I was born and raised in the Portland area by a strong willed, single mother. Between my two younger brothers and myself, there was never a dull moment.

I attended Sunset High School where I was probably considered a rebel without a cause.  My senior year I was awarded a scholarship for the Outward Bound Leadership course in the Okanagan National Wilderness in Northern Washington.  After spending a month in high country,
I decided that a break from the mainstream was necessary, so I took a job managing a 100 acre ranch in Jewel, Oregon.                   

After about a year, as the song goes, I realized I was a fool for the city, packed up my bags and moved back to civilization.  I attended Portland Community College for two years where I was actively involved in student government. As president of the Community Colleges of Oregon Student Association, I lobbied at both the state and federal levels on a variety of student issues. I then attended Lewis & Clark College where
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. 

I attended law school at Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon. Based on several historical events that took place while I was in law school, I realized the importance of the legal system, and most importantly, the need for people to have a zealous advocate in the process.

During my third year of law school, I worked for the District Attorney for Tillamook County, where I tried nearly a dozen cases and handled a variety of criminal matters.

After law school, I returned to the Portland area and began working at a medium sized law office where I handled a variety of cases including criminal law, family law, civil litigation and administrative law. In the fall of 2009, I joined the law firm of Wayne Mackeson, P.C., where I focus primarily on criminal defense and administrative law. I also do a variety of pro bono work in the community, including coaching the Sunset High School Mock Trial team. My passion is trial work.