PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PRINCIPAL - LAW OFFICE OF RUTH ANN AZEREDO LLC (2004 - Present).
Representing clients in general litigation, employment, FOIA, Privay Act, Federal Tort Claims Act and Administrative Law matters.
PRINCIPAL / GENERAL COUNSEL - PERCHANCE INC. (2000-2003).
Developed patent and designed line of home furnishings. Responsible for legal matters related to development, manufacturing, and marketing including trademark, copyright, contracts, torts, privacy, import, and export.
ATTORNEY / ADVISOR - OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA), Washington, DC (1991-2000).
Adjudicated Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") and Privacy Act ("PA") appeals, as well as Federal Tort Claims Act matters in excess of $100,000.
Represented USDA at EEO and MSPB hearings. Assisted in defending lawsuits brought against the United States pursuant to the FTCA, FOIA, PA, First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA"), the Rehabilitation Act.
Drafted legal opinions and advised USDA on matters related to Constitutional issues, Government Ethics, Personnel matters, FTCA, FOIA, PA, Federal Appropriations, Title VII, Rehabilitation Act, OSHA regulations, Immigration issues, ADEA, union issues.
Trained field attorneys in handling FOIA and PA requests.
EDUCATION
North Carolina Central University School of Law, Durham, NC (1991)
J.D., cum laude
Member of Law Journal, Member of Women's Caucus, Tutor of Torts
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY (1983)
B.A. Major - Spanish; Minor- Studio Art
LANGUAGES
Fluency in Spanish and Portuguese
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Maryland State Bar Association
Anne Arundel County Bar Association
North Carolina State Bar Association
National Employment Lawyers Association
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN
North Carolina
Maryland
U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (including the U.S. Bankruptcy Court)
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado