Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board Laila Leigh Confirmation Resolution of 2025

M
URIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
November 5, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section
2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1- 523.01), and pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 16 -1053, I am pleased to
nominate the following individual:
Ms. Laila Leigh
Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(Ward 1)
for reappointment as a community representative member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Board, for a term to end July 20, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
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~~
at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the reappointment of Laila Leigh to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board Laila Leigh
Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
Laila Leigh
Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(Ward 1)
as a community representative member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board,
established by D.C. Official Code§ 16-1052, for a term to end July 20, 2028.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee, and to the Office of the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
LAILA ENID LEIGH

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IRSOfficeofChiefCounsel(40hours/week) Washington,DC
GeneralAttorney(Tax),Procedure&Administration,Branch7 Jan.12,2025—Present;Jun.6,2023- Nov.30,2024
eee

AdviseDivisionCounsel,theNationalTaxpayerAdvocate’sOffice,andotheragenciesoninterpretingandimplementinglegislative,regulatory,andTaxCourtproceduralchangesandexistingprecedent
Extensivelyresearchandanalyzetaxlawprecedent,regulations,andagencypositionstosupportChiefCounsel'slegalpositionsinbriefs,memorandaoflaw,TechnicalAdviceMemoranda,andChiefCounselNotices
PreparedefenselettersforappellateanddistrictcourtlitigationundertheDepartmentofJustice'sjurisdiction
Consider,research,andrespondasdirectedtoTreasuryofficialandCongressionalofficeinquiries,includingonproposedlegislativechangesReviewandrecommendchangestoproposedInternalRevenueManualsections,IRSPublications,andtaxpayer
noticesandlettersbasedoncontrollinglegalstandardsandharmonizingtaxadministrativeguidancePrepareFOIArequestresponsesandassisttheDepartmentofJusticewithcasepreparationanddiscovery
disputeresponses
InstructonlegalissueswithinP&ABranch7'ssubjectmatterexpertiseParticipateinpracticeareaworkgroupcallstoshareupdatesandproposeresponsestoemergingissues,VolunteeredtoplayrolesintheAdvancedTrialAdvocacyTrainingandtheEthicsIVT
‘ServeastheVolunteerCo-CoordinatorfortheAutomatedExternalDefibrillatorProgramundertheSenior
‘Commissioner'sRepresentativeOffice'sauspices

SeniorTechnicianReviewerDetailee,Procedure&Administration,Branch6 Dec.1,2024 —Jan.11,2025
‘ActedaslegalandtechnicaladvisortoBranchChiefonthemostdifficult,important,andcomplexprofessionalandlegalpolicymattersinthebranchtoBranchChiefandforExecutiveBriefings
‘SupportedBranchChiefinassigningworktotheattorneyandspecialistswithintheBranch,ledcase
assignmentsfor4ofmy6-weekdetailwhiletrackingassignmenthistoryandworkloadtoprovidefairrecommendationsReviewedworkofattorneyson23assignmentsduring6-weekdetailandprovidedBranchChiefwithfeedback
Actedasprincipalattorneyinchargeofrecommendingpoliciesimplementingneworamendedlegislationfor
specificareasoftaxlawandledhighvisibilityassignments,suchasrecaptureoftheEmployeeRetentionCreditfallingoutsideofexaminationprocedures,andfortheWhistleblowerOffice’sAnnualReporttoCongressRepresentedtheOfficeintrainingrelatedtosection6103disclosureissuestotheService'sAdvancedPricing
andMutualAgreementProgram

ColumbusCommunityLegalServices,TheCatholicUniversityofAmerica(35hours/week) Washington,DC
Director,LowIncomeTaxpayerClinic Feb.2023-May2023‘SupervisingAttomey/QualifiedTaxExpert,LowIncomeTaxpayerClinicAug.2016-May2021;Jan.2022-Feb.2023Mentoredandsupervisedupto10studentattorneysinfast-paced,highvolumeclinicallegalsetting
ManagedtheLITCclinic'sintake,caseassignments,casesdockets,andcasetransfersbetweensemesters
‘Supervisedstudentattorneysincommunityserviceprojectsincludingtaxeducationalworkshops,theU.S.TaxCourt'sCalendarCallprogram,andIRSCounsel'sSettlementDaysManagedfulltimesummerassociatestudentattorneysinfederalincometax,familylaw,andimmigration
matters
Co-instructed4-6credittransition-to-practiceandexperientiallearningcourseinfederalincometaxlaw,federalincometaxcontroversypracticeandprocedure,andkeylawyeringsh
CollaborativelyrepresentedtaxpayersbeforetheInternalRevenueServiceandU.S.TaxCourtindiversematters,includingauditsofunreportedincome,family-basedtaxcredits,businessexpenses;InnocentSpouserelief;securingcollectionremediessuchasInstallmentAgreementsandOffersinCompromise;andapplyingfor
abatementsofpenalties

● Cultivated and grew community partnerships to provide better services
● Developed and delivered professional training and technical assistance on federal income tax law and practice
● Showcased program accomplishments and materials in funder site visits and through drafting semi-annual
reports
Acting Director, Families and the Law Clinic May – Dec. 2021; May – August 2022
● Instructed 4-6 credit transition-to-practice family law and domestic violence substantive law and practice course
co-instructed lawyering skills course
● Mentored and supervised 8 student attorneys holistically representing clients in civil protection order, child
support, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases
● Supervised student attorneys on DC Superior Court’s Family Court Attorney Negotiator community project,
where we helped pro se litigants resolve family law cases, and coordinated outcomes with court personnel
● Supervised student attorneys and coordinated with partnered clinics in cross-border clinical project where we
examined campus sexual assault and sexual harassment policies in 3 countries
● Oversaw all active cases and programmatic needs and supervised family law summer associate in Summer 2022
Clinical Fellow Aug. 2010 – Mar. 2011
● Researched and assisted in the implementation of the Clinic’s community legal education initiatives
● Developed promotional materials for diverse audiences, including clinicians, alumni, and prospective students
Break the Cycle (40+ hours/week) Washington, DC
Legal Services Manager Jan. 2014 – Jun. 2016
● Conducted training and supervision of Staff Attorneys, volunteer attorneys, legal interns, and other volunteers
● Supervised, set goals with and for, and review the performance of legal services staff
● Represented youth ages 12 to 24 in all aspects of domestic violence and domestic relations litigation, and
provided legal advocacy services in related criminal matters
● Cultivated cooperative partnerships and relationships with national and local agencies, community members,
volunteers, and supporters with the goals of assessing, analyzing, and proposing solutions to issues and
problems surrounding provision of domestic violence services for youth
● Provided training and technical assistance to key community partners and service providers
● Served as a public representative of the organization and expert on teen domestic and dating violence
● Developed and implemented legal services programs strategies and monitored progress toward goals
● Participated in writing legal services program budgets and manage expense budgets for legal services projects
● Tracked and reported program outcomes and efficacy for reports to funders and community partners
● Supported and assisted in fundraising, media, and communications efforts to further program goals
Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. (37.5 hours/week) Riverdale, MD
Family Law Staff Attorney Mar. 2011 – Jan. 2014
● Represented low-income clients in all aspects of complex divorce, contested child custody, and domestic
violence protective order litigation in three counties with a focus on immigrants and survivors of domestic
violence
● Liaised with community organizations, police, court personnel, and team of eight staff to coordinate client care
and ensure the safety and economic stability of clients and their children
● Chaired state-wide Family Law Task Force, providing leadership and coordinating family law attorney trainings
Survivors and Advocates For Empowerment (SAFE) Washington, DC
Court Advocate/On-Call Advocacy Program Advocate Dec. 2010 – Mar. 2011
ADMISSIONS T
O PRACTICE
Mar
yland, 2010
District of Columbia, 2014
United States Tax Court, 2016
United States District Court for the District of Columbia, 2018 (inactive)
SELECT COMMUNITY SERVICE
District of Columbia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
Co-Chair Jan. 2022 – present
Community Member Dec. 2015 – Jan. 2022
● Review, analyze, and report on factual circumstances, system contacts, and patterns in domestic violence
fatalities to District of Columbia Mayor and City Council
● Recommend greater coordinated community response, prevention and education measures, and other systemic
improvements to prevent domestic violence fatalities to District of Columbia Mayor and City Council
Catholic Charities Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program 2023, 2019, 2018
Volunteer Reviewer/Preparer
● Prepared and reviewed federal and state income tax returns for English and Spanish-speaking taxpayers
SELEC
T PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATION
Co-Presenter, Protecting Taxpayer Information when Interacting with Third Parties: IRC Section 6103, Form 8821, & Form
2848, Advanced Pricing & Mutual Agreement (APMA) Townhall, Washington, DC (virtual), January 22, 2025 and January
17, 2024.
Co-Presenter, Deficiencies & Decision Documents, P&A Subject Matter Training, Washington, DC (virtual), August 28,
2024.
Panelist, Human Trafficking Prevention, Mary’s Center, Washington, DC, January 25, 2023 (tax & employment red flags).
Presenter, Tax Issues and Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors, DC DV Advocates, Washington, DC (virtual),
December 12, 2022.
Presenter, Tax Filing 101 for Former Foreign Service Nationals and Their Families, USAID Staff Care Service Center,
Washington, DC (virtual), March 23, 2022.
Panelist, Settlement Days: Partnering to Support Unrepresented Taxpayers in Tax Court, Federal Bar Association Annual
Tax Conference, Washington, DC, March 5, 2020 (CLE credit).
Co-Presenter, Healthy or Not?, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Family Violence Prevention & Services
Program, Washington, DC, February 9, 2016.

Presenter, Domestic Violence Advocacy Certification Training (DVACT), Washington, DC, November 21, 2014, June 23,
2015, and November 19, 2015.
Presenter, Advocating for Young Survivors, National Training and Institute on Protection Order Practice for Attorneys and
Advocates, Washington, DC, May 27, 2015.

Keynote Speaker, Start Talking Tech! Relationships, Technology, and You, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
iStand Youth Summit, Tampa, FL, February 21, 2015.

Presenter, Dating Violence, Response, and Intervention Strategies, Department of Justice Office on Violence against
Women Staff Training, Washington, DC, October 16, 2014.
Presenter, Dating Violence: Advocating for Young Survivors, Nebraska County Attorneys Association Fall Conference (3.5
hour training for CLE credit), Omaha, NE, October 9, 2014.
Colleen Gallopin and Laila Leigh, Teen Perceptions of Dating Violence, Help-Seeking, and the Role of Schools, 16(1)
PREVENTION RESEARCHER 17 (2009).

FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Spanish, professional proficiency in oral and written Spanish, provided direct representation to Spanish-speaking clients,
experience in sight translation and written document translation
Farsi, elementary proficiency
EDUC
ATION AND HONORS
Colum
bus School of Law, The Catholic University of America, Juris Doctor, May 2010
● Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA) Outstanding Student Award, 2010
● Charles and Louise O’Brien Fellowship for pro bono service, 2008
L
oyola University Chicago, Honors B.A., International Studies, Political Science, magna cum laude, April 2004
● Presidential Scholarship for academic excellence, 2001 – 2004
● Damon Scholarship for academic excellence, 2000 – 2001
● Gannon Award for women’s leadership, 2004
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Laila Leigh
M
s. Laila Leigh serves as General Attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel
at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Before joining the IRS, Ms. Leigh
served as the Supervising Attorney at Columbus Community Legal
Services, the in -house firm and clinical legal program at the Catholic
University of America Columbus School of Law. In the Low -Income
Taxpayer Clinic, Ms. Leigh supervised students and post -graduate
fellows representing clients with federal income tax controversies before
the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Tax Court. Ms. Leigh co-taught
the Clinic’s course covering foundational lawyering skills and federal
income tax practice. She directly advise d clients, held community
educational workshops for taxpayers, and provide d technical assistance
to professionals.
B
etween May 2021 and December 2021, Ms. Leigh supervised the Families and the Law Clinic
where she served as the Acting Director from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. There, Ms.
Leigh managed all aspects of the clinical legal program including instructing the substantive family
and domestic violence law course, mentoring student attorneys, and overseeing community
outreach projects.
P
rior to joining the Low -Income Taxpayer Clinic, Ms. Leigh managed the Policy and Legal
Services Program at Break the Cycle (now part of Network for Victim Recovery DC). Break the
Cycle was a national non-profit organization serving youth who experienced dating violence,
sexual assault, or stalking. Ms. Leigh’s professional interests include federal income tax issues
affecting individuals and families, dating and domestic violence, domestic relations, the
intersection of tax and gender-based violence, social justice lawyering , and clinical legal
education.
A
Ward 3 resident, Ms. Leigh earned her Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University of Chicago and
her Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America.

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: October 28, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Laila Leigh as a member of
the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________

Elizabeth Cavendish