About Debbie
SOLE PRACTITIONER – since 1997
ORANGE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Temporary Judge – (2019 – 2023)
OCEAN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT – Board of Trustees (2004 – 2016)
WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF LAW – Professor (2000 – 2002)
• Licensed Attorney in California and Texas
• Served as Mediator in over 250 cases
• California DRPA trained
• Texas Credentialed Distinguished Mediator
• Versed in all areas of Family Law, including
– Dissolution of Marriage
– Child/Spousal Support
– Child Custody
– Division of Community Property
• Trained in the areas of:
– Conservatorships/Guardianships
– Family Law
– Special Education
– Elder
• Listed on the Orange County, California Court panel:
– Eldercaring Coordinator
– Probate Mediator
– Elder Mediator
• Listed on the Bexar County Mediation Wheel
• Works with the Court on Civil Harassment and Elder Abuse mediations
• Works with local communities in HOA disputes
ADR Training:
2022 Advanced Family Mediation
2022 40-hour Mediation Training
2021 Mental Health and Mediation: Promoting the Well-Being of Disputants
2019 Eldercaring Coordinator
2019 Elder Care Mediation
1999 DRPA Mediation Training
Associations & Memberships
AAM (Association of Attorney Mediators), since 2022
APFM (Academy of Professional Family Mediators), since 2022
ATLA (Association of Trial Lawyers of America), 1993 – 1999
California State Bar, since 1997
CAOC (Consumer Attorneys of California), 1996 – 1999
CAALA (Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles), 1998 – 1999
CWL (California Women Lawyers), 1997 – 2004
Delta Theta Phi Fraternity, since 1996
NAFE (National Association for Women Executives), 1994 – 1996
OCBA (Orange County Bar Association), since 1996
– Board of Directors (affiliate bar representative), 2000
– Board of Directors (West District representative), 2003-2007
– Elder Law Section Member, since 2019
– Ethics Committee Member, 1997 – 2004
– Family Law Section Member, since 1996
– Resolutions Committee Member, since 2000
OCWLA (Orange County Women’s Lawyers), since 1995
– OCWLA President 2000
SAEPC (San Antonio Estate Planners Council), since 2021
SCMA (Southern California Mediation Association), since 2015
Strathmore’s Who’s Who, 2006 – 2011
Texas Association of Mediators, since 2022
William P. Gray Legion Lex Inn of Court, 2001 – 2014
WSUAA (Western State University Alumni Association), since 1998
Professional Honors
Distinguished Service Aware, 2023
DRPA Sherpa Award (OC Superior Court), 2019
Dispute Resolution Program Act (DRPA) Mediation Program Contribution Award, 2019
CFRW Woman of the Year Nominee, 2016
Presidential Who’s Who, 2010
American Order of Merit, 2009
Who’s Who of Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs, 2009
International Who’s Who of Professional & Business Women, 2008
2,000 Notable American Women
Leesfield/ATLA Law Student Scholarship, 1996
Historical Charitable Work