I have practiced law in Johnson City for 17 years, representing individuals and families in a wide variety of legal matters. I have provided legal and Guardian ad Litem representation in hundreds of cases in the Johnson City Juvenile Court. I am also the current appointed magistrate for the Johnson City Juvenile Court, and have developed strong working relationships in the Court. I am also a father, and have two great kids that attend Johnson City Schools, and understand the real life impact that the Court’s decisions have on children and families. I believe that experience, together with fairness, integrity, and a strong work ethic, has prepared me to serve our community in this position well, and I would be honored to have your vote.

We need to strengthen and expand our relationships with the schools and our community partners to increase access to services for children and families that come before the Court. We also need to promote fostering and foster parents, so that those individuals and families who are willing to take in and care for children in need feel supported and we can expand the number and availability of good foster homes in our State and our local community. Last but not least, we must ensure that there is continuity in the great work that has been done by Judge Sharon Green and the Court over the past 25 years as the Court makes this new transition. We should also look to expand the Court's use of new appropriate and available technology.

For 18 years, I have advocated for children, parents, and grandparents as an attorney in Juvenile Courts in Northeast TN. I have also served as a Guardian ad Litem, protecting the best interest of children in custody and child neglect matters. For the past 17 years, I have served as a Special Substitute Judge in Johnson City's Municipal Court. I have a record as an effective trial attorney and as a fair and trusted Judge. I was born and raised here in Johnson City, and have committed my personal time to volunteer work with Girl Scouts, serving on the Board of Trustees of Girls Inc., and teaching and directing children's theatre at various venues, including the Barter Theatre.

When children and families thrive, our entire community is safer and more prosperous. The reverse is also true, as methamphetamine plagues our community, financial hardship is widespread, and social media has opened up new realms of danger, our children suffer as a result, I believe that serving my community means serving our children first. As your Juvenile Court Judge, I will not take lightly my responsibility to follow the law, to treat those who come before the court with dignity and fairness, and to run the court efficiently. I will also hold delinquent offenders accountable while striving to provide early intervention and restorative justice for the overall safety of our region.

I've practiced juvenile and family law exclusively for 19 years and have had extensive training in advocacy for children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. I have served as Guardian ad Litem for children. I served on Foster Care Review Board and my husband and I were foster parents. My husband and I have been married for 24 years, and have raised our son, who is now attending college. I have been involved in community service by serving on the Board of Directors of Appalachian Highlands Humane Society for over a decade, Animal Control Board, Early Learning Center, and First United Methodist Church Parish Relations board. I have worked on community outreach programs through Rotary, church missions, and other local service projects.

Cases involving children who are victims of abuse or neglect require timely intervention. I am committed to resolving these matters expeditiously while prioritizing child safety. In matters of delinquency, I believe in accountability paired with rehabilitation. The goal is to redirect our youth in a way that encourages rehabilitation and reformation in an effort to reduce the number of youth that go on to enter the adult criminal court system as they become adults.