My Background
I was born and brought up in a town of 5,000 people in central New York State. My Dad was a funeral director, community leader and entrepreneur. My Mom was an executive secretary who worked outside the home until after their second child was born. I am the eldest of three children, the youngest of whom now runs the funeral home business in that small community.
My parents purchased a 350 acre farm as a way for Dad to diversify his business interests. They raised beef cattle (registered Polled Herefords) for ten years, providing lots of opportunities for 4-H as well as professional showmanship. We kids sold Christmas Trees in the winter, and sweet corn in the summer, instilling a strong sense of entrepreneurship in all of us.
I have a long history of involvement with community and family issues. My Baptist Church provided a strong community of faith. Growing up, holiday dinners with the family included forty people who all were from the same small town. My Dad ran the Blood Drive for the Red Cross, provided a collection site for victims of flood or fires, and operated a 24-hour ambulance service for many years. The concepts of “interrelatedness” and “service” were mingled with strong commitment to family. That created a deep commitment to making a difference in the world and supporting people in transition.
I ran track and played field hockey in addition to carrying my share of farm chores. College took me first to Kansas State University, then back to New York to complete a B.S. and a Masters at Cornell University.
As a way to help pay college bills, and secure housing, I became part of the University’s housing staff, running two dormitories, with a staff of Resident Assistants for several years.
As a university staff member, I was trained to listen to problems, find workable solutions, facilitate group discussions, and identify helping resources for people. That provided the basis for later community work with the Fair Housing Contact Service and non-profit civil rights groups, like the Human Rights Campaign (“HRC”) and Soulforce. I worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), the Economic Development Department of the State of Ohio, the City of Baltimore, and several non-profit groups like the YWCA, the battered women’s shelter, and the Methodist church.
Along the way, I attended Al-Anon and ACOA meetings, learned yoga, mediation techniques, and collaborative law.
I moved from Akron to Columbus Ohio work for HUD. I completed law school in 1986 and practiced law on a part time basis for a number of years. My other focus areas were training and information technology, working either as a consultant, or as an employee, for large corporations.
What I’ve evolved into as an attorney is a very strong practitioner with a passion for making a difference in the lives of my clients. I take a holistic approach to all legal issues. I concern myself not only with the forms that need to be filled out, court appearances that must be made, and documents that must be filed, but also with the personal well being of the parties involved. I take unconventional approaches, where appropriate encourage personal growth and development, which seems to work very well.
I am personable. I communicate well by eMail, phone and in person. I am efficient and economical with my time (and thus your money). I am focused and organized.
Family Law
I believe that it’s possible for most clients to separate their households, and their household belongings, and still walk away with a solid basis for a positive future.
For some couples, that simply means dividing things up and never seeing one another again, but doing so without great remorse or debilitating regret. That allows for future possibilities with other people.
For other couples, that means ending the marital relationship, yet creating a foundation for being great, cooperative, supportive parents for their children, or care providers for elderly relatives who rely on them. It’s a change of focus and commitment.
Each family and household situation is different and unique. My commitment is to create individualized strategies that allow my clients to achieve (some call it “win”) what they need to, without giving up their dignity, or ending the matter with a bitterness that will tarnish their future. I can help people get to the other side of what they’re going through with compassion as well as legal expertise.
My goal is to help the couple find peace at the end of the separation process so they can move on successfully. I introduce clients to tools that help them “survive” the process of separating their households and rebuilding their lives. I have a strong ability to help clients diffuse their anger and turn that energy to more constructive healing solutions – without compromising their personal goals. I believe that building people up, rather than tearing them down, can have long-term, lasting, positive impacts – especially where the situation involves children!
Small Business
I have helped small businesses with start-up challenges, including planning, organizing, financing, negotiating, staffing and management for more than 25 years. I’ve handled ongoing issue resolution, commercial lease negotiations, product development, and real estate purchases. I’ve mediated situations between owners, helped with strategic planning, completed process improvements, training, etc. Some of that has required legal credentials and much of it requires the experience and common sense I have achieved as a business owner and/or consultant over the years.
I bring to each engagement a commitment to fairness, an eye toward development of the business opportunities available for each client, and a clear understanding for business to make profit in order to survive.
End-of-Life
End-of-life issues are often ignored, or feared. I have extensive exposure to the challenges people face as loved ones are dying, and the concerns they confront when planning for the end of their own lives. I take a holistic approach, believing that if emotional issues are ignored, or family realities overlooked, it can inhibit solid legal decisions.
I will complete wills and/or trusts for individuals. I will also handle probate issues once a person is deceased.
For families who are out of town, my services will often include disposition of the deceased’s property, cleaning out the home, and distribution of assets as appropriate.
Landlord / Tenant
I have managed apartments and owned property for many years. I understand the challenges that Landlords face, but also have empathy for tenants. I am able to help the parties understand their own rights and responsibilities, as well as assist with mediation and problem solving.
