I was one of the co-founders of the collaborative law practice group in central Ohio in the late 1990s because I believe in its core tenets. It is important for people who are going through the dissolution of their marriage to do so as respectfully, honestly and cost-effectively as possible, while still maintaining control over the final decisions that affect their and their children’s lives.
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Dissolution of marriage
Divorce
Custody
Child support
Estate planning
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:
Admission to the Bar, State of Ohio, Nov. 2, 1979
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Jan. 10, 1980
United States Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, June 1, 1981
United States Supreme Court, June 1, 1987
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:
Capital University Law School, Columbus, Ohio, Juris Doctor, 1979
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, B.A. in history (1976)
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE GROUP MEMBERSHIP:
Since 1997. Co-founder and board president 1997-1998
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/ACTIVITIES:
Ohio State Bar Association:
- President (2004-2005)
- Board of Governors (2001-2006)
- Council of Delegates (1996-present)
- Commission on Judicial Candidates of the Ohio Supreme Court — Chair (2008)
- Family Law Committee (1986-present)
- Task Force on Legal Education Reform — Chair (2008-2009)
The Supreme Court of Ohio:
- Task Force on Rules of Professional Conduct (2003-2006)
The Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Children, Families and the Courts (2007-2010)
The Supreme Court of Ohio Committee on Uniform Domestic Relations Forms — Co-Chair (2009-2010)
Ohio Judicial Conference, Family Law & Procedure Committee (member, 1999-2001)
Columbus Bar Association:
- President, 1998-1999
- Board of Governors (1992-2000)
- Franklin County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Study Task Force — Chair (1994-1995)
- Franklin County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Court Study Task Force — Chair (2008-2009)
- Family Law Committee — Chair (1986-1988)
- Juvenile Law Committee — Chair (1982-1984)
- Ethics Committee (1988‑1992, 1999- 2011) — Chair (2009-2011)
- Admissions and Interview Committee — Chair (1984 to 1986; 2005-2007)
- Publications Committee — Chair (1987-1988)
- Association Relations Committee — Chair (2000)
Ohio State Bar Foundation:
- President (2012)
- Board Trustee (2003-current)
Columbus Bar Foundation:
- President (2011-2012)
- Board member (2000-2013)
Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association (member, 1982‑present)
Women Lawyers of Franklin County (member, 1980‑present)
PERSONAL INTERESTS/ACTIVITIES:
Family: Married since 1977; two adult married children and six grandchildren
Hobbies: Reading and golfing
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE AND RELATED SKILLS TRAINING
Attendance at seminars and meetings since 1998
