I grew up near Clinton, Missouri but have spent my adult life in the greater Kansas City area.  I finished my undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri - Kansas City at the top of my class and then started law school at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.  I then went into private practice after law school and have focused my career helping personal injury victims.

I have dedicated my practice to the representation of injured people. My focus is in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) cases.  I was appointed by Governor Jay Nixon to the Missouri Brain Injury Advisory Couuncil and continue to serve the State of Missouri under our current governor. Many of my clients have been injured in car and truck accidents, by drunk drivers, had a motorcycle, ATV or bicycle accident or a trip/slip and fall accident.  I also represent families in wrongful death claims for their loved ones arising from dram shop cases (liquor liability), product liability claims, and premises liability cases. We also took a case to the Supreme Court to change negligent enrrustment laws for gun shops and other entities to protect Missourians.

I am also passionate about halping women who have been injured and helping younger female attorneys succeed in their practices.  I am an active member in the Association of Women Lawyers of Kansas City (AWL-KC) and served on their Board of Directors for many years.  I am on the Board of Governors for the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, where I have chaired their Women's Caucus group in Kansas City. I have also spoken at the UMKC Law School to women law students regarding their job search post graduation and promoting the idea of entrepreneurship as an alternative to traditional employment.  I am a mentor in the AWLF Connections Program which pairs younger/new female attorneys with a mentor to help ensure their success as new attorneys.  

Additionally, I regularly participate in as many worthwhile community projects as possible including Habitat for Humanity, Project ElderCool, Rally for the Cure, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Harvesters, Bishop Sullivan Center, and is active in other bar-related organizations including MATA, MATA Women and the UMKC Inn of Courts. I also served on the board for Hope Haven of Cass County - a domestic violence and sexual abuse shelter for 4 years. 

Outside of the legal profession, I love spending time with my husband, daughter and extended family.   We are active in our church and numerous community and political organizations.  

 Education:

University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, Kansas City, Missouri

Honors: AmJur Award for Advanced Legal Writing (highest grade in the class); Urban Lawyer 2000-2001

University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 1999
B.A.
Honors: Received Honors for Highest GPA in Undergraduate Class
Honors: Outstanding PACE Graduate Award
Honors: ABW Award
Major:  Liberal Arts

Bar Admissions:

                   The United States Supreme Court, 2014

Supreme Court of Missouri, 2001

Supreme Court of Kansas, 2002

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association

Kansas Bar Association

Clay County Bar Association

U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 2001