I was a court reporter from 1985 to 2001. During those years I worked for freelance firms, and the State of Nebraska having been appointed by four different district judges to serve as the court reporter for Douglas and Dodge Counties. I took several years off to raise our three children full-time, returned to the legal community as a part-time bailiff and transitioned over to the Nebraska Justice Center as a volunteer in 2007. Shortly thereafter I became part of the NJC staff, took the mediation basic and family training and now am the office manager. As a court reporter, bailiff and judge's secretary I have been privied to hundreds of divorce trials and many more conflict situations involving children and families. I became very familiar with Decrees, and the requirements of the Parenting Act and observed negotiations taking place with hundreds of cases.