Personal Portfolio Disclaimer
This portfolio reflects Daniel McCombs' individual academic and professional pursuits. Content herein does not represent the positions, policies, or institutional views of Quasi-Legal Institute, which maintains strict nonpartisan principles in all educational programming. This page exists separately from QLI's core mission and may include personal perspectives on legal and political matters.
Professional Summary
Legal Studies and Political Science student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison pursuing dual certificates in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Focused on the intersection of law, governance, and equity through hands-on experience in legislative research, legal internships, and community advocacy. Founder of Quasi-Legal Institute, a civic education nonprofit dedicated to public accountability and constitutional literacy. Seeking opportunities in legal nonprofits, government agencies, and law firms to apply research, advocacy, and analytical skills while advancing justice reform.
Core Values & Career Objectives
- •Justice & Equity: Advancing criminal justice reform and ensuring equal protection for all communities under law
- •Public Accountability: Promoting government transparency and exposing quasi-legal behavior through investigative research
- •Civic Education: Democratizing access to constitutional knowledge through innovative, peer-driven learning platforms
- •Community Engagement: Supporting justice-impacted individuals through direct advocacy and restorative programming
- •Graduate Education: Pursue J.D. and M.P.P. degrees to build expertise in law and public policy
- •Legal Practice: Practice as a government relations attorney focusing on state and local issues, or in corporate law specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and governance
- •Public Service Commitment: Maintain long-term focus on public-sector work in alignment with Truman Scholarship values
- •Civic Innovation: Continue developing accessible tools that strengthen democratic participation and constitutional literacy
Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison
B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies
Certificates: Criminal Justice and Public Policy
Georgetown University
Leadership Initiatives Program
Advanced Law & Trial Internship
Malcolm X College
City Colleges of Chicago
Early College Program
Illinois Institute of Technology
Elevate College Prep Program
Gamified Experience Development
Professional Experience
Founder & Executive Director
Quasi-Legal Institute Incorporated
Madison, WI (Remote)
Mission & Impact
Founded and scaled an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to democratizing civic education and exposing quasi-legal government behavior through innovative digital platforms. QLI serves as a nonpartisan constitutional education resource, empowering citizens with accessible tools to understand their rights, track policy developments, and engage meaningfully in democratic processes.
Key Achievements & Responsibilities
- •Strategic Leadership: Spearheaded all aspects of organizational development from concept to incorporation, including IRS 501(c)(3) application, bylaws drafting, board formation, and programmatic strategy
- •Digital Platform Development: Designed and launched QuasiLegalInstitute.org featuring 100+ interactive civic education games, professional certification programs, ICE detention tracking, government agency directory, and constitutional learning resources
- •Educational Innovation: Created comprehensive certification programs in Public Policy, Criminal Justice, Constitutional Law, Human Rights, Judicial Studies, and Pre-Law covering legal procedures, Supreme Court cases, and democratic principles
- •Interactive Learning Systems: Developed engaging game-based learning experiences covering Bill of Rights, Supreme Court cases, voting rights, police encounters, government structure, and constitutional amendments
- •Government Accountability Tools: Built ICE detention facility tracking system, government shutdown monitoring, federal agency directory, and memorial documentation resources
- •Partnership & Outreach: Built strategic relationships with educational institutions, advocacy organizations, and civic engagement groups to expand organizational reach and amplify impact
- •Content Development: Authored original educational materials, policy analyses, and research reports on constitutional law, civil rights, and systemic justice issues
Core Platform Features
Interactive Games (100+)
- • Constitutional amendments challenges
- • Supreme Court landmark cases
- • Police encounter simulations
- • Federal government structure
- • Voting rights & civil rights history
- • LSAT preparation materials
Civic Resources & Tools
- • ICE detention facility tracker
- • Government shutdown monitoring
- • Federal agencies directory
- • Professional certifications (6 programs)
- • Legal primers & policy guides
- • Memorial documentation
Organizational Vision
Quasi-Legal Institute represents a commitment to bridging the gap between complex legal systems and everyday citizens. By making constitutional education accessible, engaging, and actionable, QLI empowers individuals to hold government accountable, understand their rights, and participate meaningfully in democratic governance. The organization serves as a model for how nonprofit innovation can advance civic literacy and strengthen democratic institutions.
Community Justice Intern
Kolbe House, Archdiocese of Chicago
Chicago, IL
- •Provided direct support to justice-impacted individuals and families through case management, resource navigation, and community advocacy
- •Facilitated restorative justice circles and reentry programming designed to support successful community reintegration
- •Collaborated with multidisciplinary staff to develop educational resources and conduct workshops on justice reform and systemic change
Field Intern
Andrea Gordillo for New York City Council - District 2
Remote
- •Executed high-volume voter contact operations to advance candidate platform and mobilize support in NYC District 2
- •Engaged directly with constituents to address concerns, gather voter intelligence, and maintain accurate contact records in campaign database
- •Represented campaign professionally in all voter interactions, contributing to increased name recognition and community trust
- •Participated in regular strategy sessions with field staff to refine messaging and optimize voter outreach efficiency
International Law & Advocacy Intern
Remote International Internship Program
Bauchi State, Nigeria (Remote)
- •Designed comprehensive advocacy campaign addressing critical legal and social issue in Bauchi State through collaborative research and stakeholder engagement
- •Conducted policy research and analysis to inform strategic campaign development in partnership with local and international organizations
- •Delivered formal presentations and actionable policy recommendations to project stakeholders and community partners
Advanced Law & Trial Intern
Georgetown University Leadership Initiatives
Washington, D.C.
- •Collaborated with Harden Pinckney PLLC on active D.C. Superior Court litigation, contributing to trial strategy and case development
- •Conducted legal research, drafted case summaries, and prepared comprehensive trial materials under attorney supervision
- •Prepared expert witness for testimony through rigorous direct and cross-examination practice sessions
- •Advocated for client interests before congressional offices, presenting case directly to federal legislators and senior staff
- •Observed courtroom proceedings and participated in attorney strategy discussions throughout trial preparation
Key Competencies Developed:
Skills & Competencies
- • Legal research & analysis
- • Policy writing & proposals
- • Case summaries & memoranda
- • Legislative research
- • Constitutional law
- • Public speaking & presentations
- • Written communication
- • Advocacy & persuasion
- • Cross-cultural communication
- • Stakeholder engagement
- • Leadership & collaboration
- • Project management
- • Time management
- • Critical thinking
- • Organization & planning
Certifications & Courses
Ethics in Public Policy
O.P. Jindal Global University
July 2025
Moral Foundations of Politics
Yale University
June 2025
Understanding Political Concepts
Università di Napoli Federico II
June 2025
Using Public Policy for Social Change
University of Michigan
June 2025