She has practiced law for over 30 years, and considers herself extremely fortunate to be able to limit her practice to adoptions. She attended the University of Illinois as a James Scholar, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1973 with high honors. She obtained her law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1977. She then moved to the Peoria area to accept a position with the law firm of McConnell, Kennedy, Quinn & Johnston. At that time she was one of only 5 female members of the Peoria Bar Association. She opened her own office in 1980. She served as a law clerk to Justice William B. Wombacher of the Illinois Appellate Court for 3 years. She has operated her present law office focusing on adoptions since 1986.