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?
I have extensive experience in the representation of adoptive parents as well as birth parents. I have also served as a court appointed guardian in juvenile matters. My adoption practice is my passion, and I love putting families together. I know the many joys of parenthood, while also facing the challenges of parenthood. I hope my work as an adoption practitioner, will enhance my clients' 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, for my adoptive families, I know I am helping clients plan for the future, with the proper estate planning documents.
I am also starting to develop a surrogacy practice to help prospective clients form their families through the gestational surrogacy process.
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 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 (21) and Michael (18), 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. My son Michael is a freshman at the Ohio State University 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 celebrate YoYo Ma's birthday on October 7th and Stevie Wonder's birthday on May 13 every year!!. 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 am a member of St. Peter's Parish in Columbus, Ohio where I am a member of their contemporary choir. I am a student mentor at my alma mater Michigan State University Law School formerly Detroit College of Law. I also try to take OSU and Capital Law School students to adoption hearings with me when ever I can.
