Candidate for
Superior Court Judge; County of Orange; Office 21

I have practiced law in Orange County for 21 years. From 1981 to 1997, my practice was primarily civil, with an emphasis on family law and personal injury matters. I successfully represented victims of domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse. My private practice also involved other general civil matters, such as drafting wills, contracts, mechanics lien disputes, landlord-tenant matters, legal proceedings involving governmental agencies, and bankruptcy. Since 1997, I have been employed as an Orange County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator. My intimate acquaintance with the court system, and my varied legal experience makes me uniquely qualified for the position of Judge of the Superior Court.

As a lawyer in private practice, I represented clients in jury and court trials. As an Orange County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator, I assist and educate self-represented litigants, to help them understand and cope with the confusion they face while navigating the court system. I helped establish the Office of the Family Law Facilitator in Orange County. It was a unique concept, established by AB 1058 in 1996. "Family Law Facilitator" has since become a household word for many people. The program has helped thousands upon thousands of parents seeking assistance with their child support problems and other family law issues.

Prior to entering the legal field, I graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara. I taught high school and junior high school for seven years.

I attended Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California. I was on the Dean's List, on Law Review, and was an American Jurisprudence Award recipient.

I have lived in Orange County for 30 years, during which my husband and I raised two children, who are now adults. We have four grandchildren. For approximately 16 years, I was an active member of Soroptimist International of Laguna Beach, an organization of professional women. I served on various committees, chairing several, throughout that period. Soroptimist International has been very active and effective in its efforts to prevent domestic violence.

I was an early participant in the Orange County Family Violence Council, and involved since its inception. I served as chair of the Volunteer and Legislation Committees. I served on the Steering Committee. As chairperson of the Legislation Committee for 4 years, I oversaw the tracking of many pieces of legislation that related to domestic violence, and reported regularly to the organization.

I have traveled extensively and have studied law in other countries. In 1979, I studied international law, the law of the European Economic Community, and the history of the English legal system. These courses were offered through the University of Notre Dame Law School, London Centre for Legal Studies. I later had an opportunity to observe the practice of law in the U.S.S.R. and in China as a result of my participation in legal seminars offered in those countries. The system of laws in the United States may not be perfect, but it is based on the concepts of fairness and justice, and is far superior to any other I have observed.

As a Judge of the Superior Court, it will be my job to achieve justice. I promise to carry out this duty, to carefully listen to the facts presented by the litigants, to rule on the evidence, and to properly apply the law. With your vote, I can do this.