I was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois.   I attended the University of Illinois College of Business and upon graduation I headed down to Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale.   During my time in Carbondale I was able to volunteer for two years at the Self Help Legal Center earning recognition both years for the amount of time I provided pro bono services.   I also volunteered my time with the Immigration Detention Project at the Tri County Detention Center in Ullin, Illinois. In my third year of law school I was asked to run the Self Help Legal Center, which I gladly did.  

During the summer after my first year of law school I studied abroad in Ireland (Dingle, Galway, & Dublin) and in Wales. Classes ranged from International Criminal Law to International Intellectual Property.  This five week program was one of the deciding factors in choosing which law school to attend.  

During the summer after my second year of law school I obtained a license to practice law under the supervision of the Peoria County State's Attorney, Jerry Brady.  Through this license I handled the Traffic docket nearly every day which ranged from first appearances to bench trials.   I also used my license in the Misdemeanor court room where I had bench trials and handled my first jury trial which we received a favorable verdict.  I also did research for Felony cases when I wasn't in court. 

With this license, I returned to the Peoria County State's Attorney's office on my winter break from school to assist in the Traffic and Misdemeanor courtrooms. I also utilized this license during my Spring semester my third year of law school when I worked with the Williamson County State's Attorney's Office in Marion, Illinois.  I worked in Traffic and Misdemeanor Courts there as well. 

Upon graduation and passing the bar, I returned to central Illinios and I am honored to be working at firm that I clerked for throughout college and part of law school.  I am happy to be back in Peoria and I am working with many attorneys who teach me about all areas of the law.