Lawyers

I assist clients to resolve their family law issues outside of court through Collaborative Family Law, mediation and out of court negotiation.  This includes assisting people with issues arising from separation or divorce, such as determining property and debt division; parenting arrangements (guardianship, parenting time, parenting responsibilities); determining entitlement and amounts of child support and spousal support; and drafting separation agreements, cohabitation and marriage agreements. 

I believe that for most families, the legal issues between separating couples are best dealt with out of court. My experience in court has taught me that giving up control over the outcome to a judge rarely leaves people satisfied. While there are sometimes compromises in a collaborative process, people are usually happier with the outcomes, and relationships can be preserved.

I began my career working in corporate and technology law, but quickly sought more of a human connection to the work I did. I trained in collaborative law and mediation in 2002 and 2003. I then worked in the areas of family law, parent/teen mediation, and eventually child protection law as counsel for the Director of Child, Family and Community Service beginning in 2003. I left the full-time practice of child protection law, but wishing to keep my focus on helping people and children, refocused my practice on Collaborative Family Law and mediation.

I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree (English major) from the University of Calgary in 1996 and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Alberta in 1999. I reside in Vancouver with my husband and two children and enjoy cycling, walks with friends and family, singing and teaching yoga.