Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2002. Member of the House since 2003.

Current Assignments

2011- Vice Chair, Judiciary Committee

2007- House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations

2011- Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families

2003- House Special Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse

2003- Women Legislators of Maryland

Past House Service

Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2013-2014; Special Joint Commission on Public Safety and Security in State and Local Correctional Facilities, 2013; Parliamentarian, 2007-2010; Chair, Family Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2007-2010; Family Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2003-2010; Estates and Trusts Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2003-2006; Juvenile Services Workgroup of the Judiciary Committee, 2005.

Public Service

Commission on Child Custody Decision Making, 2013-; Maryland Medical Marijuana Model Program Workgroup, 2011-; Task Force to Study Implementing a Civil Right to Counsel in Maryland, 2013-2014; Task Force to Study Sports Injuries in High School Female Athletes, 2014-; Maryland Alcohol Safety Action Program Committee, 2010; Montgomery County Chair, Bi-County Delegation, 2008-2010; Chair, Bi-County Agency Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2008-2010; Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2008-; Task Force to Combat Driving under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol, 2007-2008; Chair, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Matters Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007-2008; Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee, 2007-; Chair, Bi-County Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007; Bi-County Committee, Montgomery County Delegation, 2003-2007; Legislative Committee, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2006; Redistricting and Elections Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-; Task Force on Missing Vulnerable Adults, 2004-2005; Legislative Representative, Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Montgomery County, 2004-.

Memberships

Vice President, Board of Directors, St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, 1998-2009; Board of Directors, Montgomery County Bar Foundation (Treasurer, 1998-99), 1998-2006; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-; Maryland Green Caucus, 2003-; Board of Trustees, Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2003-; Citizenship for Law-Related Education Program, 2003-; Barrister, Montgomery County Chapter, American Inn of Court, 1999-2002, 1993-1996; Executive Committee, Women's Bar Association of Maryland, 1995-2002; Alan J. Goldstein Chapter, American Inn of Court, 1997-2000; Fellow, Maryland Bar Foundation, 1999-; Board of Directors, Summer Ridge Condominiums, 1991-1999; Pupil, Montgomery County Chapter, American Inn of Court, 1990-1992; Maryland State Bar Association (Family and Juvenile Law Section); District of Columbia Bar Association; Montgomery County Bar Association (Treasurer, 1997-98; Co-Chair, Family Law Section, 1997-98; Co-Chair, New Practitioners' Section, 1990-92); Women's Bar Association of Maryland (Executive Committee, 1995-2002; President, Montgomery County Chapter, 1999-2002); District 15 Democratic Club; Women's Suburban Democratic Club.

Awards

Legislator of the Year Award, Maryland Access to Justice Commission , 2011; Champion for Children, Department of Human Resources and Maryland State Bar Association , 2010; Beverly A. Groner Family Law Award, Family and Juvenile Law Section, Maryland State Bar Association , 2010; Rita C. Davidson Award, Women's Bar Association of Maryland , 2010; Dorothy Beatty Memorial Award, The Women's Law Center of Maryland , 2010; Top Fifty Women Lawyers, D.C. Magazine , 2010; Top Twenty-Five Women Lawyers, Baltimore and Law & Politics Magazines , 2010, 2009, 2008; Maryland's Top 100 Women, Daily Record, Circle of Excellence , 2009, 2007, 2005; Legislative Policy Award, Maryland Chapter, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel , 2009; Legislative Policy Award, Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women , 2008; Recognized, One of the Top Fifty Divorce Lawyers in Metropolitan Area, Washingtonian Magazine , 2004, 2000; Recognized for Outstanding Pro Bono Services, Catholic Charities Legal Services Network , 2004, 2001.

Biographical Information

Born, La Jolla, California, July 5, 1958; St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland, 1976; Mount Vernon College, Washington, D.C., B.A., Public Affairs and Government, Communications, cum laude, 1980; University of Maryland School of Law, J.D., 1983; High School Teacher, U.S. History and Government, St. Elizabeth Seton High School, Bladensburg, Maryland, 1986-87; Acting Administrative Assistant, Office of Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools, 1987-88; Assistant to Dean, Graduate School, University of Maryland University College, 1988-89; U.S. District Court for District of Maryland, 1990; Attorney: Quinn, McAuliffe & Dumais, 1989-96; Attorney: Principal, Litigation Practice Group of Paley, Rothman, Goldstein, Rosenberg & Cooper, Bethesda, MD, (concentrating in family law) 1996-; Single.