legal memorandum and witness interviews for felony sex crimes. Legal Assistant Dewey Ballantine, LLP September 2000 – June 2001 (10 months)New York, NY Member of trial team for complex, civil litigation case involving a lawsuit of first impression against the tobacco industry. Intern, Congresswoman Nita Lowey's Office U.S. House of Representatives June 2000 – August 2000 (3 months)Washington, D.C. Wrote constituent correspondence, analyzed, researched and reported on political policies involving women's rights issues.