Bachelors in Social Work, The University of Montana,1990
J. D., The University of Montana School of Law, 1993

In April 1989, I separated from my husband and became a single mother of my two children, a daughter age 11 and a son age 8. They are grown now and are fantastic people. Their humor helped get us through the dissolution and my six years at The University of Montana.  They were Mother Hens who began assembling our suppers even before they were allowed to turn on the stove. I became their Mother Hen (again) when they enlisted in the military and served overseas.

I practice family law. That broad category includes dissolution of marriage (called divorce in some states), parenting issues, child support, adoptions, and other relationship issues. I also do some "preventive lawyering" by helping couples who intend to live together address and work to avoid the problems that arise as a relationship dissolves.  I act as Guardian ad Litem for children, representing their best interest in dissolutions and other matters. I also act as a mediator outside the courtroom to help parties resolve problems that arise during the relationship, during its dissolution, or after the dissolution.  I occasionally act as substitute judge in the Missoula County Justice Court. My main pro bono commitment used to be representing petitioners at Order of Protection hearings. I took a break for several years and just last week realized how much I missed it, so I added my name to the list again.

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