I love my work. I love bringing collaborative solutions and opportunities to the conversation. Knowledge is power, and providing my clients the understanding needed to make informed decisions, and to implement those decisions, brings great satisfaction.

Family. My family and the faith we share is the energy behind my professional life. My husband J. and I are the proud parents of two teenagers, Atticus and Becket. We enjoy an active lifestyle, skiing in the winter, backpacking in the summer, and travelling whenever we can.

Oregon. I moved to Oregon in 1999 for three years of law school. A quarter of a century later, Oregon remains my happy home.

Runner. Running is my secret recipe to success. Running, and exercise in general, set my equilibrium each day. Decades ago a year wasn’t complete without a marathon (or two or four). Now all I need is a weekly run (or two or four) with my friends or my dogs, plus a team relay now and then.

I specialize in designing retirement plan solutions for businesses to leverage tax savings while minimizing cost and complication. My advice also includes retirement plan compliance matters including correction of the inevitable mistakes that occur while maintaining a retirement plan.

I routinely draft and qualify QDROs (qualified domestic relations orders), which are specialized orders that divide retirement plans upon divorce. My in-depth knowledge of pension plans and other retirement plans helps me effectively and efficiently assist divorce attorneys, their clients, and individuals in family law matters to address the unique implications presented by the retirement plan assets I enjoy strategizing the best result for my client. My strategy and analysis work frequently includes mediation support and trial testimony.

Consistent with Willamette University’s motto, per Cicero: “Not unto ourselves alone are we born,” my community and professional support endeavors have included:

• Salem Foundation, Distribution Committee Chair, Present
• Member, American Society of Pension Professions and Actuaries, Present
• President, Marion County Bar Association, 2015
• Salem Leadership Foundation – Bridge Builder’s Council co-founder, former board member, VP and Secretary salemlf.org
• Family Building Blocks – Donors/Dream Builders familybuildingblocks.org
• Salem Chamber Leadership Salem – Class of ’05 .salemchamber.org
• Willamette Humane Society – former board member whs4pets.org

Willamette University College of Law – 1999-2002, cum laude, seventh in class

• Willamette Law Review, Associate Editor
• Moot court board – First place, First year appellate competition
• Tutored first year law students in legal research and writing
• Worked for Heltzel Williams as law clerk

Point Loma Nazarene College – 1994-1998, magna cum laude

• Major: history, with an emphasis in philosophy and literature
• Graduated “with distinction” after 100+ page paper cleared three-professor review panel
• Summer term: Keble College, Oxford University
• Sole student selected on college board committee to change school name
• Finance Director, ASB Student Body; Resident Director; other student government positions

Professional Presentations:

• “PERS and Military Divisions,” AAML Oregon Chapter, 2022
• “PERS EPSA and Military Divisions,” Oregon Family Law conference, 2021
• “Estate Planning with Retirement Benefits,” Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council, 2020
• “Employee Benefits – More than Just QDROs,” Oregon Family Law Conference, 2016
• “Understanding PERS Benefits and the Strategies for Dividing Them,” various
• “QDRO Tips and Traps,” various
• “Refining the Powell Rule: Future vs. Past Performance and the Division of Unvested Stock Options and RSUs,” OSB Family Law Newsletter, August 2016
• Legislative testimony re PERS legislation, Oregon Senate Bill 370, 2015
• “Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts Willamette Valley Estate Planning Council, 2011
• “From JTWROS to GRATS: Estate Planning Basics,” Mid-Willamette Valley Tax Forum, 2011
• “IRS and DOL Compliance Resolution Program, Alphabet Soup Anyone? Mid-Willamette Valley Tax Forum, 2005