I am a solo practitioner located in Valparaiso, Indiana. I was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I emigrated from Canada in 1981. I received my undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science, from Valparaiso University, magna cum laude, in 1998 with majors in both philosophy and psychology. I received my Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2001, with a concentration in Alternate Dispute Resolution.
I am a registered Mediator, a Collaborative Law Attorney, a Guardian ad litem, and a Parenting Coordinator. My training and education include mediation training for domestic relation cases, as well as civil cases. I have been appointed by the Court to serve as Guardian ad litem and as a parenting coordinator representing the interests of children. I began my Collaborative Law training with the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) through the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois, and have completed advanced training with the IACP in Chicago and Phoenix. I received my Parenting Coordinator training with Ann Marie Termini, M.S., L.P.C., through the Indiana State Bar Association in 2014. As a member of the Lake County Bar Association, I signed the Lake County Attorney Pledge in 2007, affirming my commitment to the principals of the cooperative parenting model.
I attend continuing legal education seminars in the areas of Divorce and Family Law, Mediation, Collaborative Law, and Estate Planning. I am a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Porter County Bar Association, the Lake County Bar Association, and the Women Lawyers Association, Inc. I am also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, a member and a board member of the Indiana Association of Mediators, and a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC).
