I have been a full time practicing attorney and mediator since 1992.  My focus is in two areas:  (1) Mediation of any type of dispute between 2 or more parties; and (2) Domestic Relations. 

I was raised in Crawford County, Arkansas and attended Alma High School.  Go Airedales!   I then graduated from Hendrix College in 1989 with a B.A. in English. Go Warriors! Lastly, I graduated from the University of Arkansas, School of Law, Fayetteville, in 1992.  Go Razorbacks! I love my community and serving others when they are in crisis.  Empathy, knowledge of the law, the ability to think on my feet and untold hours in a courtroom trying cases has made me pretty tough. I usually meet people at one of the worst times in their lives and do my best to help them get to the light at the end of the tunnel, intact and looking forward to tomorrow.

I have been married since 1995 and have three children, Paolo, Sammy and Gabriella.  We enjoy arguing amongst ourselves and none of us are ever wrong, especially me.  Our other hobbies are hanging out with good friends and trying to live in the moment.  We are also Christians and are very active in our church community.  My husband and co-worker, Tony Canova, grew up in Bentonville, AR and also graduated from Hendrix College. We have been married since 1995! Tony and I recognize how lucky we are to keep our family together and realize watching the demise of families on an all too frequent basis has definitely played a role in keeping our family intact.  Because we witness the sadness, pain, frustration, anger and fear of people going through a divorce or a custody action, we make a conscious effort to follow the Golden Rule of "Do unto others..." These are the particular arease, under the umbrella of "Domestic Relations" that I handle, both as a lawyer and a certified mediator:

1. Divorce
2. Modification of Custody or Visitation
3. Alimony
4. Paternity
5. Guardianship of a Minor
6. Adoptions
7. Name Changes
8. Contempt issues

I particularly enjoy mediation. After more than a quarter of a century of watching people and lawyers tear each other apart in the legal process, most particularly in the courtroom, working with both parties to resolve problems is much more satisfying to me, as a mediator, and the participants. Mediation is a much better way to approach issues related to a family. We determine what issues need to be addressed and brainstorm, or "problem solve," ways to resolve each issue and handcraft a resolution to everyone's satisfaction. The alternative, that being lots of lawyers, witnesses, trials and a legal process that can go on for sometimes a year or more, oftentimes results in an expensive "cookie cutter" result that usually leaves both parties unhappy and with a lot less money after paying for all that legal work. Simply put, mediation works.