Exhibit J-1

Case: 2:18-cv-00272-MHW-CMV Doc #: 87-28 Filed: 02/01/21 Page: 1 of 3 PAGEID #: 3242
MALITA VENCIENZO PICASSO

EDUCATION

City University of New York School of Law J.D., May 2019

GPA: 3.813

Awards: 2019 Dave Fields Prize for Student Achievement and Leadership

CUNY Law School Graduate Fellowship

Activities: Editor-in-Chief, The City University of New York Law Review

President, CUNY Law School Student Government

Delegate, CUNY University Student Senate

Executive Board, Luis Degraffe Racial and Social Justice Orientation

Stanford University B.A., Feminist Studies, June 2012

Honors: 2012 Black Community Services Center Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence

Awards: 2012 Ernesto Galarza Prize for Undergraduate Research Paper, Chicano Studies

2012 Michelle Z. Rosaldo Prize for Essay in Social Sciences, Feminist Studies

Activities: Stanford Labor Action Coalition; Associated Students of Stanford University

EXPERIENCE

American Civil Liberties Union: LGBT & HIV Project September 2019 – Present

Skadden Fellow – New York, NY

Advocate on behalf of transgender elders who experience discrimination while obtaining elder-related 

medical treatment and living assistance. Draft brief in support of motion for summary judgement in matter 

before a state labor agency. Assist with deposition of government officials. Work with damages expert in 

producing an expert report and preparing for administrative trial in constructive discharge case. Conduct 

direct examination of expert witness at trial and defend cross-examination. Drafting pre- and post-trial 

briefing. Interview and draft declarations for individuals in ICE custody at high risk of severe illness and 

death from COVID-19 in support of emergency litigation seeking their release due to unconstitutional 

conditions of confinement in Illinois jails. Draft sections of Habeas Corpus petitions. Conduct legal research 

for expedited briefing and oral argument. Organizing and analyzing discovery. Edit and cite check brief in 

opposition to petition for certiorari filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.

NYC Commission on Human Rights September 2018 – December 2018

Clinical Placement – New York, NY

Review intakes filed with the Commission by transgender individuals who have been denied employment, 

housing, and public accommodations on the basis of gender, in violation of the New York City Human 

Rights Law. Conduct legal research on the legal standards to hold an employer labile for the discriminatory 

behavior of a supervising employee under local, state and federal law. Draft pleadings to commence the 

investigation process in claims of gender-based discrimination against transgender people.

American Civil Liberties Union: Racial Justice Project June 2018 – August 2018

Summer Intern – New York, NY

Performed legal research on the life-long adverse effect of involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice 

systems on poor young people of color in preparation for litigation. The research specifically investigated 

state court policies of imposing fees, fines and costs on indigent juveniles who come into contact with the 

justice system, the penalties they face when they are unable to pay, and the irreparable consequences that 

those penalties have on the juveniles, their families and communities. Conducted research on strategies for

surviving a motion to dismiss in a §1983 action against municipal judges who have asserted the defense of 

legislative immunity.

Case: 2:18-cv-00272-MHW-CMV Doc #: 87-28 Filed: 02/01/21 Page: 2 of 3 PAGEID #: 3243
Brooklyn Defender Services June 2017 – August 2017

Summer Intern – Brooklyn, NY

Performed legal research on the conditions in which transgender and gender nonconforming inmates in the 

custody of New York City Department of Corrections (NYC DOC) are being detained in anticipation of 

trial. Collaborated with other advocacy organizations in making recommendations for important changes 

to NYC DOC housing policy that would make transgender and gender nonconforming people safer during 

pre-trial detention.

New York Civil Liberties Union July 2013 – July 2016

Paralegal – New York, NY

Provided administrative and substantive support to attorneys litigating cases encompassing an array of 

public interest issues, including indigent criminal defense reform, transgender rights, immigrant rights, and 

police accountability. Prepared and cite checked advocacy letters, FOIL/FOIA requests, Article 78 Requests 

for Judicial Intervention, briefs, and various motions to be filed in the: New York State Appellate Division, 

First, Second and Third Departments; New York State Court of Appeals; United States District Court for 

the Southern District of New York; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Fluent in Spanish.

• National Trans* Bar Association Board Member.

ADMISSIONS 

• New York Court of Appeals, Appellate Division, Second Department.

• United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Case: 2:18-cv-00272-MHW-CMV Doc #: 87-28 Filed: 02/01/21 Page: 3 of 3 PAGEID #: 3244