I have been a family law lawyer since 2000. Since 2012, I have focused my practice on  out-of-court process options, including mediation, collaborative family law, and cooperative negotiations. My skills and style are best served helping clients reach peaceful, respectful and efficient resolutions. I am genuinely interested in understanding what is most important to my clients, so that the legal aspect of their resolution meets their unique needs and interests.

By helping someone choose the appropriate process option, conflict and costs are managed as much as possible. I am very sensitive to the fact that financial resources are scarce when a family is facing the prospect of affording two separate homes; no one wants to waste their resources making things more complicated than they need to be. That being said, legal information and advice are invaluable when important, long-term decisions are being made. I’m not interested in exploiting a situation.  I want my clients to leave with a value-added experience and a resolution that makes things better.

I strive for client satisfaction, and I’m proud of my ability to clarify the complexities of the law in terms that clients can understand.

This sometimes means that I have to tell clients what they don’t want to hear, but there are often creative options that can be advanced in the context of even the most difficult situations. It’s an honour to be able to offer my experience and expertise to assist a client through the challenging life change of separation.

I am an Accredited Mediator and Past-President of the Ottawa Chapter of the Ontario Association for Family Mediation, and a Panel Member and past Board Member of Collaborative Practice Ottawa.

When I’m not at the office, my focus is on my family. I love to spend time at home with my husband, our two girls, and our rescue dog, Blue. I love my early morning power-walks, and when I get the chance, I love to sneak a moment to myself and curl up with a good book.