A juvenile dependency law practitioner with more than 30 years of civil litigation experience, this expert witness focuses on dependency proceedings, adoption, guardianship, and related child custody matters. With over 5 years of expert witness experience, the expert provides litigation consultation and courtroom testimony in cases involving foster care, permanency planning, and abuse and neglect proceedings. The expert’s practice is limited to juvenile dependency and related custody issues, including appellate representation in dependency cases and consultation on procedural and substantive questions affecting children, parents, and caregivers. Earlier professional experience includes civil litigation, appeals, and administrative hearings on behalf of state agencies, providing a strong foundation in regulatory compliance, administrative law, and government decision-making processes relevant to dependency proceedings.

In addition, the expert has held leadership roles within organizations dedicated to child welfare advocacy and education, including service as Training Director for a nonprofit organization focused on supporting children in foster care and those who advocate on behalf of such children. The expert has also served in temporary judicial capacities in juvenile court dependency matters and has participated on judicial advisory and rules committees addressing juvenile and family court procedures. The expert is admitted to the State Bar of California and multiple federal courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The expert is a Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist (CWLS), accredited by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and the American Bar Association, and a Certified Appellate Law Specialist certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. The expert holds a Juris Doctor degree and has served in board-level leadership positions within national and regional professional organizations dedicated to child welfare and dependency law.