Our Team

Sharon Lee Schwartz, Attorney and Mediator

Sharon Lee has been practicing law since 1995, is a mediator, a collaborative law practitioner, and a certified divorce financial analyst. Early in her career, she clerked for the National Center for Youth Law, the Women's Legal Defense Fund, and researched legal cases about human rights through a UC Berkeley fellowship in New Delhi, India. Before moving to Oregon, she practiced law in tribal and state courts on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. She opened her private practice in 2013 after directing the Roseburg office of Legal Aid Services of Oregon for fifteen years.

Sharon Lee has published articles about and given presentations at national conferences focused on achieving social justice. She attended Davidson College and Georgetown University Law Center where she was Section Editor of the Georgetown Journal on Fighting Poverty.

Sharon Lee co-founded the Umpqua Valley Time Exchange, is a past president of the Douglas County Bar Association, and has served on boards including AFS, a foreign exchange program for high school students, UCAN, Neighborworks Umpqua, the League of Women Voters, and Common Ground Mediation Program. She participated in the Douglas County Family Law Advisory Committee, the Douglas County Family Violence Prevention Council, and was appointed to the Oregon State Bar Affirmative Action Committee.

Ann Vaughn, Paralegal

Ann Vaughn has over three decades’ experience as a paralegal, having passed the national paralegal bar exam. She has worked in both private practice and in the non-profit sector at Legal Aid Services of Oregon. Ann taught and developed materials for self-help divorce and custody classes and has supported clients in filing appropriate paperwork and preparing for court.

Ann spent part of the 1960’s touring the country in a Volkswagon microbus with her two collies, and later could be seen in San Diego with her goat, Otie, riding in the back of her car. She is an

accomplished gardener and former beekeeper.

She has been involved in the community through work on the local Family Law Advisory Committee, the Housing Authority of Douglas County Self Sufficiency Board, the SPCA Board, and in the Eastside Community Garden. She currently volunteers extensively for the SPCA.

Kimberly Phinney, Licensed Paralegal

Kimberly Phinney is an active associate member of the Oregon State Bar as a licensed paralegal with a family law endorsement. She started her career in the legal field over 30 years ago when she skipped class her junior year in high school to attend an interview at a local law firm.

Kimberly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and a minor in Communications, from Eastern Oregon University. She is consistently broadening her legal knowledge through Continuing Legal Education courses, and attendance at the annual Oregon State Bar Family Law

Conference. Kimberly is pursuing a certificate in mediation to expand her current family law legal services which include assistance with self-help forms, consultations, and in-person court support in matters concerning dissolution, custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, and modifications in those areas.

Kimberly is an active volunteer in the community supporting local animal and youth organizations, including Future Business Leaders of America. She is also a member of the Oregon State Bar Unlawful Practice of Law committee, OSB Family Law Section, as well as the OSB Solo and Small Firm Section.

In her free time, Kimberly enjoys impromptu road trips, photography, camping, and exploring Oregon’s forests and beaches with her dogs.

Sharon Juarez, Administrative Assistant

Sharon Juarez grew up in Douglas County. She moved from Chicago and became fluent in English through the Roseburg School district, graduating from Roseburg High School in 2016.

After high school she was a chiropractic assistant for four years. Since joining the office, she has begun studying to take a series of paralegal exams through the National Association of Legal Assistants.

Sharon and her dog, Douglas, enjoy coast trips and flying kites on the beach. They are inseparable and have spent five years taking every opportunity to experience life together.

Bertrand and Vincent, Therapists and Rodent Patrol

Bertrand and Vincent appeared in 2019 when Bert climbed through a window, followed by Vince soon after.