Growing up in a household shaped by substance abuse and domestic violence, I witnessed firsthand how trauma impacts children and families. Those early experiences did more than influence my path to law—they ignited a lifelong instinct to protect the vulnerable. That instinct still drives me today, especially when I see children used as pawns or clients bullied in family law proceedings. At the heart of everything I do is a deep belief in compassion, clarity, and standing up for what’s right.

My career path has been winding. After my first year of university, I moved to Moscow, Russia to teach English to 1st and 5th graders. When I returned, I completed my undergraduate degree at Seattle Pacific University, diving into pre-law courses that sparked something in me. I went on to work as a 9-1-1 dispatcher in Oregon and Washington, and in HR for several years, but the call to law never left me.

In 2013, I earned my Advanced Paralegal Certificate from Edmonds Community College and began working at a family law firm. I loved it from the start. A year later, I enrolled in the Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program so I could offer legal services to those who could not afford a full attorney. I was licensed in 2017 and eventually opened my own solo practice.

As an LLLT, I had to break down complex legal procedures so my clients could represent themselves. I came up with tips and tactics to ease their anxiety of the unknown and prepare them for success in their cases. My ability to explain legal strategies in straightforward, relatable terms continues to be a tremendous asset to my clients today.

One of my proudest moments came while I was still an LLLT. I helped a client with no legal background prepare to represent herself in a parenting plan case. She faced an attorney on the other side, but with targeted preparation she not only held her ground, but won majority residential time and relocation rights for her children.

But there were limits to what I could do. It pained me to tell clients, “I wish I could help more, but I can’t.” I wanted to be the voice for my clients in the courtroom. So at age 45, I made the leap to law school. I continued to work while attending the part-time evening program at Seattle University School of Law, where I graduated cum laude in 2022. While in law school, I served as a Rule 9 Legal Intern with the Housing Justice Project, assisting tenants facing eviction during COVID.

I came to DuBois Levias Law Group thanks to Heather Shutter, who I met on my first day of law school. She spoke so highly of the firm I had to see it for myself. I quickly fell in love with the positive atmosphere and the way DLLG invests in the lives of both clients and employees.

Outside of work, I live in Lake Stevens with my husband, Sean, our two energetic dogs—Bella and Max—and our cat, Tux. I’ve transformed my backyard into a small-scale urban farm full of raised garden beds with veggies, berries, and blooms. I love reading, cooking, board games (don’t challenge me to Phase-10 unless you’re ready to lose), and the occasional movie marathon.