I was raised with a strong work ethic and learned from every job I’ve had. Growing up on a farm means doing what needs to be done, and I have: mucking out the pony’s stall, butchering chickens, walking behind a truck in a field to pick rocks, and standing on a grader sorting potatoes. I sweated in a summer-camp kitchen and waitressed in high-school and college. Campus work-study and jobs in the State Legislature followed, which led to being a lobbyist, and an interest in the law. Despite starting UW-Madison as a part-time law student, I was able to graduate early by taking extra credits while working to pay my own way.

I have been a lawyer for 25 years. I’ve served as a prosecutor for over 20 years, handling criminal, foster-care, juvenile delinquency, and traffic and forfeiture cases. I’ve also worked as an assistant corporation counsel; and, managed my own private practice in Oneida County. I’ve litigated the full spectrum of cases on a circuit court’s calendar. I’ve conducted dozens of jury trials involving criminal and civil discovery, written dozens of appellate briefs, and been trained as a mediator. I’ve filed and responded to cases as a private attorney, served as counsel for at risk-adults, and been appointed by the Court to protect the best interest of adults and children as a Guardian ad Litem. I’ve handled a variety of other civil cases, including divorce and child support, wills and other estate planning documents, and real estate matters. I have supervised both legal and non-legal staff, run my own business in Oneida County, and helped to manage both private and public budgets.

Professional Experience

  • Prosecute traffic, forfeiture, misdemeanor and felony cases and delinquency allegations, which have included: methamphetamine production; methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and other drug possession and delivery; school shooting threats; solicitation to commit homicide; sexual assaults of children and adults; employee, retail and other theft; impaired driving; Prescription Drug Monitoring Program requests; subpoenas for records; search warrant requests; pretrial litigation of other acts, joinder and other pretrial issues; litigation of court and jury trials; and, development of complex sentencing recommendations to accommodate offender treatment, rehabilitation and punishment as well as victim privacy and restitution. Chair the Coordinated Community Response Team. Assisted the Department of Social Services (DOSS) with a family guide to the Juvenile Justice System, and negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding between the DA’s Office and DOSS for juvenile cases.

  • Sole practitioner accepting Guardian ad Litem (GAL) appointments for adults as well as children in both family and child welfare cases. General practice including termination of parental rights, divorce, special prosecution, wills/trusts, real estate, declaratory judgments, and other miscellaneous issues. Pro bono work for non-profits and church.

  • Litigated cases as assigned, including; child in need of protection and services (CHIPS) cases; mental health commitments; zoning; American Disability Act (ADA) compliance; child support, and, general assistance to county personnel.

  • Executive Committee Member and Child Welfare Unit Team Captain 2008-2013:

    Represented the District Attorney in state and local community and policy groups; interviewed attorney and paralegal candidates; and, advised District Attorney on staffing, hiring, office policy and strategic child welfare initiatives. Managed attorneys, paralegals and clerical staff to litigate alternative permanency for children in the public child welfare system. Supervised implementation of electronic case-processing and data-management system. Examined local, state and national data and literature to conform local practice to best practice standards, including initiation of state’s first family drug treatment court and participation in model court process. Worked to improve outcomes for youth crossing between child welfare and delinquency systems. Implemented training and practice based on model standards of American Bar Association for child welfare cases as part of comprehensive staff training program. Presented on legal aspects of public child welfare. Maintained caseload of child welfare cases.

    Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Unit Team Captain 2004-2008:

    Supervised attorneys and paralegals to litigate case backlog resulting from resolution of federal lawsuit, improved case processing, maintained caseload of TPR cases, and initiated continuing legal education (CLE) program for child welfare staff.

    Children In Need of Protection and Services (CHIPS), TPR and Misdemeanor Units 1999- 2004:

    Litigated misdemeanor and civil cases including pleadings and pre-trial motions, interrogatories, depositions, dozens of jury and court trials; and, defended circuit court orders in CHIPS and TPR cases on appeal with written briefs.

  • Facilitated membership development of legislative priorities. Conducted media campaigns to support legislative priorities. Coordinated lobbying efforts with other public education groups. Lobbied state and federal policy makers.

  • Served as Legislative Assistant and Aide to a State Representative. Researched, developed and analyzed legislative proposals; reviewed drafts of statutory language; staffed committees; managed constituent casework; and, drafted speeches, newsletters, press releases and position papers. Worked as a Messenger to assist State Representatives and staff.