Founder/Lead Attorney

Without question, my father. He passed away from pancreatic cancer in September 2018. He was a great man – a kind, hardworking, ethical, and respectful man. He taught me to believe in myself and my ideas. He taught me the power of non-judgment and encouragement.

Losing my father was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life. I slept next to his bed in the hospital, the last four days of his life. I saw the pure love he had for my mom, my sister, and I. I saw his strength, insightfulness, and unrelenting compassion.

Every day I try and honor what my dad taught me about how to treat other people.

When I’m bridge building. Even in the most contentious cases, there are common interests. I excel at finding those interests and facilitating understanding between the parties. An effective custody attorney is first and foremost a diplomat.

My job is to stop the war and bring peace – for the sake of the children. Only 2% of cases go to trial. Why? Because it is so detrimental to the family unit, unnecessary, and avoidable. If you have a personal injury or criminal matter, you need a bulldog or a shark as a lawyer. If you have a custody matter, you need an attorney who is skilled at high-level negotiation. That’s my wheelhouse.

When outside – in nature. I grew up next to a National Seashore in Northern California on a dirt road. I love exploring, hiking, and getting a good workout outdoors.

That 98% of cases settle, and the process is most constructive if each side is willing to compromise. But that doesn’t mean you are compromising from your current position. If you are currently locked-out of meaningful parenting time, a good attorney can resolve that issue and create a new power balance between you and the other parent. Once you hire a lawyer, your leverage and negotiation power will change – often substantially and for the better.

Bachelor of Arts from UC Berkeley Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent graduating in the top 25% of my class 300+ families assisted through domestic relations court I lived in Brazil and learned Portuguese in my early twenties, backpacked in SouthAmerica, lived on a farm in Italy, grew up in a small beach town in Northern California, I have lived in Chicago for 10 years, I’m married and starting a family

Law Clerk (i.e. Law Student) – If all goes according to plan, I’ll be licensed in November of 2019.

I am empathetic, diligent, and patient. Communication is key – I do my best to work around client’s schedules even if it
means coming in on a Sunday to respond to a discovery request or staying late for a telephone conference after a client getsoff work.

I begin by checking my emails and voicemails as soon as I get to the office. I try my best to make sure that I answer
any questions anyone may have regarding a pleading/motion, procedure, or upcoming court date. After that, I begin working on any tasks assigned to me. Tasks can include anything from legal research, drafting pre-trial memorandums, drafting and revising petitions or motions, communicating with clients regarding upcoming court dates, and more.After my work day is done, I pick up my 2nd or 3rd cup of coffee and head to class or hit the books.

When I am learning something new or improving a particular skill. I enjoy reviewing case files and spotting potential issues and important facts and considering how to incorporate those facts into pleadings. I also enjoy communicating with clients. I want to help our clients feel comfortable asking questions and understand what is going on with their cases.

When I am around other people or being active. I love yoga, running, exploring new places, and spending time with my
friends and family.

Everyone has questions. Clients should never be afraid of asking questions. If you have procedural or personal
questions, chances are others have the same questions, too. The more you understand your case, the easier it will be for
those assisting you to do their jobs. Our team focuses on transparency, which helps clients understand exactly what is
being done in connection with their cases.

achelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago, cum laude; J.D. Candidate at Chicago-Kent College of Law where I was philanthropy chair of Chicago-Kent’s Society of Women in Law and a member of the nationally ranked Trial Advocacy Team (ranked #4 nationally) and personally won “Best Opening Statement” at The Hofstra Medical-Legal Competition in New York; I volunteered 480 hours this past summer with the Domestic

Violence Legal Clinic and represented litigants as a 711-licensed attorney in domestic violence matters;
I was a judicial extern for the Honorable Mark J. Lopez, Domestic Relations Division, where I researched and wrote bench memoranda, drafted court orders, interviewed pro se litigants regarding any outstanding issues before they stepped up in court, and observed and assisted with courtroom proceedings and pretrial conferences.