attorney

In Year 2018 I was able to achieve a personal goal and became an addition to the small group of Certified Family Law Legal Specialists with the State Bar of California. I have been practicing family law for over ten years and have completed an extensive course in Divorce Mediation.  That education continues to expand into training for Minor's Counsel, Parenting Coordination, and Temporary Judicial appointments.  Currently I am on the list of approved Minor's Counsel in Contra Costa County and I hope to expand into Alameda County as well.  Parenting Coordination is a quasi-judicial role and I find that taking the temporary judge training assists in maintaining neutral and unbiased positions, especially in my mediation and parenting coordination practice.  Although I have not served as a temporary judge at this time, I do hope to begin serving in that role in the near future.

Although I am an experienced litigator and have a knack for details, in recent years I have been focusing on helping separating couples reach mutual agreements for the best interests of their families. I try to assist the parties in remaining child focused on custody issues and resolution focused on property issues. As some one who has experienced a full range of litigation I feel that most families are best served when they are able to come to the table together, express their concerns and desires, and try to work out something that both Parties can live with, or even be happy with.  It is important to me that all of my clients are able to understand and weigh the costs or benefits of their positions. 

I also offer affordable document preparation services to those who need the assistance of an attorney but are not in the market for full representation.  

On a personal note, I was born and raised in middle Tennessee. Although I love and miss the country life, my family, and the farm I grew up on, I also love my life here in the Bay Area. From sky diving in Byron, caving in Vallecito, crabbing in Monterey, to enjoying a bonfire at Ocean Beach, my husband and I (along with our two girls now) try to take advantage of all the beauties and adventures Northern California has to offer.

I relocated to the Bay Area with my husband in 2007.  Prior to my relocation I graduated with honors from Volunteer State Community College with my Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies and from Middle Tennessee State University with my Bachelors Degree in Political Science.

After settling into my new home, I began attending Golden Gate University School of Law and graduated in Year 2010.  During law school I interned with the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.  Shortly after graduation and being admitted to the State Bar, I began practicing family law.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, eating good food, running, and traveling.  Before the addition of our two beautiful daughters, my husband and I were traveling to Thailand, Laos, Miramar, Turkey, Mexico, and various islands in the Caribbean.  We enjoy off-roading, visiting as many National Parks as we can, and we plan to travel domestically while our children are young.  We hope to continue our international trekking as soon as our girls are old enough to take the long plane rides. If you have any recommendations for travel locations, I would love to hear them.