a little bit about me

I am the product of divorce at an early age. I had a difficult childhood that eventually led to my Mom getting full custody of me and my little sister.  She struggled to make ends meet, at times eating cereal so we could have the “healthy” meals.

As I have worked in the family law field for over 18 years and hear the stories of other parents, I often think of my own Mom and the sacrifices she made to end a bad marriage to give her daughters a better life. Fortunately, my mom eventually found the “right” man who is and will always be my “Dad.” Together, they taught me the value of standing up for myself and instilled in me a love for helping people by modeling how to treat others.

I also experienced my own divorce, raised two daughters, and navigated the sometimes rocky waters of being a single parent. There have been times when I worked two jobs, sneaking in sleep so I could do all the things: assisting with homework, grocery shopping, cooking.  It was tough, and there were times when I wondered if I could make it on my own.

As fate would have it, during this time, I started my legal career by working as a clerk typist for a law publishing company. Eventually, I began doing legal secretarial work, leading me to become a paralegal. I’ve been in the legal field for over 28 years now on the “back end,” which has given me first-hand experience of managing family law cases from start to finish. My superpowers are organizing and tracking discovery and disclosure documents, writing (countless pleadings and pieces of correspondence), preparing clients and witnesses for court appearances, and attending hearings, settlement conferences, and trials (with my managing attorneys).

As I sit here today, I have a BS degree in Justice Studies and now, a law degree, both of which I obtained while working full-time. Meanwhile, in November 2021, the Arizona Supreme Court began approving a new category of legal practitioners, known as “legal paraprofessionals” (LPs). LPs fill a similar role to that of a nurse practitioner in a doctor’s office; an LP is allowed to practice a specific area of law to provide legal services to clients so those clients can access the courts to address their legal issues.

I am the 34^th person to be approved and licensed to practice as an Arizona LP. (There are currently less than fifty LPs practicing law in Arizona.) I am permitted to represent clients in court, provide specific legal advice and opinion, and negotiate legal rights pursuant to the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration, §7-210.

I have always focused on understanding the difficult times that clients face. I know family law legal issues can be overwhelming due to complex legal jargon and confusing procedures. I take the time to listen and understand my clients’ concerns and goals while providing the highest care in giving straightforward guidance and a clear understanding of all their options.

You can trust me to be on your side, to provide objective advice, and to work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome. While I cannot guarantee the final results in a case, I promise to do my best to provide an honest opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of your case so you can make informed decisions. Ultimately, what sets me apart as an LP is my unwavering commitment to helping others. I am dedicated to using my skills and expertise to make a positive difference in your family’s life.

I am on standby, ready to help you. When you are ready to take a courageous step and call a family lawyer’s office, you can call on me.

a little bit about me

I am the product of divorce at an early age. I had a difficult childhood that eventually led to my Mom getting full custody of me and my little sister.  She struggled to make ends meet, at times eating cereal so we could have the “healthy” meals.

As I have worked in the family law field for over 18 years and hear the stories of other parents, I often think of my own Mom and the sacrifices she made to end a bad marriage to give her daughters a better life. Fortunately, my mom eventually found the “right” man who is and will always be my “Dad.” Together, they taught me the value of standing up for myself and instilled in me a love for helping people by modeling how to treat others.

I also experienced my own divorce, raised two daughters, and navigated the sometimes rocky waters of being a single parent. There have been times when I worked two jobs, sneaking in sleep so I could do all the things: assisting with homework, grocery shopping, cooking.  It was tough, and there were times when I wondered if I could make it on my own.

As fate would have it, during this time, I started my legal career by working as a clerk typist for a law publishing company. Eventually, I began doing legal secretarial work, leading me to become a paralegal. I’ve been in the legal field for over 28 years now on the “back end,” which has given me first-hand experience of managing family law cases from start to finish. My superpowers are organizing and tracking discovery and disclosure documents, writing (countless pleadings and pieces of correspondence), preparing clients and witnesses for court appearances, and attending hearings, settlement conferences, and trials (with my managing attorneys).

As I sit here today, I have a BS degree in Justice Studies and now, a law degree, both of which I obtained while working full-time. Meanwhile, in November 2021, the Arizona Supreme Court began approving a new category of legal practitioners, known as “legal paraprofessionals” (LPs). LPs fill a similar role to that of a nurse practitioner in a doctor’s office; an LP is allowed to practice a specific area of law to provide legal services to clients so those clients can access the courts to address their legal issues.

I am the 34^th person to be approved and licensed to practice as an Arizona LP. (There are currently less than fifty LPs practicing law in Arizona.) I am permitted to represent clients in court, provide specific legal advice and opinion, and negotiate legal rights pursuant to the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration, §7-210.

I have always focused on understanding the difficult times that clients face. I know family law legal issues can be overwhelming due to complex legal jargon and confusing procedures. I take the time to listen and understand my clients’ concerns and goals while providing the highest care in giving straightforward guidance and a clear understanding of all their options.

You can trust me to be on your side, to provide objective advice, and to work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome. While I cannot guarantee the final results in a case, I promise to do my best to provide an honest opinion about the strengths and weaknesses of your case so you can make informed decisions. Ultimately, what sets me apart as an LP is my unwavering commitment to helping others. I am dedicated to using my skills and expertise to make a positive difference in your family’s life.

I am on standby, ready to help you. When you are ready to take a courageous step and call a family lawyer’s office, you can call on me.