Sue is an Ohio transplant who made detours to Boulder, Colorado, to Memphis, Tennessee, and back to Boulder before settling in Oregon in 1984.
Sue worked for private businesses until entering the legal field as a paralegal contractor 33 years ago, supplemented by five years at Multnomah County Family Court Services. In 2000 she was hired by the Oregon Judicial Department to establish and manage a facilitation program to serve self-represented parties in maneuvering family law processes and selecting and completing documents for the Washington County Circuit Court. She continued in that position for more than 17 years working closely with the family law judges, assisting thousands of litigants every year, serving on many statewide committees and task forces to improve legislation, rules, court processes, and standardized forms, and mentoring law school students and new attorneys.
Since leaving the court, Sue has worked for private family law firms and a non-profit law firm. In 2020 she was one of two paralegals appointed to the Oregon State Bar Paralegal Licensing Implementation Committee. The Oregon Supreme Court approved the committee’s proposal in July 2022, and the first licenses were set to be issued beginning in July 2023. Sue’s work on the committee, particularly the regulation workgroup, was a culmination of her career advocating for access to justice for those who are without resources for even partial attorney representation.
Sue earned an Associate of Applied Business Degree—Paralegal but believes her five years as a patient and family volunteer for hospice better prepared her for working in the area of family law. The training and experience provided invaluable tools for helping others through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Sue enjoys true crime shows, reading mysteries, scrapbooking, and spending time on the Oregon coast with husband, Jim. They live with their cat Snoopy, and dog Buckeye, a Tibetan Terrier. Sue enjoys whatever time she can get with her three stepchildren, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson.