I have a Law and Mediation practice that helps clients find collaborative solutions to separation, divorce and other family matters. Collaborative Divorce Attorney and Mediator Throughout my life I have had an interest in the complexity of family relationships. My undergraduate major was in psychology and I focused on family and child development. One of my first professional jobs was working at a Family Service Center on a military base assisting service members and their family members with problems such as relocation, marital separation, financial support, and parenting. It was fulfilling to help troubleshoot issues, identify resources and help these families while in transition. During this time I was trained as a family mediator and began working with parties mediating their disputes. I obtained my law degree to better understand the legal implications involved when families separate. I then began learning the practice of family law and representing clients in various processes. For the first 13 years of my law career I developed a mediation practice, while representing clients in negotiation and litigation. Since my passion is helping people resolve issues out of court, I transitioned to a practice dedicated solely to settlement agreements and parenting plans. Approximately fifty percent of my current work is representing a client in settlement negotiations via collaborative divorce or more traditional negotiation. The other fifty percent of my time is working as a Mediator - a neutral facilitating settlement discussions with both parties present. I frequently attend trainings and meetings with other collaborative divorce professionals and have developed a network of professionals that I can refer clients to. These other professionals can work in a respectful and productive manner assisting a couple with various aspects of their settlement (i.e., financial specialists, child specialists, divorce coaches, and mortgage brokers). I appreciate the opportunity to work with clients and professionals who are interested in working toward an out-of-court settlement with a quality resolution that will serve the parties over time - legally, financially, emotionally and otherwise.
