Michele Tivey

Director of Congressional campaign in Washington State’s Eighth District. Wrote and coached all speeches delivered by the candidate. Acted as a surrogate for the candidate at media and political events in New York, Washington D.C. and Washington State. Developed strategy and campaign plan. Selected and trained staff. Wrote, produced and directed campaign television commercials. Headed media buys. Chief contact with State and National Democrat Party officials.

Consulted on all aspects of Gubernatorial campaign including media, strategy, message development and management for the race. Wrote and coached all speeches delivered by the candidate. Devised strategy and wrote the campaign plan. Hired and trained the campaign staff, Interviewed and selected experts. Drafted support from national and state Reform Party officials.

Organization and oversight of McCain Presidential New York State ballot initiative. Working directly under Hon. Guy Molinari, New York State Chairman, recruited precinct captains, provided instructions for gathering signatures, collected ballots, assembled materials for inspection by the New York State Board of Elections. Working with Campaign Counsel, provided legal advice and direction with the submission of petition signatures for consideration.

Performed “campaign startup,” which included initial meetings with essential decision-makers, writing the campaign plan, and training of initial campaign staff. Wrote and directed major speeches delivered by the candidate at the State Republican Party Convention, and other events. Chief contact with national Political Action Committees.

Criminal Court Assistant

Jury Part Team Leader Supervised and advised Assistants during hearings and trials. Negotiated appropriate plea bargains and dispositions on cases. Prosecuted criminal defendants via jury trials and bench trials. Arraignment Part Team Leader Trained and supervised newly hired attorneys in case evaluation and arraignment. Directed plea bargaining between Assistants and defense counsel. Consulted city, state, and local officials regarding wanted persons for extradition. Criminal Court Assistant Responsible for all aspects of case management from drafting of charges through trial. Compiled physical and testimonial evidence in preparation for disposition or trial. Initiated and responded to oral and written motions.

Assistant District Attorney

Performed research and prepared documents in concert with attorneys in areas of international trade, government contracts, patent and trademark issues and inter-agency ethics. Acted as liaison with the Department of Justice and the Department of State.

Conducted research among the lobbying community and Political Action Committees (PACs) to determine support for clients’ voter base, consisting of Republican Congressional incumbents. Consulted with members of Congress and their staffs in their organization and execution of events raising more than $100,000 for 1992 campaigns. Maintained all financial and accounting records for events.

Responsible for temporary and permanent staffing of the National Victory Celebration, commemorating the return of the Veterans from the Desert Storm Conflict. Devised and conducted a training seminar for 3,000 volunteers, including briefings on security and events.

Wrote and directed speeches and debate responses for the Candidate which were delivered to live audiences and on radio. Collaborated with press secretary on wording and content of press releases. Coordinated press events. Designed and wrote campaign literature and position papers.

Summer Associate 2L