Experience

• University of Connecticut School of Law

  Adjunct

  Michelle worked at University of Connecticut School of Law as a Adjunct

• Office of the Victim Advocate

  State Victim Advocate

  Appointed by Governor M. Jodi Rell to head the Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA), an independent agency, charged with enforcing the protection of Constitutional Rights of crime victims throughout the state of Connecticut. Responsibilities include: accepting complaints from crime victims (in excess of 900 per year); proposing new legislative initiatives and policies to address gaps in services to crime victims; evaluating the delivery of statewide services to crime victims; facilitating educational and outreach to enhance crime victims' rights awareness throughout the state; conducting trainings to state agencies and other organizations that interface with crime victims; appearing in court to address crime victims' rights violations, and managing all agency-wide administration, including budgetary issues, contracts, and supervision of OVA staff. Presented the following trainings: Trying Child Sexual Assault Cases in CT, 11/2008; Identity Theft Co-sponsored by TRIAD, Mystic, CT 10/2008; Restraining Orders and Protective Orders in CT; /2008; "Best Practices for Advocating for Crime Victims"

• Hampden County District Attorney's Office

  Assistant District Attorney

  Assistant District Attorney speacializing in prosecution of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault.

• Superior Court

  Assistant District Attorney

  Assigned to the Family Protection Unit, prosecuting sexual assaults, domestic violence and child abuse cases.

• Law Offices of Attorney Michelle S. Cruz

  Owner

  The Law Offices of Attorney Michelle S. Cruz is a full service law practice with a focus on crime victims' rights, civil rights litigation, family law, children's law, Title IX investigations and criminal law serving both MA and CT.
  
  Attorney Cruz is admitted to practice in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and before the United States District of Massachusetts and Connecticut.