About Me

My Story

While attending college I realized that becoming an attorney would provide me with a distinct set of tools that would enable me to help people navigate challenging and complex issues that could face them in life. A lover of nature, I obtained a bachelor of science in Environmental Science and went on to graduate from law school with honors and receiving certificates of specialization in public interest and environmental law. I began my legal career practicing environmental law, advocating for clean water, the clean-up of contaminated properties, and for the future of our world: using my skills to help protect those without a voice – the unborn, nature, and the future.

Fast forward a few years and I was enjoying working as staff attorney for a non-profit organization that focuses on protection and restoration of water quality. While I was pregnant with my first child, my family received a sudden diagnosis – my father learned that he had advanced esophageal cancer. Barely a month passed from the diagnosis and he was released from the pain of an aggressive cancer, and my sister and I were left picking up the pieces. As devastating as the circumstances surrounding his passing were, my father was fortunate to have a small window to bring in an experienced estate planning attorney to help him put his affairs in order.

Even with the attorney’s help, the lack of foresight was devastating. Seeing my father struggle through his pain to ensure that his wishes were carried out was humbling. Having to spend our last few days together hearing his fear that his decisions would not be recorded and carried out took something more from us, and took something more from him. That time could have been spent reminiscing about our lives together, sharing his knowledge and our love, and would have been much more comforting, and much more fitting, for the last hours we had.

Enter my first son and planning took on a whole new layer. Now my concerns had a new meaning. If something happened to me and my partner, what would happen to our son? Not living close to family, where would he go while family was found and while they handled having guardianship established? What would happen to our home? Who would help? How would they know what needed to be done and who was supposed to take care of these decisions?

This experience opened my eyes to the need for early planning in making decisions and having them properly recorded. After having the experience of rushed planning, and having a family of my own, I realized that my gifts could help others not have to experience what my family had experienced by putting in place available estate planning protections.

I am excited to help you on your journey by providing you with the right services for your individual situation. Options include nominations of guardians, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advanced health care directives, and a combination as appropriate to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

• Member California State Bar Association