I was born in West Virginia, and spent my youth in Florida. In 1963 I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Political Science.

I graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1967 with a Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree. I was admitted to the California Bar Association in 1969 and was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand in 1990.

Returning from New Zealand in 1997, I am now a member of the Sacramento Collaborative Practice Group, www.divorcelaw.com, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, www.collaborativepractice.com, and the ADR Section of the Sacramento Bar Associations.