The Candidates
- Hilary O’Connor Mueri (Brugg, Aargau)
- Hilary O’Connor Mueri (Brugg, Aargau)
-
I am a Democrat, an expat, a combat veteran, a lawyer, but most importantly, I am a concerned American. As such, I am honored to apply for the position of Counsel to Democrats Abroad Switzerland.
I attended The Ohio State University on a full academic scholarship, graduating with a BS in Aviation Engineering in 1999. I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and immediately began flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Over the course of my career, I flew the F-14D Tomcat, F/A-18B/D Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and F-16B Fighting Falcon. My time in the military included combat missions in Iraq for which I received the Strike/Flight Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for heroic achievement, and a tour as a Strike/Fighter Instructor at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, teaching advanced tactics to over 250 aviators per year. Beyond my personal achievements, I was proud to lead a team of 30 aircraft mechanics resulting in a 100% sortie completion rate during combat operations and award-winning personnel retention rates.
I left the military after eight years of active duty service. I attended the University of San Diego School of Law, moving to Los Angeles to work for Perkins Coie LLP upon graduation in 2010. My main focus was product liability and corporate litigation, part of a team defending multimillion dollar lawsuits, but I was also privileged to perform hundreds of hours of pro bono work, fighting for residency visas for undocumented immigrants who were the victims of violent crime and fighting for the rights of a homeless woman in an insurance dispute.
As a naval officer, I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States; as a lawyer, I gained a much more in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the nuance of the constitution’s protections and again swore an oath to support the Constitution as part of my admission to the State Bar of California. Like so many other Democrats, I am pained to watch the systematic perversion and outright destruction of the very foundation of our nation. I am excited by this opportunity to help give voice to the expat community of Switzerland in resisting the unconstitutional efforts of those who would twist the Constitution for personal gain.
Additionally, American ex-pats face special challenges, from the FATCA and FBAR to medical insurance access to the challenges hindering foreign residents pursuing their right to vote. I would be privileged to advocate on behalf of our community for tangible, positive change as well as to empower local Americans in overcoming many of these hurdles.
In my spare time, I’m an avid knitter, mediocre skier, half marathoner, and voracious reader. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the DACH community as Counsel.