MEGAN K.

PITZ
253 E Delaware Place, Unit 11E, Chicago IL 60611
312.505.5559 * mpae89f6@westpost.net
OBJECTIVE
A position using my research, writing, and analysis skills to help an organizati
on or firm meet its goals
EDUCATION
Northwestern University, The Graduate School, Chicago/Evanston, IL
Masters in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA); 2006-present; Anticipated gr
aduation June 2011; currently not enrolled.
Relevant Coursework: Interest Groups; Introduction to Public Policy: Scope and D
ynamics of the Field; Economics of State and Local Government; Fundamentals of P
ublic Administration; Analytic Methods for Public Policy Analysis; Political The
ory and Public Policy; Sociology of Organizations.
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and English, May 2004
Selected Honors and Activities: Beta Chi, National Political Science Honor Socie
ty; Phi Sigma Theta, National Academic Honor Society; Internship, Senator Tom Ha
rkin (D-Iowa) 2002; Regents Study Abroad Program, University of Wales, Swansea,
2003
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
Well-developed analytical and writing skills; strong policy analysis skills, adv
anced research skills with ability to locate and utilize research in response to
requirements; strong communication skills and able to quickly adapt and respond
to diverse and changing needs; high-level of attention to detail and commitment
to quality work product; proficiency with databases and Excel; excellent organi
zational skills, efficient management of multiple priorities.
EXPERIENCE
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS), Chicago Lawyer Chapter,
Director of Programming Board of Directors, Chicago, IL (November 2008-November
2009)
Managed and oversaw all aspects of programming for Chicago chapter of leading pr
ogressive organization of lawyers, law students, judges and policymakers and wor
ked as member of a 14-member board to run chapter
Trained and supervised three program co-directors and numerous volunteers to org
anize and implement approximately 16 programs per year on various local and nati
onal legal and policy issues, such as theories of Constitutional interpretation,
the meaning and application of the First Amendment in various contexts and in S
upreme Court decisions, police accountability, disparities in asylum adjudicatio
n, environmental justice, whether the right or left are to blame for the rise in
civil suits, the right of habeas corpus at Guantanamo, the right to social serv
ices, and civil liberties in the new Administration.
Coordinated and collaborated with other legal and policy organizations to co-spo
nsor programs
Drafted material for organization's website
American Constitution Society (ACS) Chicago Lawyer Chapter, Program Director
Board of Directors, Chicago, IL (October 2007 to November 2008)
Personally organized and directed multiple programs at Chicago-area law firms an
d universities, including recruiting panelists and moderators, recruiting and co
llaborating with Chapter law-firm sponsors and program co-sponsors, and recruiti
ng and organizing volunteers
Programs organized included October 2008 program on the Illinois Constitutional
Convention Proposal
(featuring Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Hon. Dawn Clark Netsch, Law Professor Ronald C. S
mith, Hon. Mike Fortner, and Skadden Chicago Office Managing Partner Wayne W. Wh
alen), May 2008 program (featuring Two-time
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Lewis), and February 2008 program on the I
llinois Silent Reflection and
Prayer in Public Schools Act (featuring counsel from ACLU, Alliance Defense Fund
and Plaintiff in Sherman v. Township High School District 214 et al)
Drafted material for organization's website
Assisted with outreach to local media and coordinated and collaborated with co-s
ponsoring organizations
Regularly introduced speakers and otherwise represented ACS at events
American Constitution Society (ACS) Chicago Lawyer Chapter, Legal Legends Lunche
on Planning and Host Committee Member, Chicago, IL (2008)
Participated in planning and decision-making for third annual Legal Legends Lunc
heon honoring Hon. James B. Moran of the U.S. District Court for the Northern Di
strict of Illinois, Hon. Illana D. Rovner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the S
eventh Circuit, and Lowell E. Sachnoff (Partner, Reed Smith LLP) and Thomas P. S
ullivan
(Partner, Jenner & Block LLP), featuring speakers Senator Dick Durbin and Lt. Go
v. Pat Quinn and emcee
Professor Geof Stone, and drawing nearly 300 attendees
Assisted in sponsorship solicitation, including securing new $2,500 sponsor
Drafted biographies of honorees for luncheon program and conducted research for
event speakers
Managed database of ticket purchasers and helped recruit and organized nearly 30
volunteers who assisted at the luncheon
Illinois Solar Energy Association (ISEA), Policy Intern
Chicago, IL (July 2008 to January 2009)
Researched, interpreted and drafted summaries of IRC regulations applying to adv
ocacy activity of 501(c)3 organizations
Investigated and assessed government and private grant opportunities and assiste
d with writing grant applications
Participated in programs promoting renewable energy, drafted summaries of progra
m content for newsletter and prepared Illinois Solar Energy Tour publicity
Assisted with research and writing of policy white papers addressing incentives
for solar energy in Illinois
National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC), Policy Intern
Chicago, IL (January 2008 to April 2008)
Reviewed and analyzed drafts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detent
ion standards applicable to government detention facilities
Determined policy changes relevant to detainee rights and welfare
Wrote reports that served as the basis for Director's recommendations to ICE
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Litigation Project Assistant
Chicago, IL (March 2006 to November 2006)
Assumed case management responsibilities for multiple cases, including assisting
with preparation for corporate management depositions and trial defense in a ma
jor class-action employment suit
Assessed insurance-related documents in a case involving private prosecution of
insurance fraud
Analyzed and evaluated complex financial documents, including determining transa
ction and merger history, actions of financial advisors, and responsiveness to o
pposing parties' document requests; collaborated with experts to facilitate anal
ysis of financial documents
Drafted letters and issued subpoenas
Spherion Corporation, Corporate Project Assistant (temporary position),
Chicago, IL (April 2005 to August 2005)
Prepared client reports establishing corporation liability under the Comprehensi
ve Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Researched company history to determine corporate successorship and liability
Baker & McKenzie LLP, Litigation Paralegal (temporary position)
Chicago, IL (December 2004 to April 2005)
Performed case-related research and other trial-related duties to prepare for a
successfully defended international arbitration case
Assisted with briefing cases for firm publications and researched state and fede
ral procedural rules to ensure compliance
Assisted with document collection and production tasks, including: reviewing doc
uments to determine privilege and content responsiveness, setting up databases,
and coding electronic documents
Developed organizational systems for case materials, prepared trial exhibits, an
d indexed pleadings using Excel
John Kerry for President, Campaign Volunteer Coordinator
Davenport, IA (August 2003 to February 2004)
Directed and organized volunteers to ensure that all campaign needs were met and
created database to monitor volunteer activities
Persuaded voters to pledge support for candidate and represented and promoted ca
ndidate at events and rallies
Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Summer Intern
Davenport, IA (June 2002 to August 2002)
Investigated issues for constituents, interpreted and explained policies and law
s affecting Iowans, collected and evaluated legislation from congressional datab
ases, and managed cases and constituent database
Communicated with a diverse set of constituents on a routine basis
Recruited to work on Senate re-election campaign due to success of internship
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Constitution Society for Law and Policy (ACS), Chicago Lawyer Chapter
Board of Directors, Director of Programming (11/2008 - 11/2009), Program Directo
r (10/2007 - 11/2008); Annual
Legal Legends Luncheon, Planning and Host Committee Member (2008 and 2009)
REFERENCES
References are available upon request