After 18 years as a principal in the firm, in 2009 I decided to devote the majority of my time to pro bono practice while remaining involved in asbestos litigation on the firm's behalf. With the firm's generous support I continue to provide assistance for the asbestos practice, but now focus on representing a wide array of clients whose cases might not otherwise be brought. These include the family of an elderly woman strangled to death by the lanyard of her Lifeline personal help button, a 60 year old victim of domestic violence currently serving an indeterminate sentence in prison for the death of her husband, a class of women workers subjected to sexual harassment at a gaming casino, and other cases. I also continue to mentor attorneys at the firm.

Prior to going to law school I taught sociology and women's studies at the University of Maryland and Antioch College in Ohio. However, I wanted what I did to benefit people more directly than I felt was possible as an academic, and this led me to the practice of law. I joined The Firm as a law clerk in 1984 and subsequently became an associate and then principal.

I have a keen interest in occupational health and safety issues, and have been an officer and member of the Board of Worksafe. I also serve as Vice-Chair of the Board of the East Bay Community Law Center, and on the Board of the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies.

I am a member of Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, the National Lawyers Guild, the American Association for Justice, Consumers Attorneys of California, the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, and the Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association (Member of Board of Governors in 1990.)