Brief Bio

EDUCATION
I am a California native, born and raised in Pasadena, a product of local schools and colleges, and a graduate, cum laude¸ of Seattle University School of Law.

MEDIATION TRAINING

1990 Confluence Northwest, Portland, OR
1996 Basic Divorce Mediation, with Jim Melamed, Portland, OR
2002 Centinela Youth Services, Los Angeles, community mediation
2003 Advanced Divorce Mediation, with Ken Cloke, Santa Monica, CA
2003 STRAUS Institute, STAR Basic Mediation
2006 STRAUS Institute, Advanced Family Mediation
2006 Advanced Collaborative Mediation, LACFLA
2006 – present ongoing advanced training, with Forrest Mosten
2007 Advanced Family Mediation / Collaborative, Forrest Mosten
2008 Elder Mediation, Transformative Model, UCSB
2009 Elder Mediation, ARMS Model, CSU Dominguez Hills

LEGAL CAREER
I have been a Navy JAG officer, a Special Assistant US Attorney, a lawyer in private practice (approximately one-third of my cases were in family law), and Assistant County Counsel in Jackson County, Oregon. I am an inactive member of the Oregon State Bar and Washington State Bar. As a mediator, I do not provide legal advice, but I am happy to provide referrals to California lawyers who support mediation as your preferred approach to problem solving.

MEDIATION
My work concentrates on families in conflict, including divorce and elder/adult family mediation. I also provide preventive mediation services for couples contemplating marriage or remarriage, and online mediation services.

PERSONAL
I am a divorced mother of a young adult son. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, dancing, and pursuing a spiritual quest.