For over 35 years Sandra has been helping those going through separation or divorce to resolve their legal matters. She has focused the past 25 years on mediation and negotiated settlements. Knowing the financial and emotional toll of going to court, and the effect of litigation conflict on children, she’s encouraged her clients to view court as a last resort.

Sandra completed her training in Collaborative law and mediation in 2001 and 2002, convinced that the Collaborative process offered a better way for those finding themselves in these difficult circumstances.

In the Collaborative process participants keep control of the outcomes of their legal matters. Parents are in a better position than judges, who are strangers to their families, to make decisions about their children’s futures. The Collaborative process allows parents to maintain their dignity and protect their children as they work out solutions that meet their needs and those of their children.

Sandra completed further training in 2007 to become qualified as a Parenting Coordinator (PC). In her role as PC she uses mediation and arbitration skills to assist parents with parenting arrangements for their children. To become a PC, Sandra completed coursework in psychology in areas of attachment, child development, separated family dynamics, and high conflict personalities, among others. Also, she gained a great appreciation for the support that mental health professionals provide to those who are going through the court process, but also for those who choose to resolve their matters collaboratively.

Lawyers and Separation and Co-Parenting Therapists work as a team in the Collaborative process. Sandra has found that her clients are better able to navigate the legal and emotional aspects of separation with team support. In addition, neutral Child Specialists and Financial Specialists can be engaged to provide invaluable assistance to participants and the team.

Sandra appreciates that families as a whole benefit from the support of the team-based Collaborative process.

Outside of work, Sandra enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her husband, young adult daughter, and their German Shepherd, as well as riding Jasper, a handsome thoroughbred x quarter horse.