I traveled throughout the Far East and the United States as a US Naval dependant. Although I traveled extensively my dad's main tour of duty was in Subic Bay, Philippines. My dad retired after a career in the Navy in Tacoma, Washington where I finished attending high school at Bellarmine Preparatory High School. Following graduation I attended and graduated from Tacoma Community College where I obtained an Associates of Liberal Arts, Associates of Respiratory Therapy and an Associates of Technical Arts. In 1983 I continued my undergraduate studies at Creighton University, in Omaha, Ne. where I obtained a Bachelors of Science in Respiratory Therapy in 1986. During my time at Creighton I lettered in Varsity Swimming, was a member of the Women's Soccer Team and competed on the Tae Kwon Do team receiving my Blue Belt.

I attended law school at Creighton Law and graduated in 1993 with my Juris Doctorate. During my time at Creighton Law School I was actively involved in the Student Bar of the American Bar Association. In addition I taught the faculty, staff as well as the students on how to use the Internet to research.

Upon graduation I was appointed Director of Security and Risk Management for Clarkson Regional Health Center, now called The Nebraska Medical Center. During my time at Clarkson my job focused on reducing risk and liability for the hospital, patients and staff. In order to prepare for the merger of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Clarkson, I was laid off as Risk Manager. It was this event that sparked my move to Kansas City. I was already here about once a month to handle worker's compensation claims and fell in love with the city.

I utilized my background and skills with the Internet and began teaching in the Continuing Legal Education Department of the University of Missouri Law School. I continue to teach in the CLE Department and am considered to be one of the leading regional resources regarding Acrobat and Electronic Case Filing. In addition to my teaching duties at UMKC CLE I also teach Bankruptcy Basics to paralegals at Penn Valley Community College.

In 2001 I accepted a job with the United Auto Workers in Claycomo, Missouri. During my time with the Union I represented members from both Ford and General Motors in the Western District of Missouri Bankruptcy Court. Bankruptcy was the only area of the law I focused on during this employment. With an average caseload of 175 ongoing cases per month, I was exposed to many different scenarios. She handled not only Chapter 7 Cases but also Chapter 13's where the Debtor has to repay all or part of their debt over 3-5 years.

Although the new law is going to be tricky and somewhat overwhelming for the Debtor, the courts and the attorneys, I plan to stay in the field of bankruptcy. It is a very eliciting time to be a part of a new law. It will require more documentation, time and energy but in the long run I believe that many clients will still be able to receive the benefits of the financial relief that the Bankruptcy Code was originally designed to provide.