West Coast Family Mediation Center

Growing up, my mom was a therapist, and I learned early on how important our feelings can be in our relationships, and that we need to tell other people how we feel or they won’t know what needs to be changed. I had initially thought about following in my mom’s footsteps and becoming a therapist, but I was also really interested in the law and problem-solving. I had also always done a lot of work with kids and families, from babysitting when I was young, to working as a camp counselor to teaching religious school and youth group programs between college and law school.

While I was in law school at Chapman University, I completed my basic and advanced mediation training and began mediating civil cases in the Riverside Superior Court. Additionally, I assisted the Riverside Courts Alternative Dispute Resolution Office in implementing a Juvenile Mediation program at Juvenile Hall for the residents. Working with these children and teenagers to teach them effective methods of problem-solving and dispute resolution that wouldn’t land them back in jail made me realize how important a tool conflict resolution is and I knew that I wanted to make mediation my career. I first met Jennifer when I interned for her in law school and after working together for a few years we knew the time was right to venture out on our own in 2015. In 2021 we co-founded West Coast Family Mediation Center to continue growing and working with families all throughout California to resolve, rebuild, and renew their lives.

When I’m not working I am super active, whether that means going for a run, doing yoga, or a spin class on the Peloton. On the weekends my husband Mike and I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking or taking our dog Toby to run around at dog beach. We also enjoy traveling to new places (our last big trip was Thailand and Singapore) to take photographs and try new foods. When we’re home we love to cook new dishes or recreate dishes we’ve had while traveling or eating out. I also love spending time with my 6-year-old niece, friends, and family.