What’s something interesting, fun, or unique about your business that might surprise us?

Everyone seems to be curious about the area of psychedelic law that is a part of my practice. I am a founding member of the Psychedelic Bar Association, and the work I do is in consulting, advocacy, and litigation. I am completing my academic capstone project in June, 2025, at the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research, which is part of  the California Institute of Integral Studies. When complete, I will receive a Certification in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research.

Some of my clientele in this space includes: (1) business formation, governance, and operation, as well as consulting on changes in the law and policy for: ketamine clinics; psychedelic-sacrament focused churches and clergy, including for spiritual end-of-life and palliative care; product production and sales, including federal and international policy; business contract formation and litigation including non-disclosure, non-compete, and IP issues nationally and, as of late, internationally.

What’s a memorable experience you’ve had with a customer or client?

I have a lot of memorable experiences but I think one of my favorites was a time when my mother-in-law brought in her elderly friend to discuss an unsolicited real estate contract she received in the mail from one of those “we buy your home sight unseen” organizations. She was about to sign it. I sat with her and broke down my areas of concern with the offer and identified how much of her legacy (homes are often the biggest part of our legacy estate) she may be forfeiting by not going with the real estate agent with whom she had engaged prior to receiving this “offer by mail”. In the end, she sold her home with the help of her agent, who represented her well and was also compensated for his efforts (which he earned), and she still kept more of what she created for herself in doing so. She compensated me with an embroidered handbag with a $2 bill in it. Now, this is not my going rate so do not expect that (legal disclaimer), but this was a quick review, I declined other compensation, and I felt good about being able to help someone to not be taken advantage of so she had enough to move out of state to be near her adult children.

In other service, I enjoy my pro bono time at the Neighborhood Law Clinic on the second Thursday of the month, held 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

 How long have you been in business? 
I have been a real estate and finance professional for over twenty years. In that time, I’ve owned and operated several businesses, including my own real estate brokerage, and became one of the top three percent of mortgage finance professionals in San Diego for over ten years. I opened my own legal practice on Voltaire Street, just South of Catalina Avenue, in 2023. My areas of practice include business formation and governance, real estate transactions and litigation, estate planning and probate, and I work in the psychedelic legal field.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love all areas of my practice, but the work I do in estate planning and business formation and governance is particularly fulfilling because these undertakings allow me to focus on risk and conflict prevention, rather than resolution, and when I write something I feel is particularly prophylactically solid, I get overwhelmingly excited about it. NERD, I know.

 What’s one thing you’d like locals to know about your business or how you serve the community?

I live here, work here, and play here. I will see you around town, and I want to leave you with the feeling you enjoy working with me and are prone to tell others about your positive experience, and likely to want to join me for a pool game at Cat Lounge, Lucy’s, or the Tilted Stick.

 What’s one thing you’re proud of that you’ve accomplished?

I am proud of everything I’ve accomplished. I have two beautiful children; I am a wife, mother, lawyer, business and property owner, creative and loyal friend, a silly and professional advocate (maybe not in that order), who endeavors each day to make her, her family, her clients, and her friends proud.

 What’s a lesson you’ve learned the hard way in business?

Early in my career I learned that your support team is the most important part of your business and the way you treat them can make or break your success. For example, I have learned trusting in the professionals you rely upon is greater than micromanaging. In practice, I am so grateful for my paralegals and legal assistants – they are an invaluable part of my practice and without them the work-product and service I provide would surely suffer. Treat your human capital well – they are the most valuable part of your business.

 Do you have a furry office assistant or workplace mascot?

Yes, two shepskies, Siberian Husky and German Sheppard mixed fur babies. One is six-year-old Uno Bella and she is often in the office with me.  The other is Barkley, my granddog, who was left behind when my son left for college last year. However, he is on my screen when I am at work via Camp-Run-A- Mutt’s cameras because he is still two years old and a little too busy to join the office just yet.

 What’s a surprising skill or talent you have outside of work?

I like to create incredibly detailed horror makeup and costuming for Halloween. I start at 4 am and have a revolving door of friends and family in my chair until about 7 pm every Halloween. Costume contests? I expect to win ‘em!

 What’s your go-to way to recharge after a long day?

Spending time with my husband. I try not to talk about work and don’t often work at home if I can avoid it. So, when I am home, it is my recharge time. Also, it would be decompression-by-true-crime-documentary because I am like so many other women in that way – weird, right? Yah, we’re weird.

 If your business had a theme song, what would it be?

“The Theme of Law & Order,” by Mike Post for the show Law & Order. For me however, it’s, “Law & Order: Special Twenty-Five-Page Brief Unit.”

 Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you at work?

"Don’t let one cloud obliterate the whole sky." —Anais Nin

 How do you celebrate wins at work?

A personal client call to celebrate jointly is the biggest rush.

What’s a hidden gem business in Point Loma that more people should know about?

I cannot answer this because they’re hidden and I am absolutely invested in the confidentiality of others. But if I HAD to share one, it’s lunch at Volare.
Shh…don’t tell anyone.