I have practiced family law for three decades. In that time, I have helped countless families transition out of their marriages, settling a full spectrum of complex family law matters that involve child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, and property division, including the division of high net worth estates.
Drawing on my geographical focus in San Francisco, the Peninsula, and Silicon Valley, I understand our unique economic climate and the range of related sophisticated financial issues. And when it comes to your children, I understand the highly sensitive nature of any related disputes and do my best to help you reach agreements that prioritize your family.
I focus my practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution processes that include mediation, settlement judging, consulting, coaching, and Collaborative Divorce. Whether as a mediator, settlement judge, consulting attorney, or Collaborative Counsel, I strive to minimize the emotional and financial cost to you and your family. I believe that resolving your matter outside of court allows you both to retain more control of the divorce process and reach a resolution that is specifically tailored to your lives and situation.
And if you are embarking on cohabitation or marriage, I prepare and review premarital, post-marital, and cohabitation agreements. I offer a variety of process options to create these agreements, including more traditional negotiations between counsel, collaborative 4-way meetings with counsel and clients, and mediation with consulting attorneys.
I received my law degree from the University of Michigan in 1992, after graduating cum laude from the University of California at Davis in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
HONORS
- James M. Dennis Memorial Award, San Mateo County Bar Association, 2024
- Tier 1 Family Law Firm, Best Law Firms, 2024
- Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2024, 2020
- Top 10 Northern California Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2022
- NorCal Chapter Fellow of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2018
- Top 100 Northern California Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2015-present
- Best Lawyers, 2011-present
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubble, 2009-present
- Top 50 Northern California Women Attorneys, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2009-2010, 2014-present
- Northern California Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2005-present
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS / PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPATION
- Past President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2022
- Mentor, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Mentor Group, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021-present
- President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2021
- Co-Chair, Bi-annual Trial Practicum, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2018, 2012
- President-elect/Secretary/Legal Counsel, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2017-2020
- Co-Chair, Mentoring Committee, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California, 2015-2020
- Member, Mediation Referral Panel, San Mateo County Superior Court, 2012-present
- Chair, Collaborative Practice San Mateo County, 2003
- Chair, San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2002
- Co-chair, San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2001
SPEAKING CREDITS
- Presenter, “Co-Mediation with a Neutral Financial,” San Mateo County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2022
- Presenter, “Child Custody Evaluation Legal Update,” Santa Clara Psychological Association, Custody Evaluator and Domestic Violence Training, 2019
- Moderator, “Tips for Mediators and Consulting Attorneys,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Northern California Symposium, 2018
- Presenter, “Spousal Support Update,” Collaborative Practice California, 11th Annual Statewide Conference, 2016
- Presenter, “Divorce Options,” Collaborative Practice San Mateo County, Periodic
- Presenter, “Second Saturday Divorce Workshops,” Second Saturday, Periodic
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Collaborative Practice San Mateo County
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- International Commission on Couple and Family Relations
- San Francisco County Bar Association
- San Mateo County Bar Association