I have been an active practitioner in the field of Family Law since 1968.

In 1999 I decided that I was no longer comfortable walking the line between litigation and mediation / collaborative work.  In late 1999 I officially stopped doing litigation cases to concentrate on No Court Divorce (sm), settling cases according to the needs and interests of the parties.  When cases cannot be settled through mediation or collaboration I have been successful connecting my clients with litigators who can best represent them in court.

 I have been a trainer in Collaborative Practice since 2000 and have spoken to the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Idaho.  I serve on the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Public Education Committee and primarily train for Collaborative Practice Silicon Valley.

 A graduate of San Jose State  University in 1964 (B.S. Business) and the University of Santa Clara in 1968 (Juris Doctor), I was admitted to the California Bar in 1968.  When the State Bar of California first certified Family Law as a specialty in 1980, I took the necessary tests to complete the specialty certification, achieving certification that same year.  I have also become a certified mediator with Santa Clara County and am a qualified Alternate Dispute Resolution provider for the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

 In addition to the continuing education required by the Bar to maintain certification as a family law specialist, I have also taken classes in and taught the collaborative process.  For 30 years my practice also included more traditional civil litigation,  including suits involving the breach of a contract between people living together ("Marvin" cases) and lawsuits involving injuries caused by one spouse to the other.                               

 I am currently the Chair of the Association of Collaborative Law Attorneys (NoCourt.org) and a member of the Collaborative Law Association and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.  I am an active member of the California Association of Certified Family Law Specialists and have served on their board for many years. I have been chairman of the Family Law Section of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. In connection with the Santa Clara County Bar Association, I have chaired the Santa Clara Family Court Local Rules Committee through the first two revisions of those local rules. This committee was composed of local attorneys and Superior Court Judges. I was also instrumental in creating a settlement conference procedure in family law cases.   I have also been on the  boards of the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyer's Association and the American Psychology‑Law  Society.

I have taught continuing education to lawyers on most aspects of family law including: preparation and trial, negotiation and settlement,   psychological issues, interspousal injuries and the use and application of Family Court rules. I have been a panel moderator, coordinator and speaker on behalf of many organizations including: the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the Collaborative Law Association.