She was formerly a school teacher for 15 years, beginning her legal career in business litigation, followed by an assignment as a research attorney for Santa Clara Superior Court. She worked as in-house counsel in the banking industry for 10 years and also served as general counsel for Heald Business College. She has litigated a major fire fighting cost recovery case to successful conclusion (Poe Fire) and is presently counsel on three power line fire cases and advisor on other cost recovery actions.