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The entire legal profession—lawyers, judges, law teachers—
has become so mesmerized with the stimulation of the courtroom contest that we tend to forget that we ought to be healers—healers of conflict... Should lawyers not be healers? Healers, not warriers? Healers, not procurers? Healers, not hired guns? ~U. S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger February 12, 1984 |
Nowhere in the legal system does this statement need to be recognized and taken to heart more than in the area of family law. Family law is just different. Disputes in family law that aren't properly resolved are not over and cause emotional and financial pain for years to come. Litigating assets and money and children causes much emotional and financial damage. As a family law attorney, trained in collaborative divorce law, I agree with Chief Justice Burger that we are called to be healers of this conflict, and not to perpetuate the conflict, as is so often the case. If you'd like to learn more, please call me at 434-845-2463.
My mission is to help divorcing families avoid unnecessary pain, expense, and conflict through a collaborative process that acknowledges that it is you, the client, along with the guidance from your team and/or advisors, who are best qualified to determine your future and the future of your children.
I am an experienced Virginia family law practitioner. In the often contentious field of family law, I have adopted a very holistic approach to the process of divorce. Because a family is still a family, even after divorce, I advocate a win-win approach as the best way a family can navigate the process and retain positive relationships.
I have had extensive training in mediation, negotiation, collaborative law and collaborative divorce. I’m a member of the Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section, Lynchburg Bar Association, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, the Virginia Association of Collaborative Professionals, and the Virginia Collaborative Professionals of Lynchburg. I have been instrumental in encouraging the use of the collaborative process in resolving divorce cases. I am also a member of the International Coach Federation and received my coaching certification through Coach Training Alliance.
With a passion for teaching others about effective conflict resolution, I constantly build upon my strengths with additional trainings in collaborative law team effectiveness, mediation skills for collaborative attorneys, and interest-based negotiation. Through clear communication, peaceful resolution, and creative problem solving, I help my clients navigate the legal process with integrity, dignity, and grace.
