I started in criminal law. I was a prosecutor, then, and this might be somewhat cliche-ish, I went out on my own and became a defense attorney. I enjoyed it, still accept a few cases, but something was missing.

I realized what that was when my husband and I adopted two children. Adoption law was intricate, fascinating, and client intensive - in a consultative way I had not experienced in my career to date.  

I work with people and families to do what's best for my clients, especially the children. I try to work things out through mediation. On the few occasions that doesn't work out, well, the skills I earned during my years in the criminal courts are invaluable.

Since I started on this path, by the way, we adopted four more children.