My practice is devoted exclusively to consensual dispute resolution. I do not litigate cases.

Courts are, and always will be, a vital part of the family justice system, and in some cases, going to court is a necessary and appropriate method of handling a family dispute. However, with appropriate professional support, most individuals experiencing a family conflict or transition can successfully negotiate workable solutions without judicial intervention.

I embrace a participatory model of family law, and take pride in the fact that I help clients maintain control over their own lives by crafting settlements that meet their unique needs. I work hard to help my clients minimize inter-personal conflict, which can help to achieve cost-effective outcomes.

I have made the choice to restrict my practice to consensual dispute resolution because I recognize that the skill set required to achieve negotiated resolutions is different in many ways from the skill set required to be an effective litigation strategist and trial advocate. Because I do not take on cases that involve court proceedings, I am better able to use my time and energy to respond promptly to client needs, guiding them toward lasting agreements. I am also proud to include family formation work as part of my practice.

“The time has clearly come for lawyers to begin to emphasize their role as mediators, conciliators, and peacemakers—as counselors for what is right, not merely advocates for what is legally possible… Lawyers need to remind themselves that the courtroom is often not a place conducive to peacemaking or conflict healing, yet peacemaking and conflict healing are first obligations of our profession.”

– North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice James G. Exum, Jr., “The Lawyer as Peacemaker,” 34 Bar Notes 8, 9 (1983).