I've been practicing law for over twenty years, almost all of it in Thurston County Family and Juvenile Court. I became a family law Guardian ad Litem in 2011, and served in that role for many years. I have accepted various court appointments over the years, representing minor children in dependency cases; both parents and children in minor guardianship cases; and petitioners in domestic violence protection order cases. I have occasionally served as a Title 4 GAL to investigate a party's competency. In 2024, I was honored to begin serving the community in the capacity of Pro Tem Settlement Conference Judge, and my interest in that led me to take the Professional Mediation Training offered by the Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center, so that I may join the list of court-approved private mediators in 2025. I became a lawyer because I like to help people and have a penchant for finding creative solutions to difficult problems. I understand how stressful family law is for the client, so I remain accessible at all times, whether it be by email, telephone, or even text. I'm also mindful of the financial impact the case has on a client - hiring a lawyer is expensive, but the costs should not be unreasonable. I like to teach, so strive to educate the client along the way, both regarding the law and the process, so that they may make informed decisions about their case. I believe that the best outcome is an agreed one, but I do also spend plenty of time in court arguing my client's position when a reasonable settlement cannot be reached. I love what I do and consider myself fortunate to be in a profession that allows me to help people in such a profound way, while also giving me the freedom to pursue personal pursuits, such as playing basketball, listening to music, and teaching others D&D (including the afterschool club I founded at my kids' school). I live in Olympia with my two children.