I have lived in the mid- Willamette Valley since 1981, in Corvallis since 1989. Since 2000, I have been an attorney based in Corvallis, providing legal services in real estate law, business law, estate planning, and construction law, as well as other practice areas. Before beginning my career in law, I enjoyed a 15 year career as a professional forester in the private sector of Western Oregon’s timber industry. During those years, I gained invaluable experience with the workings of the business world generally, but particularly as it relates to land, natural resources, and the environment, and the impact of those things on people and families. In 1997 I entered law school at Willamette University in Salem, and graduated 5th academically in the class of 2000. Since then I have practiced law primarily in the Corvallis and Albany areas, but I also serve clients throughout the Willamette Valley and the Central Coast, and as far away as Seattle and Medford. I am currently a solo practitioner with an office in downtown Corvallis. One of the main reasons I decided to begin a career in law is that I recognized a need for skilled attorneys who could bring real life experience, and an appreciation for the needs of the clients, from a personal as well as legal perspective, to the practice of law. That's what I do. You will not see any leather-tassled shoes or insincere smiles in my office, nor will you be billed $50 for every phone call or email. I've always believed that approach is not conducive to the successful, professional, practice of law. With me, you are assured of receiving top-quality, reasonably-priced legal services, in a user-friendly, comfortable setting.  When I am not working I enjoy photography, gardening, hiking, skiing, travel, and generally just living on an acre in the wondrous Willamette Valley, with my two teenage sons, our dog and cat, and an aquarium full of colorful fish.

My journey to becoming a lawyer has provided me with the skills to challenge and overcome barriers. I grew up in a military family, which strengthened my ability to adapt and negotiate as I moved from state to state. While finding myself through all of that, I was lucky enough to find and develop a love of skateboarding at a young age. It gave me a Tabula Rasa feeling even before I knew what that was. I owe my level of persistence and determination to that sport. It taught me to never give up and to always give it "one more try". When I'm not skateboarding, you can find me in the kitchen trying to recreate my favorite meal in this world, dhalpuri and curry duck. Cooking has taught me a lot about patience and attention to detail. Before attending Willamette College of Law, I attended the University of Denver where I received a Master of Science degree, and Indiana University where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree. I believe that the system is not fair. Systemic issues, biased social-cultural structures, and inequality of access to resources contribute to most legal issues. My role as a lawyer is to support my client in overcoming such barriers, especially in the context of criminal defense. During law school I concentrated my efforts on drug reform, ultimately becoming Vice Chairman of Willamette's Law Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter. During that time our group was able to successfully lobby for social equity and help create House Bill 4088, as well as lobby for what became Ballot Measure 109. Now that I am no longer in school, my focus has shifted to criminal defense trial work.