Growing up, those who knew me best joked that I should become a lawyer because I was never afraid to argue my point. Now, after more than 35 years as a practicing attorney, I see each case not as an opportunity for debate, but as a chance to stand up for what’s right.
My legal career began in the field of criminal defense, which, as you can imagine, requires a certain tenacity. When you’re fighting to protect a person’s constitutional rights — not to mention their freedom — you must always be prepared for the possibility of trial, even if it appears as though the case is headed down a more amicable path. Fortunately for my clients, this is something at which I have always excelled. Frankly, when you believe in fair trial and justice as much as I do, being a part of it comes all too naturally.
To me, there is no greater injustice than ignoring a chance to help someone.
At my core, I am a litigator. I have good instincts in a negotiation, and I am not one to back down easily. Today, my practice does not require a great deal of litigation because when it comes to foreclosure defense, criminal law and student loan defense, nearly every case can be resolved without escalating to trial. Still, I find that my background in criminal and civil litigation gives me a certain advantage in each area of law that I practice. Allow me to explain.
For starters, I don’t just prepare for each case I handle; I over-prepare so that I am ready for any direction that case may take. And, when it comes time to negotiate with the other side, the litigator in me can’t help but push for a better deal whenever possible. Finally, on the rare occasion that trial is in my client’s best interest, I am able to personally represent them through to the end of their case.
Like Kathryn, my passion for helping others isn’t limited to our office hours. Outside of work, I enjoy teaching what I know about foreclosure litigation to other attorneys and offering pro bono legal counsel to veterans. In my spare time, you can generally find me enjoying a movie or pouring over a good book.