Andrea joined Pates Law Group, PA. in December 2012. She moved to Orlando to attend Barry University School of Law, where she received the Family and Child Concentration in conjunction with her Juris Doctorate. Due to her particular interest in building strong families, Andrea has also been Certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Family and Elder Law Mediator and is a Parenting Coordinator. She is trained in the dispute-resolution method known as Collaborative Law, which emphasizes family-focused decision-making, cooperation, commitments to a faster process, potential cost savings and family privacy – all without court intervention.

Andrea works diligently to utilize her skills and training to help families work through conflict. She is available to both parties in dispute as an independent third party who can help develop resolution. Additionally, Andrea volunteers as a Guardian ad Litem in Orange and Seminole Counties. Andrea recognizes that ensuring the best interest of the minor child often requires reducing conflict and learning how to function effectively as a family during and after the legal process.