My Practice Areas

Becoming an attorney was an unexpected second career for me. Being an attorney is the hardest job I've ever had. I am focusing on my specific areas of practice for one reason...they are the two areas of the law that I love the most. I am passionate about the things I love. And the degree of difficulty that is part and parcel to being an attorney requires passion. Thus, my practice is focused on my first law love, criminal defense, and my surprising law love, wills, trusts, and estates. 

Interactions with law enforcement are inherently coercive and the consequences are daunting. The entire spectrum of criminal law carries broad consequences on your liberty whether you are charged with a traffic infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony. In addition, you are entitled to due process and challenging improper investigations requires robust advocacy. 

I endeavor to provide plain language analysis of the case against you and to be a reliable guide navigating the criminal justice system. You will need to make often unpleasant decisions in this process and understanding the scope and impact of your options allows for clear headed decision-making. 

More than anything, I want to see my clients exit the criminal justice system intact and ready for the rest of their journey. 

Estate Planning

Establishing an estate plan goes far beyond drafting a will. Everyone has an estate, both during and after life. A comprehensive estate plan includes numerous documents outlining both lifetime and afterlife wishes and authorities. Who you empower to honor your wishes and manage your estate is a delicate and highly personal decision.  It can be contradictory as well because such decisions carry both emotional and practical considerations. 

There is not a time too early to address your estate plan...but there are many times when it will be too late. Developing your customized estate plan will give you the peace of mind that your affairs are in order. 

Estate Administration

Administering an estate, regardless of form, is an area of law where many, many folks forgo the services of an attorney. Probate and/or Trust Administration is an undertaking that routinely stymies clients because it can often be much more work than anticipated. And not everyone nominated to be a personal representative wants to, or is able to, assume the responsibility.  

I offer various levels of assistance in the administration of both probate & trust estates and am always happy to schedule a consultation to help you decide how, when, and whether to take on the role of a personal representative.