The Early Years
I was born in Portage, Indiana, raised in San Luis Obispo, California, and now call La Mesa home. Although separated by thousands of miles, these three places share something meaningful: each has the warmth and character of a small town.
Growing up in a small-town environment taught me to appreciate life’s simple joys—a beautiful day, time spent outside, a friendly conversation, and the comfort of belonging to a community. It also taught me the importance of relationships. Family, friends, and community have always been central to my life, and those values continue to shape the way I practice law and care for my clients.
Education and Professional Background
For as long as I can remember, I have had both a passion for advocacy and a desire to help people. Becoming an attorney allowed me to bring those two strengths together.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Law and Society from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I then completed a dual-degree program, earning my Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, with an emphasis in Child, Family, and Elder Law, and my Master of Social Work from San Diego State University, where I completed a published thesis.
My combined education in law and social work shaped the kind of attorney I wanted to become—one who understands not only the legal issues facing a client, but also the people, relationships, and life circumstances behind them. During my education, I had the privilege of working with organizations throughout San Diego County, including the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office, Child Protective Services, Voices for Children, Homeless Court, Stand Down, the Center for Community Solutions, and the San Diego Family Justice Center.
A Career Devoted to Advocacy
I began my legal career in 2006 as a court-appointed juvenile dependency attorney, representing parents in cases involving allegations of abuse or neglect. Over the next fifteen years, I handled thousands of dependency matters involving nearly every type of family crisis and child-welfare concern.
That experience taught me how to advocate effectively during deeply personal and emotionally difficult circumstances. Although I no longer provide direct representation in dependency proceedings, I offer consultations and referrals to help individuals better understand the process and connect with experienced dependency counsel.
In 2014, I entered private practice and expanded my work to include estate planning, probate, conservatorships, guardianships, and other probate matters. Estate planning is now the primary focus of my private practice. My goal is to make the process understandable, comfortable, and personal. I take the time to listen carefully to each client, understand what matters most to them, and create an estate plan that protects the people they love and accurately reflects their wishes.
I also represent families following the loss of a loved one, helping them navigate probate and the court administration process with clarity and compassion. In conservatorship and guardianship matters, I assist clients facing difficult decisions involving incapacity, safety, independence, and the protection of a vulnerable family member.
Court-Appointed Probate Representation
I serve on the San Diego Superior Court’s court-appointed attorney panel and am regularly appointed to represent vulnerable individuals in conservatorship, guardianship, and contested probate proceedings. My clients include older adults, individuals with disabilities, children, and others whose rights, safety, independence, or financial interests may be at risk.
This work requires more than knowledge of probate law. It requires patience, sound judgment, careful listening, and the ability to recognize and protect the dignity of every individual—particularly those who may have difficulty making themselves heard.
In 2025, I was deeply honored to be selected by the judges of the San Diego Superior Court Probate Division as Court-Appointed Attorney of the Year. This recognition was especially meaningful because advocating for vulnerable individuals has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
My Family and the Heart Behind My Work
I live in La Mesa with my husband, Gabe, and our two sons, Colton and Archie. Gabe served as a United States Marine infantry machine gunner, completing two tours in Iraq and one deployment to Afghanistan. He is now a 100% disabled veteran. Our family’s experience with military service has given me a lasting appreciation for servicemembers, veterans, and the families who support them.
Colton is an amazing 13-year-old who loves video games, playing the piano, spending time with his friends, and—most of all—being home with the family he adores.A rchie is an adventurous and joyful 8-year-old who loves video games, playing the guitar, swimming, being with his friends, and staying close to the family he never wants to leave.
Unfortunately, Colton was diagnosed way later than he should have been with a learning disability and Archie, after years of incorrect diagnoses, was finally diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a rare neurological speech disorder. Walking beside them has taught me lessons that have profoundly influenced both my parenting and my professional life.
I learned not to accept an answer when I know it does not fit. I learned that meaningful advocacy is essential for people who cannot always advocate for themselves. Most importantly, I learned that individuals can overcome extraordinary challenges when they are given the right tools, appropriate support, and someone willing to stand beside them and fight for what they need.
Today, I am once again fortunate to live and work in a place with the small-town character I have always treasured. La Mesa offers the sense of connection, community, and belonging that shaped my childhood in Portage and San Luis Obispo.
Those values are also at the heart of my work. Whether I am preparing an estate plan, guiding a family through probate, or representing a vulnerable person in court, I want every client to know that they have been heard, that they matter, and that they have an advocate firmly in their corner.