Experience

Summary of Qualifications

Elected as Judge in Pierce County Superior Court Department 7 in 2020 to present, presiding over civil and criminal litigation

2009 to 2019 Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner appointed by Superior Court Judges

Two decades of private practice focusing on high conflict Family Law, Domestic Violence litigation, and Elder Law litigation. Extensive experience protecting the rights of children, victims of domestic violence, active duty military members, veterans, and vulnerable adults, including persons with diagnoses of mental illness or addictions.

During Her Private Practice Years She Served as a Part Time:

  • Pro Tem Superior Court Commissioner for over a decade prior to appointment as full-time Commissioner
  • Guardian ad litem/parenting investigator in Family Law and Probate and Guardianship litigation for over ten years
  • Arbitrator beginning 1990 until appointed as Superior Court Commissioner
  • Mediator beginning 1991 until appointed as Superior Court Commissioner
  • Special Master appointments by Pierce County Superior Court regarding complex litigation for approximately 15 years.
  • Adjunct Disciplinary Counsel for Washington State Bar Association.

Education                                                            

  • 1984, University of Puget Sound School of Law, Tacoma, Washington;
  • 1981, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington;
  • Pacific Family Mediation Institute, Inc., mediation training, February 1991 Seattle,Washington
  • Pierce College, paralegal training and Associate Degree, 1976-1979, Fort Steilacoom, Washington (now Pierce College)

Courts Admitted to Practice                                                                  

  • Supreme Court of the United States of America, August 6, 1990;
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit May 22, 1990;
  • United States of America, Western District of Washington, May 22, 1985;
  • Supreme Court of the State of Washington, November 6, 1984.

Professional Recognition

  • Recognized by Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven C. González in 2023 for service to the Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board for nine years
  • Twice recognized by the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (I CORPS) for improving the collaboration between JBLM and the Pierce County Superior Courts.
  • 2017 Service to the Legal Profession Community Service Award, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.
  • 2016 Jurist of the Year Award, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.
  • 2015 Jurist of the Year Award, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association.
  • 2013 Marilyn Holzman Award, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
  • For devotion to the welfare of human beings striving to alleviate pain and suffering and for other philanthropic endeavors
  • 2008 Outstanding Service Award, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
  • 2006 Outstanding Service Award, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
  • 2005 Family Law Attorney of the Year, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association

Professional Activities since elected to the Pierce County Superior Court Department 7

  • 2020 to present, Superior Court Judges’ Association (SCJA): Chairperson of the SCJA Guardianship and Probate Committee; Chairperson of the SCJA Technology Committee; member of the SCJA Legislative Committee and member of the SCJA Juvenile and Family Law Committee
  • Pierce County Superior Court Presiding Family Court Judge 2023
  • Chairperson of Outreach Committee for Washington Supreme Court Disability Justice Task Force Committee, 2023 to present
  • Co-chair of Pierce County Superior Court Joint Base Lewis McChord Liaison Committee 2020 to present
  • Member Pierce County Superior Court Civil Protection Order Committee, 2022 to present
  • Member Juvenile Court Executive Committee 2023 to present
  • Member American Bar Association 2020 to present. ABA section memberships: Family Law, Law practice Division, General Practice Division, Technology, Real property, Trust and Estates, and National Conference of State Trial Judges
  • Member Pierce County Washington Women Lawyers 2020 to present
  • Member Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association 1984 to present
  • Member Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2020 to present
  • Supervise Seattle University School of Law student externs

Other Professional Activities

  • Created Family Law continuing education series “Love Stinks” for the last fifteen years, as well as frequent presenter. Currently planning the 2024 “Love Stinks XVI” seminar
  • Faculty member, Judicial College, 2017 to 2019
  • Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board Member, appointed by the State Supreme Court October 2014 to October 2023. Chairperson for the Board in 2023
  • Friends of the Pierce County Law Library, 2018 to present
  • Pierce County Superior Court Guardianship Committee member 2009 to present
  • Superior Court Judges’ Association Family and Juvenile Court Committee 2010 to present.
  • Superior Court Judges’ Association Legislative Committee 2020 to present
  • Superior Court Judges’ Association Guardianship and Probate Committee 2012 to present, current chairperson

Professional Activities prior to appointment to Superior Court in 2009

  • Continuing Legal Education Committee, Chairperson, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, February 2007 through February 2010
  • American Inn of Court, Hon. Robert J. Bryan Chapter, current status Emeritus
  • Settlement Conference Mediator at Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution December 18, 2000 to September 2009
  • Frequent presenter for Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association on Family Law, Animal Law, Technology and Guardianship issues –
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Trustee February 2005 to February 2007
  • Two terms as Adjunct Disciplinary Counsel of the Washington State Bar Association 1997-2002 and 2002-2007
  • Instructor at Tacoma Community College Family Law course, Spring Quarter 2001
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Family Law President 1999 and 2000
  • Editorial Board Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association 2000
  • Public Relations Committee Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association 2000
  • Advisory Board Member, Bates Technical College 1998
  • Fee Arbitration Panel, Washington State Bar Association 1997 to Spring 2009
  • Legislative Committee, Washington State Bar Association 1997
  • Lawyer Assistance program Committee 1997
  • Guardianship Committee, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association 1993-1998, chairperson 1998
  • Chairperson, Mediation Committee, Family Law Section, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association 1994
  • Mandatory Settlement Conference Committee, Family Law Section, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, 1992
  • Chairperson, Expert Committee, Family Law Section, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, 1992
  • Family Law Guardian ad Litem Committee, Chair: Bruce Cohoe, Judge, Retired, 1990
  • Probate/Guardianship guardian ad litem training committee, 1991 and 1994
  • Board of Director member, Comprehensive Mental Health, 1989
  • Board of Director member, Children’s Home Society, 1996 to 1997