Born in Chicago, Illinois, and admitted to the Illinois Bar (1983); Admitted U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (1995). University of Michigan (B.A. 1978); University of Illinois College of Law (J.D. 1982).

Chapter Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chicago Chapter (2000-2001); Executive Committee of the Chicago Chapter (1997-2001). Past Chicago Bar Association, Chair of the Immigration Law Committee (1996-1997). Chair of District Director Liaison, Asylum and Student Liaison/Community Outreach Committees of the Chicago Chapter of AILA & AILA Litigation Roundtable (2008-2011).   

Spoken and organized numerous conferences on immigration law at both the national and local level.