Laurie earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Clara University school of law where she spent a semester studying at the University of Tokyo in Japan with the Institute of Comparative and International Law. Following graduation, she became a member of the State Bars of both Washington and California and began her legal career in Washington State working in the Office of the Public Defender. This experience included not only trial and pre trial hearings but also as a public defender she was given access to meet with the defendants on the floor of the jail where the non-felony inmates were housed. This provided invaluable experience in dealing with difficult situations. These litigation skills were further honed during her time representing clients in family law court proceedings.

After returning to Southern California, Laurie began to practice personal injury and assisting with disability retirement appeals. The first written appeal she assisted in writing led to a rare decision by the Court to grant the disabled member’s attorney’s fees. Upon entering the field of Workers’ Compensation in 1999, Laurie devoted her career to representing public safety members. She is a long standing member of the California Applicant Attorneys Association and is a member of the Workers Compensation section of the California State Bar.

Prior to law school, Laurie earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she graduated with both honors and distinction in the major of political science.  During college she obtained a coveted position working for the local Santa Barbara State Assemblyman assisting him in helping local constituents with the issues affecting their day to day lives.

California Bar Admission (1993)

Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D. (1992)

University of California, Santa Barbara, California, B.A. (1989)