Today I helped judge "We The People" high school mock congressional-hearing competition sponsored by AZ bar & foundation. If the level of intelligence and heart exuded by these youth is any indication, the future of our democracy is in very capable hands indeed.

What I love about Valentine's Day is that it is an entire day devoted solely to celebrating love. I think that includes all kinds of love, romantic/sexual, platonic, agape (caring about your fellow beings), etc. Because what is more important to a life well lived than love?

People think family law is only about sad, awful, terrible things like divorce & unwed parent splits. However, sometimes really happy things occur like adoptions and, in this case, a father and his family (especially grandma) finally getting some visitation time with the kiddos!

Just wanted to debunk some fake news going around that PETA is telling people to eat python meat instead of beef as a more environmentally friendly food option. When I heard that rumor last evening, I just had a feeling it wasn't true, and it's not. abcnews.go.com/International/…

Virtual court hearing this morning. Opposing counsel states that his client, the father, is back in "his" life (the child's). However, the child is a girl. Oops! Tip: Know your clients and their cases! LOL! ;)

Guess what's on the cover of the latest ABA Journal? A story about animal law! The cover story was a retrospective of the Endangered Species Act and some interpretations by leading animal lawyers of today, including members of the TIPS Animal Law Committee I also belong to! #ABA

For perhaps the first time ever in the state of Arizona, a judge has upheld a shared custody agreement for a pet! This is HUGE! It shows that the court recognizes an animal can have a strong emotional bond with more than one human (and vice versa!) Hooray! #petcustody

I know you all have been waiting with bated breath for the latest news on the pigs we sponsor at Ironwood Pig Sanctuary in Tucson, AZ, so here you go! Despite some recent health issues, Eleanor and Henry are in tip-top shape and doing well! Enjoy! ironwoodpigs.org

I'm excited to announce I've been selected for a new group at the State Bar of Arizona, the Advancement and Improvement Committee! I'm especially proud that it comes during the reign of one of my classmates from University of Arizona Law, Benjamin Taylor! #gocats

Just in the nick of time, I got my Arizona Notary Public license renewed today, which was the deadline! Pheeeew! I have been a notary since 2000, and it is a point of pride for me, whether I notarize much or not. Thanks, Davis Funds, for helping me accomplish that way back when!

Went to another law firm's office today for a deposition and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the lawyer's two dogs, a large black lab and a small white terrier. I will have to see if my landlord will allow me to have a pet or two at my office! #officepets

I recently had a new surprise happy ending in a pet custody dispute case: Even though the animal was awarded to one party by the judge, they decided to give up the pet after learning of some chronic health problems. My client: Overjoyed! Her pooch: Enjoying playing with a ball.📷

Pretty darned excited about the newly formed Advancement and Improvement Committee (AIC) at the State Bar of Arizona I was selected to serve on. azbar.org/for-legal-prof…

Word to the wise: Do not, I repeat, do NOT attempt to file anything at the in-person Maricopa County Superior Court Clerk of Court counter at southeast (Mesa) facility right now. Wait is ~1 hr. 15 min.! Who has that kinda time?

This past Saturday I had the extreme privilege and pleasure of being one of the invited judges for the Arizona Ethics Bowl sponsored by Northern Arizona University. It entails teams of high school students from schools around the state competing over hypothetical moral dilemmas.

Since I know you've probably been waiting with bated breath for an update on Eleanor and Henry, the pig "couple" we sponsor at Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, here is the latest letter and pictures of them, from Jan. 31, 2025. Enjoy!

This article about emotionally immature people and how best to deal with them could have been titled "How to deal with Narcissistic Personality Disorder people," as the behaviors are pretty much identical. I deal with this a lot as a divorce lawyer. msn.com/en-us/money/ca…

Emotional immaturity lies at the root of many divorces I handle. It takes two to tango, but here one spouse cannot seem to grow into a fully mature, partner-nurturing adult. How to fix before it goes too far! msn.com/en-us/health/o…

AZ Game & Fish and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum are partnering to help save the endangered desert pupfish native to Arizona! Hooray! Swim, little buddies, SWIM! kjzz.org/science/2025-0…

I recently assisted a family in getting their dog back after a hybrid companion-animal adoption/breeding agreement went awry. Finally, almost six years later, they have been reunited with their beloved pet. Welcome back home, Bodie!