Since 2003, I have focused my practice exclusively on family law in Atlanta, including Dekalb, Cobb and Fulton County divorces, custody litigation, child support litigation, modification of child support, and metro Atlanta uncontested divorces. Prior to my work in family law, I practiced tax law at Alston & Bird, one of Atlanta’s top firms, where I represented corporations and individuals in tax matters. I find this tax and business background helpful in representing our clients. For 2009 and 2011, I was thrilled when Super Lawyers designated me as a Rising Star among divorce and family law attorneys in Georgia.

I enjoy the practice of family law. I am happiest when I can find a creative solution for settlement that satisfies the needs and concerns of two opposing parties. I also enjoy writing briefs, memos, and some of our more substantive letters.

I prefer to divide my time between the opposite ends of the spectrum, with most of my clients going through an uncontested divorce, settlement negotiations, and collaborative practice, and the rest of my cases in litigation.

I always have a select group of of contested cases, both because I enjoy litigation and because I feel it is crucial to drafting the best settlement agreements. The small number of cases in litigation mean a comparatively higher level of attention. My cases in litigation have focused on custody and parenting time, particularly those involving mental health and substance abuse allegations. I have also litigated child support and parenting time deviations and for divorce litigation cases, I have litigated the division of marital estates and the distinction between marital and nonmarital property.

My experience litigating divorce, custody, and child support informs the terms of these settlement agreements. I am a fast drafter, and often draft agreements while I am meeting with clients. I am an advocate of the use of plain English in settlement agreements, and abhor legalese. When your case concludes, you and your former spouse will be left with the daily task of living by the agreement. Most often, neither of you will have an attorney at your kitchen table to help you sort through an agreement full of “heretofores”, “wherebys”, and compound modifiers.

I received my law degree from the University of Texas School of Law (J.D. 2001, with honors), and my undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech (B.S. 1997, with honors) (admitted to Georgia bar in 2001). I am a member of the Charles Longstreet Weltner Family Law American Inn of Court, the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia and the Atlanta Family Law section.

I reside in intown Atlanta with my husband and our two children, where I serve as troop leader for my child’s scouting troop.