I began my legal career with Van Valer Law Firm, LLP in 2008, while I was a student at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
I am an Attorney and Registered Domestic Relations Mediator with a primary focus on Family Law. I help clients with matters such as divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianships, and adoptions. One of the greatest benefits I provide to my clients is giving them the peace of mind that I am there to help them understand and navigate the legal process, and to be by their side in court and mediation.
In addition to my work as an Attorney and Mediator, I am also a Guardian ad Litem. A Guardian ad Litem is someone who is trained to represent the best interests of children before a court. This often involves conducting an investigation and presenting a report with findings and recommendations regarding custody and parenting time to the court.
For those who are interested in an alternative to the traditional litigated divorce process, I am a trained Collaborative Professional. I help clients solve problems jointly, rather than having contested hearings where a judge ultimately decides the outcome.
In addition to my Family Law practice, I handle a broad range of real estate issues, including property line disputes, adverse possession cases, land contracts (sometimes called “rent-to-own” or “lease-to-own” contracts), deeds, and the purchase and sale of real estate. Likewise, I have handled a number of criminal cases, representing clients who have been charged with felonies and misdemeanors with requesting diversion programs, negotiating plea agreements, and representing them in jury trials.
In addition to my legal career, I serve as a commissioned officer in the Indiana Army National Guard. I have deployed overseas three times (twice to Iraq – first in 2005, and then again in 2009-2010; and once to Kuwait in 2019-2020). I am a proud Field Artilleryman and have been inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
I have been selected as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” from 2018 to present.