Tonya is an honors graduate with a BS in Finance from Portland State University. She attended Lewis and Clark Law School, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. It was here that she served as Vice President of the Business Law Society in 1999/2000, also receiving Honors in legal writing. Tonya was recently appointed to the Alumni Board of Directors for Lewis & Clark Law School where she hopes to help raise money for student scholarships.

A member of the Oregon State Bar since 2001, she focuses exclusively on peaceful resolutions for families transitioning through separation or divorce. She spent several years serving on the board of the Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation and, is a two-time recipient (2002-2003 and 2006-2007) of the Outstanding Partner through the First Year Partnership Program with Lewis and Clark Law School for her efforts in mentoring.

One of Tonya's passions is building awareness of the Collaborative Method for divorcing families and she is proud to be a founding member and officer for Oregon Association of Collaborative Professionals as well as a founding member of her local collaborative practice group, Bridges Collaborative Divorce Solutions.

In addition to building her legal expertise and dispute resolution skills, Tonya is active in community and neighborhood committees, including being a past elected board member for Oregon's largest planned community, the Forest Heights Homeowner's Association (FHHOA) during 2003-2005. Tonya is currently an elected member of the Arbor Oaks transitional homeowners Board.

Tonya's activities outside of work include being a parent to two little boys, surfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, nordic and alpine skiing, scuba diving, photography, and travel.