Adrian de la Rosa
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Adrián de la Rosa, B.A., B.A., M.A., J.D.
Experience
Investigator and Mitigation Specialist
• Systematically examines all the facts related to conviction, sentencing, legal representation and all other aspects of capital cases.
• Identifies, locates and interviews witnesses, complainants, law enforcement officials and representatives of other agencies to gather information on events surrounding cases.
• Conducts full background investigation of clients convicted of capital offenses.
• Interviews family members, friends, and others with relevant information and obtains life records of client and family as necessary.
• Determines need for professional assessment and review by professional witnesses and other experts, and coordinates evaluation process.
• Prepares independent report concerning mitigation phase of a Capital trial.
Adjunct Professor of Sociology
Austin Community College
• Adjunct Faculty Association Representative (ACC 2012-Present); Department Task Force (ACC 2021); Teaching Excellence Nominee (ACC 2014)
• Introduction to Sociology (Spring 2011-Spring 2021)--Teach students basic sociological concepts and theoretical perspectives with the goals of encouraging critical analysis, increasing social knowledge, and developing communication skills.
Social Historian/Consultant
Office of Capital Writs
• Interviewed capital defendants to substantiate mitigating circumstances, consulted with legal team on assessment and mitigating factors, and wrote social history declarations to assist defense attorneys with capital appeals.
Public Education and Outreach Coordinator
Texas Fair Defense Project
• Managed intake system for nonprofit legal advocacy organization and assisted in the delivery of direct legal assistance and information about the criminal justice system to over 350 individuals each year.
• Gathered necessary issue information from low-income individuals seeking legal assistance, made initial evaluations of their needs and eligibility for program services and recommended service plans to supervising attorney. Helped individuals prepare pro se requests for appointed counsel and advised them on how to respond to common practices that make it difficult for low-income individuals to obtain a court-appointed lawyer.
• Communicated with judges, court coordinators, and other court personnel across the state to address and resolve problems affecting indigent defendants in their courts.
• Drafted educational materials designed to increased community knowledge of topics including the right to counsel, pretrial release, and court practices. Conducted "Know Your Rights" presentations in numerous Texas communities. Educated community advocates, including organizations that work with victims of domestic abuse, the immigrant community, and young adults, on issues affecting low-income defendants in Texas courts.
• Identified unlawful trends and court practices and participated in the development of strategies to address statewide problems affecting our client population by providing logistical and research support, including investigative work, fact gathering, affidavit collection, and statistical analysis of statewide data for legal action and organization publications.
Worker Rights Advocate/Day Labor Organizer
Equal Justice Center
• Advocated for immigrant workers' rights before the Austin City Council and other organizations with vested interests, trained and informed day laborers about their rights, and negotiated with local employers to reclaim unpaid wages.
Published: September 24, 2024