Attorney Qualifications
Shirley J. Foster, Esq.
www.sfosterlaw.com
Las Vegas, Nevada (702) 485-1746
Aggressive, Dedicated, and Ethical Legal Representation
ADMISSIONS
Active member in good standing of the State Bars of Nevada and California since 2002 and also admitted to the United States District Court, District of Nevada
PUBLISHED LEGAL ARTICLES
An American Inquiry Into Contemporary Terrorist Accountability, 6 Texas Review of Law & Politics 513 (2002)
Prudent Provenance – Looking Your Gift Horse in the Mouth, 8 U.C.L.A. Entertainment Law Review 143 (2001)
EDUCATION
Doctor of Jurisprudence, Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Oregon, 2001
International and Comparative Law Institutes, University of San Diego School of Law at King’s College, London, England, 2001; Oxford University, Oxford, England, 2000; and Florence, Italy, 2000
Paralegal Certificate, Arizona Paralegal Training Program, Phoenix, Arizona, 1998
Bachelor of Arts, Communications, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1989
LAW SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS
Judicial Intern, Supreme Court of Oregon, Justice William Riggs
Managing Articles Editor, Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution
Associate Editor, Willamette Law Review
Member, Moot Court Board
Research Assistant, Assistant Dean Harri
Honors, Legal Research and Writing
PROFESSIONAL LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Licensed civil litigation attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2002
- Managing voluminous personal injury, premises liability, construction, business litigation, and medical malpractice case files, including arbitration and trial preparation.
- Preparing aggressive litigation strategy in coordination with client’s objectives.
- Intensive preparation of personal injury matters for trial including analyzing and spear-heading discovery strategy, expert procurement, depositions, motions in limine, pre-trial memoranda, and jury instructions.
- Preparation and presentation of successful mediation briefs, analyzing construction and medical records, assessing trial exhibits and seeking inconsistencies within the opposing party’s presentation of their alleged case facts, such as the opposing party’s deposition testimony, with the objective of exposing any of the opposing party’s credibility issues.
- Arbitration and mediation experience.
- Aggressive motion preparation and oral argument upon careful analysis of potential client exposure, seeking to conclude matters whenever possible at the earliest feasible stage, thereby saving clients unnecessary stress and uncertainty from litigation.
- Negotiating equitable settlements and fair outcomes for clients upon clients’ communications of objectives, terms and preferences.
LAW CLERKSHIP EXPERIENCE
Supreme Court of Oregon, Justice William Riggs, Salem, Oregon, Judicial Intern
- Researched and analyzed significant and innovative legal issues and drafted recommendations
- Analyzed appellate petitions for review and prepared recommendations regarding further consideration
United States Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, San Diego, California, Law Clerk
- Authored Ninth Circuit appellate briefs
- Researched criminal legal issues, drafted legal memoranda, and pleadings
- Attended United States District Court trials and hearings, trial preparation conferences, witness interviews, and interacted with counsel and other federal agencies in United States District Court
11 Stone Buildings Barristers’ Chambers, Lincoln’s Inn, London, England, Law Clerk
- Researched English and American case law and statutes for a highly respected barristers’ chambers representing international clientele
- Attended English High Court proceedings at the Royal Courts of Justice and Old Bailey
- Investigated and summarized voluminous case files and recommended appellate petition strategy
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
- Consistent “Top Ten Sales” achievement and Business Finance Manager with Fortune 500 company
- Paralegal to General Counsel in national headquarters of publicly traded corporation with exposure to consumer finance law, truth-in-lending regulations, automotive dealership operations policies and procedures, and responsible for procuring and maintaining 600 corporate licenses in seven states.
- Five years with federal transportation department in airport management and community grants lending; established community disabled access committee and chaired employee wellness committee; improved disabled access at international airport with million dollar capital budget.
OUTSIDE INTERESTS JUST FOR FUN
- Golfing; hiking; fitness classes; skiing; fine dining; regular season subscriber to Las Vegas’ fine arts venues including the ballet and philharmonic; occasional appearance as an "extra" or audience participant in projects filming locally such as Drew Barrymore's Lucky You, The Ultimate Poker Challenge and American Casino