Francisco J. Gonzalez

Past

Assistant Director, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office at The University of Arizona
Diversity Trainer and Investigator at South Central College, North Mankato, MN
Associate Attorney at Somsen, Mueller, Lowther & Franta PA

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato
Assistant Public Defender, 5th Judicial District at Office of the Public Defender
Staff Attorney, SMRLS-Mankato at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Law Clerk-Community Liaison at Sprenger & Lang PLLC
Research Assistant, House of Representatives Research Department, at Minnesota House of Representatives
Law Clerk, SMRLS-Mankato, at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Bilingual Financial Assistance Specialist at Blue Earth County Human Services, Mankato, MN

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7 more...

Education

Hamline University School of Law
Minnesota State University, Mankato
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus

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Recommended

1 person has recommended Francisco J.

Connections

139 connections

Industry

Government Administration

Websites

My Company

Francisco J. Gonzalez’s Summary

Highly accomplished, meticulously organized and detailed attorney with a proven track record of success conducting legal research, analysis, trial preparation, and document drafting. Wide-range of experience representing petitioners in family reunification and asylum immigration claims, defendants in juvenile and adult criminal cases, and as an administrative law investigator and adjudicator has contributed to exceptional, broad based legal knowledge. Proven ability to logically and effectively analyze statutes, ordinances, case law, and factual data. Outstanding ability to be concise, complete, logical, objective and persuasive in both written and oral communications. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, with lesser proficiency in German, French and Arabic.

Francisco J. Gonzalez’s Specialties:

Bilingual (Spanish-English); basic knowledge of Arabic; expertise in immigration-related employment and benefits issues

Francisco J. Gonzalez’s Experience

Assistant Director, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office

The University of Arizona

(Educational Institution; 5001-10,000 employees; Higher Education industry)

August 2005 — July 2006 (1 year )

Conduct investigations, from intake to writing the final report, and to assist in providing education and training in areas related to discrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action.
Diversity Trainer and Investigator

South Central College, North Mankato, MN

(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Higher Education industry)

November 2004 — August 2005 (10 months)

Investigate harassment and discrimination complaints, and provide training and resources on cultural diversity issues for a consortium of community and technical colleges in south-central Minnesota.
Associate Attorney

Somsen, Mueller, Lowther & Franta PA

(Partnership; 1-10 employees; Law Practice industry)

April 2002 — October 2004 (2 years 7 months)

Full-time work on a 7-attorney law firm with offices in New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, and Mankato, Minnesota in the areas of real estate, criminal defense, personal injury, employment law, family law and immigration.
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Ethnic Studies

Minnesota State University, Mankato

(Educational Institution; 1001-5000 employees; Higher Education industry)

September 2003 — May 2004 (9 months)

Teaching one course per semester, as part-time instructor, with the Ethnic Studies Department. For Fall Semester (Sept-Dec. 2003) taught ETHN 330 Immigration and Ethnicity; for Spring Semester (Jan-May 2004) taught ETHN 100 American Racial Minorities.
Assistant Public Defender, 5th Judicial District

Office of the Public Defender

(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Legal Services industry)

April 2002 — June 2003 (1 year 3 months)

Part-time work providing legal representation to low-income criminal defendants (Juvenile, Misdemeanor, and Gross Misdemeanor cases) in Watonwan County, Minnesota.
Staff Attorney, SMRLS-Mankato

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Legal Services industry)

August 2000 — April 2002 (1 year 9 months)

Provide legal advice and representation to eligible low-income clients in the areas of family law, government benefits and immigration; develop and implement outreach
initiatives to assist the local Chicano-Latino and Somali communities know and enforce their rights under the law. Immigration cases processed include 35 relative-based petitions
Law Clerk-Community Liaison

Sprenger & Lang PLLC

(Partnership; 11-50 employees; Law Practice industry)

January 2000 — May 2000 (5 months)

Assisted private law firm in the research of employment discrimination claims for class action certification; served as liaison and networking source between the Chicano-Latino community and the lead attorney on discrimination cases

http://www.sprengerlang.com/
Research Assistant, House of Representatives Research Department,

Minnesota House of Representatives

(Government Agency; 201-500 employees; Government Administration industry)

October 1999 — May 2000 (8 months)

Student intern. Assisted in gathering, analyzing and presenting information on a wide variety of legal and public policy issues as requested by members of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Law Clerk, SMRLS-Mankato,

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Legal Services industry)

June 1998 — August 1998 (3 months)

Studnet intern. Researched case law, investigated issues and gathered information in family law and landlord-tenant cases. Served as translator for clients and staff attorneys, and compiled a list of bilingual resources for the Chicano-Latino community.
Bilingual Financial Assistance Specialist

Blue Earth County Human Services, Mankato, MN

(Government Agency; 11-50 employees; Government Administration industry)

April 1992 — June 1997 (5 years 3 months)

Determined eligibility (including immigration status ) and ongoing management of an average of 130 cases of public assistance recipients. Translated county forms and informational material into Spanish.

Francisco J. Gonzalez’s Education

Hamline University School of Law

Juris Doctor , Law , 1997 — 2000

Activities and Societies:

President, Hispanic Student Association; member, Native American Student Association; Multicultural Student Association
Minnesota State University, Mankato

Masters , History , 1988 — 1992

Activities and Societies:

Hispanic Student Association, worked at the Office of Multicultural Affairs
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus

Bachelors , History , 1983 — 1988

Activities and Societies:

Banda Colegial