I’d have to say that it all started in 1991, the year of my divorce. I had my law practice which at that time was mainly personal injury work. With a young child, my days were about work and my nights were about spending quality time with him, a true joy in my life.  Then one day I was informed that things were going to change, and change they did. No longer was my son at home when I arrived but was twenty miles away and available three days per week. Mediation did not prove fruitful and after months of legal ‘negotiation’, an agreement was worked out prior to trial.  This was a painful time for me, my child and his mother. She and I just did not know any better. 

From this emotionally draining time of expending resources and emotions something did emerge: the understanding that there had to be a better way for couples to handle these situations. In 1996 I attended CDR Associates in Boulder to learn mediation skills. Following this training I volunteered for several years with Community Mediation Service in Boulder. This city-funded service, now called Children Youth and Family services offered a great opportunity to do a lot of mediating while earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. ( Just kidding about the money) The mediation became and continues to be one of the key services offered.

In 2001 a local professional shared that she had attended a fascinating conference in Arizona regarding what was called Collaborative law. In the fall of that year I attended the first Collaborative law training in Colorado and soon thereafter, in association with other professionals I met at that training,  became a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Collaborative Divorce Professionals, a Denver practice group.

With the knowledge  gained through this training and network of professionals I met, I realized that I had truly found the alternative to conventional divorce.  While the knowledge of Collaborative law spreads, I still accept conventional divorce cases.  However, I have found that even these cases go smoother when infused with a cooperative spirit and a desire for a win-win solution for the parties. I now have a workable co-parenting relationship with my son’s mother, a great relationship with my son (now a college sophomore) as well as a growing collaborative practice. These relationships and rewarding work are a great source of personal joy.

Being a good attorney, mediator or being  good at anything for that matter, is a combination of education and experience. Having similar experiences to someone you are trying to help is a tremendous asset to professionals working with divorcing couples. Until you have walked a mile in someone’s moccasins, what does one really know?

As a result of these personal experiences and training I now offer

• Collaborative divorce with the availability of other capable professionals from diverse specialty areas.

• Mediation and co- mediation as a method of working through divorce and post divorce issues.

• Legal representation in traditional divorce cases.

A member of Rocky Mountain Collaborative Divorce Professionals, I, along with other professionals, began the Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Boulder, a group which includes  psychologists, attorneys, financial consultants, child & family experts and other professionals in Boulder County. I am a former member and chairperson of the board of directors of Blue Sky Bridge, a non- profit organization assisting children and families dealing with childhood sexual abuse. I volunteered as a Court appointed special advocate for Voices for Children from 1991-97. 

These experiences can benefit you

My goal is to help  families realign themselves in a sane and thoughtful manner. My life experiences have contributed to my patience and awareness of the issues you are facing in your divorce. I would like to share this knowledge and experience with you and your family. Does this sound like an avenue that  you would like to pursue?  If so, just call or e-mail with any questions you may have or keep reading for more information.

P.S.     Some of my other passions are working on and driving my restored Camaro which I have owned for 22 years, jogging the Mesa trail and working out with my son at the local gym, when he is available.

My son, Kyle	My "daughter", Silver.