Family Law Attorney
Accredited Collaborative Professional
Family Law Mediator

At the very beginning of my legal career, more than two decades ago, I chose to do Guardian ad Litem work to serve the community. The opportunity to have a positive impact on children and families going through divorce led me to focus my practice on family law. As my practice has grown, managing cases that involve domestic abuse, mental health issues or substance abuse has become a special interest and expertise for me.

Facing divorce and other family law issues can be one of the most overwhelming experiences in a person’s life. I’m patient and calm—even in the midst of chaos—and strive to make clients feel comfortable and safe. I listen with curiosity to learn what makes each client’s situation unique so that I can be creative and strategic in helping them shape new futures.

My years of experience in working with children and families have given me valuable perspective and knowledge that I am able to utilize to benefit my clients. A non-adversarial approach accomplishes more in less time for clients to achieve their goals than perpetuating the destruction of divorce through traditional methods. To that end, I guide clients in choosing the process—whether Collaborative Law, lawyer mediation, pro se mediation, litigation—that will lead to the most positive outcomes. Helping clients see possibilities for themselves and their families they never imagined after divorce is truly a privilege for me.

Born and raised in Connecticut, I am a “double Gator,” having received both my undergraduate and my law degree from the University of Florida. In my practice, I have worked as a Guardian ad Litem with hundreds of children in both dependency and custody cases, frequently appointed by judges. I have been honored to receive many awards and recognitions for my work as a children’s advocate. I received the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for 2017 for my Guardian ad Litem work, and also received the highest award given for Guardian ad Litem representation, the 2016 Judge J.C. “Jake” Stone Distinguished Service Award.

In August 2020, I was one of the first collaborative lawyers to receive accreditation by the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals (FACP), a designation I continue to hold today. I teach Collaborative Law as an Adjunct Law Professor at the Barry University School of Law, and serve as the Director of The Barry Collaborative Family Law Clinic. The Clinic represents modest income families with divorce and paternity through the Collaborative Process. I am a Collaborative Law trainer and speaker, and served as the Administrator and board member of The Collaborative Family Law Group of Florida from 2008-2018.

Whether working with clients in the conference room, by zoom, or in the court room, I am committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve healthier and more positive futures.