Barbara attended Michigan State University and Kent State University as an undergrad; and received a Bachelor's Degree in business administration from Kent State University in 1975. Afterwards, she became employed in the field of real estate sales, teaching and also in the hotel industry for several years before seeking and receiving a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from University of San Diego. Barbara graduated from the University of San Diego Law School in 1984 and was admitted to the California Bar that year.
Upon graduation, Barbara went to work for a large multi-practice law firm in which she learned general civil litigation and business litigation. She handled a broad range of cases involving everything from small claims to large personal injury claims. In 
1986 her law firm merged with another larger firm. Barbara settled into handling extensive litigation, both first and second chair. The following year, Barbara opened her own family law practice. She has been practicing law in the desert ever since.
27 years later, Barbara has handled over 500 cases. She has acted as a court mediator and has sat as a "Judge Pro Tem" in the Indio Superior Court System. She has volunteered as an advocate for juveniles, both in the Juvenile Court System and in the Family Law Division. Barbara has practiced in front of both of the current commissioners and judges as well as many former judges including those now retired.
Barbara has been a member of the Desert Bar Association and the Desert Bar Family Law Section for 27 years. She is a member of the University of San Diego Law School Alumni Association and the Michigan State and Kent State University Alumni Associations. She is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society in business administration.
In Barbara's spare time; she enjoys swimming, tennis, reading and writing. She is a recipient of the "Life Time Achievement Award" for theatrical work in the yearly "Bird Award" production that is sponsored by the Desert Bar Association. She has written, produced, directed and acted in numerous Desert Bar plays. Barbara has two grown sons and is the proud grandmother of a beautiful granddaughter.