A Thoughtful And Caring Approach To Your Legal Needs

Philosophy

My philosophy is to provide compassionate, effective and high-quality family law legal services, primarily focusing on Collaborative Law and Mediation.

I am focused on helping my clients reach the best legal, financial and emotional result possible. I believe in working towards constructive outcomes so that you and your spouse can live a better life.

I help you to identify your goals, interests, and needs and to come up with creative solutions that work. I match the approach to your needs and interests. Creating a safe environment in which to do this is part of my job, as well as educating and informing you of the various options available to you so you can make the best choices possible for you and your family.

Minimizing emotional pain and conflict of my clients is a goal of mine. I want you to feel at the end of the day that you did your best, and now you are ready to move on and live your life in a positive manner.

I practice yoga and try to bring the strength, calmness, peace and clarity to my law and mediation practice.

Biography

I bring a strong academic background, a wealth of life experience and a values-based philosophy to my family collaborative law and mediation practice. I received my J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2002. Prior to law school, I graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with majors in English and Spanish. I studied abroad for one year in Lima, Peru. I have an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from Indiana University (1995), and I spent two years working overseas in Tegucigalpa, Honduras working as a teacher and a teacher trainer. I have lived in Seattle for close to twenty years. Prior to attending law school, I taught at Seattle Central Community College for five years. When I graduated from law school, I chose to do family law because it was a natural fit for me: I love children, working with parents to nourish and preserve their families, and working towards a humane and just way to serve families’ legal needs. It is important to me to help individuals who are facing difficulty, and to help them overcome adversity and see hope. If I can help and support my clients during this transitional time with respect, that is a great reward for me.  Having raised two beautiful children, I understand the importance and the intricacies of raising children and protecting and nurturing your family. Simply put, my philosophy is to combine compassion, with a just result.

Mission

I have also regularly volunteered in my children’s schools ever since they could walk and talk, and am an active alumnae with Seattle University School of Law. In my free time, I cook and garden with my family, walk my dog Harry, and go to yoga classes.