When I started my law practice, it was in a very small town in Sonoma County. I helped people with legal issues they had with the town and with their neighbors — issues that affected their day-to-day lives - buying or selling real estate, seeking compensation for injuries or contract problems, general dispute management.

I then went off to San Francisco, where I took on large roles handling large mediations on large topics. I built an international reputation for myself as a successful mediator and became known for my ability to help people and businesses change how they make decisions and save money.

Now, I have returned to my roots as a Main Street lawyer in Sebastopol, California. I handle a wide range of legal issues, including personal injury, real estate, elder law, small estate planning, end-of-life decision-making and general business consultations.

Along the way, because I've lived most of my adult life in the rural parts of Sonoma County, I've developed a special history working with people who share ownership of land or roadway easements. From communes and co-housing to TICs, shared driveways and neighbor disputes, I have worked as an advocate, a mediator and a problem solver with individuals and groups or who have become adversaries.

One of the things I most enjoy as a lawyer and mediator is helping groups of people build a new way of living together.

For people at the beginning of a path to co-ownership of land, I help develop a workable and enforceable set of agreements that will enable the new co-owners to work and live together knowing their shared purpose, the obligations they’ve undertaken and the expectations they can have from their land-mates. I've often brought in colleagues with specific expertise in tax planning, land use and business entity formation to handle the most complex of arrangements.

Let's Discuss Your Case.

My law office is on Main Street, two blocks from the post office and right on the town square. Talk to me about your legal concerns by stopping in, filling out my online form or calling 707-483-1816. Before our initial consultation, I will have you fill out a legal checklist to help us address your concerns.