My grandfather taught me to use an adding machine when I was just three years old.  A few years later, he taught me how to use ledger paper and, despite a few initial misunderstandings on my part regarding the use of debits and credits, my career path was launched!  I returned home to Salem after college and attended Willamette University so that I could obtain my Master of Business Administration (MBA) while working toward my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.  While in the MBA program, I attended a class at Willamette College of Law and was so captivated by the class that I decided to extend my stay at Willamette and become a lawyer.  After graduation, I worked for a public accounting firm before joining Heltzel Williams PC.

When I am not at work, I experience the adventures of everyday life with my husband, Troy, and our two daughters, Madelyn and Sydney.  Troy and I were both born and raised in Salem, and met when we were in high school.  Our daughters joined us through international adoption from China.  The lessons we learned through that process were life-changing.  Both girls exhibited amazing courage and fierce tenacity as they navigated a change of people, language, and country.  Earning their trust and love, as their parents, will always be our proudest accomplishment.  My time with Troy, Madelyn and Sydney is my greatest joy.

My decision to transfer from accounting to the practice of law was a result of my desire to help clients find practical ways to navigate the various laws and regulations applicable to their business. While I still enjoy a good spreadsheet project, I most enjoy helping business owners strategize and find solutions to their legal issues that fit their business needs, values and priorities. Determining a client’s needs often requires consultation with both the client and the client’s other business advisors. Clients need their advisors to work together as a team and my experience as a CPA and MBA helps me, as a lawyer, to work well with the other advisors on my clients’ teams. I focus my legal practice in the following areas:

• Business Law & Litigation
• Employment Law for Employers
• Real Estate Transactions
• Dispute Resolution and Appeals related to Employment Law
• Appeals

• Member of Oregon State Bar Taxation Section Executive Committee
• Coordinator for Mid-Valley Tax Forum
• Board of Directors Member, Isaac’s Room (http://www.isaacsroom.org/)
• Advisory Team Member, Called To Love (http://www.calledtoloveministry.org/)
• Leadership Salem Graduate, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Class of 2009 (http://www.salemchamber.org/)
• Former Board of Trustees Member, Salem Academy Christian Schools

Willamette University College of Law, cum laude (2003)

• Willamette Law Review, Managing Editor/Business
• Winner of First Year Appellate Competition

Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Willamette University, with honors (2003)

• Treasurer of Joint Degree Association
• Research Assistant for Marketing Professor

Northwest Nazarene University (Bachelor of Science in Accounting) (1999)

• 4.00 GPA
• Students In Free Enterprise Member and Business Club Vice President

Articles and Publications

• “Fiduciary and Transferee Liability for a Decedent’s Taxes,” Oregon State Bar, Taxation Section Newsletter, Spring 2012

• “Creditors in Probate” – Mid-Valley Tax Forum, March 2013
• “Creditors in Probate” – Marion County Probate Practice Group, December 2012