I have been a lawyer for over twenty years. From January 2011 to April 2013, I served as a Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner. I presided over family law, probate/estate, guardianship, mental illness, juvenile court, landlord tenant, mortgage foreclosure, and other matters. While on the bench, I saw many family law cases which would have been more effectively and humanly handled with a well-trained collaborative team. I chose to leave the bench and to return to private practice. My practice focuses on family law--primarily divorce, legal separation, and child custody. My prior experience as a social worker and my mediation skills are essential to helping others to handle stress and to focus on long-term goals. Serving on the bench has sharpened my ability to present an objective perspective and to assist a potential client in evaluating alternatives.