As a Collaborative Divorce lawyer and Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, I know that family law issues are not simply legal problems to solve. It takes experience, compassion and a high level of skill to peacefully and constructively manage the legal, emotional and financial considerations and consequences of divorce. In 2015, after litigating high conflict cases for over a decade and experiencing the devastating aftermath the adversarial approach imposes on families, I closed the doors on courtroom practice. I navigate divorce differently and take a supportive approach to ensuring your priorities and your children's sensibilities are at the forefront of my mind. Whether your divorce is amicable, or weighs heavily with uncertainty and complexity, I bring a creative, individualized approach to carefully guide you through this monumental life transition.
In my role as a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Family Financial Mediator, I empower people to solve their problems and stay out of court battles. I am an empathic and skillful mediator with a proven record of settling cases.
I also have a deep understanding and high level of expertise in negotiating and preparing Prenuptial, Postnuptial, Separation and Cohabitation agreements, and do not take a cookie cutter approach to formalizing agreements that are best for you at every stage of your relationship.
On the personal side, I am originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana. I graduated summa cum laude from Miami University of Ohio in 2000 with a BA in political science and a minor in vocal music performance. I earned my JD from UNC School of Law in Chapel Hill, NC in 2004 and began practicing family law in Charlotte the same year. I love to sing classical and all types of music, have sung the National Anthem at Charlotte sporting events and at Naturalization ceremonies for the Western District of NC.
Charlotte Collaborative Divorce Professionals, President, 2013-2016, Executive Committee, 2012- 2017, 2022- present
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Member, Access to Collaboration Task Force, 2016, Hague Convention Task Force, 2022-present
My Collaborative Team
North Carolina Collaborative Attorney Network
NC Civil Collaborative Law Association
Association of Family Conciliation Courts
Global Collaborative Law Council
North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys
Mecklenburg County Bar Dispute Resolution Section, Vice-Chair, 2022-present
Mecklenburg County Bar, Family Law Section, Pro Bono Task Force, 2015
North Carolina Bar Association, Family Law and Dispute Resolution Sections
200 hr. certified yoga and Budokon yoga instructor
Collaboratively trained since 2009
Board Certified Specialist in Family Law, 2012
NC Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Family Financial Mediator, 2014
Business North Carolina, Legal Elite, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
North Carolina Super Lawyer in Family Law, 2021, 2022, 202
North Carolina Super Lawyer "Rising Star" in Family Law, 2011, 2012, 2013
Queen City Nerve Best in The Nest "Best Attorney" 2019
Certificate of Appreciation, US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Children’s Issues, Central Authority for the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 2011 and 2014