Looking back, a career in advocacy was probably inevitable. Even as a small kid growing up in King County, I was a natural troublemaker and fiercely oppositional. I questioned authority at every turn and refused to back down from an argument. But underneath that defiance was a deeper truth: I simply couldn’t stand watching unfairness and injustice. I had a really hard time seeing those in power hurt those who had none. Over time, I learned to channel that innate resistance into a professional asset, a fearless and relentless drive to stand up to powerful institutions on behalf of others. 

My path to civil practice was forged through my extensive time on the front lines as a public defender. As a Supervising and Class A qualified attorney with the King County Department of Defense, I spent two decades litigating dozens of cases—including murder cases, use-of-force inquests, and complex felonies. While securing someone’s freedom was an incredible accomplishment that I was proud of, the victory often felt hollow when watching a client released to nothing because the government’s action had deprived them of everything else. Meanwhile, the institutional actors responsible for the harm faced no consequences, free to perpetuate the same wrongs.

That is why I transitioned to civil private practice—to use the law as a sword rather than just a shield. Today, I draw upon deep community trust, aggressive courtroom advocacy, and sophisticated investigations to champion victims of unlawful government actions, systemic misconduct, and abuses of power. Whether mobilizing multi-plaintiff groups or partnering as co-counsel, my approach remains meticulous, surgical, and centered entirely on the client.

Born and raised in the Seattle area, I come from a large, tight-knit family with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. While my upbringing was not without its own struggles, it was grounded in love and significant support. This personal history fuels my devotion to this community and a lifelong desire to make it safer, fairer, and more equitable for marginalized people—particularly our local BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ neighbors. As a queer woman, I understand firsthand the pervasive impact of bias. Representation matters, and I view holding harmful actors accountable through our legal system as a vital tool for creating lasting equity.