Why did you decide to become an attorney?
I like helping people navigate through the legal system. I like to help clients in the problem solving process. My Dad was a real estate attorney and I was always proud of him and the way he helped his clients, and I wanted to be just like him. I also thought that the lawyers I had met and worked with were generally happy and committed to their profession.
What experiences (work and personal) help you to be a better attorney?
My experiences as a daughter and a parent lend much to both my work in adoption as well as estate planning and probate law. During the time I assisted my mother with her care of my father while he had Alzheimer's disease, I was able to help her work through legal and financial matters that were important to my father's care. As a parent, I know the many joys of parenthood, while also facing the challenges of parenthood. I hope my work as an adoption practitioner, will enhance their family relationships, and provide the foundation for a great future together!
What made you choose your primary area of law?
I love helping families. As an attorney who works exclusively in the probate and juvenile courts, I know I am truly helping people. As an adoption attorney I like to think I am participating in the creation of a new family unit. As a probate and estate planning attorney, I know I am helping clients plan for the future, with the proper estate planning documents. I also know that through the probate process I am helping clients in grieving the loss of a loved one, while still helping them with the financial and legal issues they face from that devastating loss.
What makes your law firm unique?
I am a sole practitioner, who likes to give quality legal services in a personal manner. Often, I answer my own telephone, and try to return most telephone calls within a 24 hour period. I do have a part-time assistant who keeps me on top of my client work load, with incredible efficiency. I like to get to know my clients and their families, not only so I can serve their legal needs, but because I truly care about them as individuals. I want clients to like their lawyer, and to come to me for advice both on a professional and sometimes personal nature. I love the trouble- shooting aspect of my job as a lawyer, and hope I make a difference for my clients every day in some concrete way.
Describe your ideal client.
The ideal client to me is someone, who is a good listener, will provide me with the information I need to properly represent them, will pay my bill, or contact me if my bill seems unfair or too high, and is someone who will work with me to accomplish their legal goals.
Describe your personal interests and hobbies.
First and foremost, I like to spend time with my husband Mark who is a technology attorney at JP Morgan Chase, my children Sarah (19) and Michael (16), and my beautiful Golden Retriever, Magic the Dog. My daughter Sarah is at Michigan State University, so I also spend some time going to the land of the Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan. If I have any free time after the busy-ness of my family, I like to play the piano, work out, cook, bake and needlepoint. I also plan to do a little more vacationing once my children are out of high school and college, with the hopes of getting to Ireland, England, Italy and maybe even Australia. My long-term plans when I have more free time would be to play piano chamber music with other musicians.
Describe your charitable activities.
I have done some fund-raising for the Worthington Arts Council. I am also an active member of my church, St. Michael's in Worthington. I also assist my son with his activities at Bishop Watterson High School where I am a member of the Mother's Club.
