Leveling the Field between Injured Iowans and Insurance Companies.

I am a transplant to the fine state of Iowa as I was born and raised in Virginia. I grew up on a farm. My family grew apples and peaches and raised cows. I always enjoyed working side by side with my mom and dad. I participated in sports throughout my high school career. I have always had a competitive spirit. I was voted Female Athlete of the Year my senior year of high school. I was lucky enough to get athletic scholarships to attend Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia. I played volleyball and softball throughout my college career. I worked really hard and graduated in only three years. I received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with minors in Psychology and Sociology. I met my wonderful husband while attending Bluefield College. He is a native of Montezuma, Iowa. We moved to Iowa after I graduated from Bluefield in 1997. We originally moved to Sioux City, Iowa where my husband played baseball for the Sioux City Explorers. I thought we would be there for a summer and then move back to the east coast. I fell in love with Iowa. It is a great state. I found a job as a paralegal at Gildemeister & Keane LLP. I worked with Edward Keane who practices primarily in workers' compensation and personal injury law. I learned a lot and really enjoyed the work. I had always dreamed of becoming an attorney so in 2000 I started law school at the University of South Dakota School of Law. While attending law school I continued to work at Gildemeister & Keane. As if I was not busy enough working and going to school, we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl between my second and third years of law school. Since she was a Fourth of July baby, we named her Liberty. I graduated University of South Dakota School of Law in 2003. My husband got a job coaching baseball at Marshalltown Community College, so I was fortunate enough to find a job at Fairall, Kaplan & Frese. While an associate at Fairall, Kaplan & Frese my husband and I decided to complete our family with one more child. Surprise, Surprise we were blessed with twins. We had a baby girl and named her Ella and a baby boy we named Brady. I was an associate at that firm for two years before opening my own law firm with two other partners. At the law firm of Bennett, Steffens & Grife P.C. I was a general practice attorney. I particularly enjoyed the fields of Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury. Now I am fortunate enough to be working with Walker, Billingsley & Bair. I will be practicing primarily in the areas of Workers Compensation and Personal Injury.
            When we moved to the Marshalltown area we landed in a little town called Haverhill. We moved there in May 2003. In January, 2004 I was elected to serve on the city council. I served for two years and then became the City Attorney for Haverhill. I did that for a couple of years and now I am Mayor of the fine town of Haverhill. I really enjoy being the Mayor of the town I love. Whenever we meet new people my kids always introduce me as the Mayor of Haverhill.
            I enjoy being involved in the community. I am on the Executive Board for the YMCA and the YWCA. I think the Y is such an asset that can be utilized by all members of the community. I coach my girls' softball teams and I am an executive member of the Marshalltown Girls Softball Association. I also coach all of my kids' basketball teams. It keeps me busy but I think family is important. I am a member of the outreach committee at my local church. I also enjoy volunteering at the House of Compassion.
I love my family, job and living in Iowa. I feel very fortunate that I moved to Iowa in 1997. I am a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and Marshall and Tama County Bar Associations. I am also a member of Iowa Association of Justice. I have worked extremely hard to make my dreams come true. All my clients are very important to me and I enjoy working for my clients. My competitive edge and my work ethic make me a good attorney who will fight for my clients.