I was born in Staten Island, New York. I attended Regis University, in Denver Colorado, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. During my undergraduate career, I volunteered at homeless shelters.

I graduated from Franklin Pierce Law Center in New Hampshire, which is now University of New Hampshire School of Law.  I was the first female to graduate from Franklin Pierce Law Center in the dual degree Juris Doctor and Master of Law program in Intellectual Property, Commerce and Technology.  I participated in the school's Criminal and Commercial Clinical Law Programs, which allowed me to provide legal representation to indigent clients.  I enjoyed being a part of The New England Innocence Project and editing The Germenhausen Magazine.

I am a private attorney for the Mecklenburg County Indigent Defense Services and I also work as a private attorney for the Mecklenburg County Special Proceedings Court handling competency issues. I volunteered for Council for Children’s Rights and the NCBA Wills for Heroes program. Additionally, I am an Adjunct Professor for Charlotte School of Law.  I am currently licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Massachusetts.  I am a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar where I served on the Lawyer Referral Service Committee as Chair in 2014. I am an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association.