Learn About Our Board of Directors
Erin Byington, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Attorney Erin Byington grew up in the Pacific Northwest, thereafter joining the U.S. Marine Corps as a teenager. After honorable discharge, Erin relocated to Logan, Utah, met her husband while attending USU, and shortly thereafter attended the SJ Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. Erin has practiced law competently in several practice areas over the past 14 years, but chooses to focus on commercial litigation, family law, probate, and criminal defense. She has joined the Utah Courts’ roster of mediators and arbitrators for family law, commercial disputes, and probate matters. Erin appreciates that mediation and arbitration are alternative methods of resolving disputes, which are often more efficient and less costly than litigation through trial. Erin also frequently consults and serves as an expert with respect to military and federal benefits
Kacy Crandall, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Kacy Crandall has served with the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem since July 2011—first as a conflict Guardian ad Litem, and full-time since January 2014. She currently serves as the Private and Conflict Guardian ad Litem Coordinator, where she mentors and trains attorneys appointed in these roles across the state.
Kacy has been appointed primarily in the Fourth District Juvenile Court in Wasatch County, and has handled the majority of child protective order and district court protective order cases in Utah and Wasatch Counties. Her extensive experience in these matters has given her a strong sensitivity to the harm that can arise from the over-involvement of children in litigation. She champions a collaborative approach to resolving family conflict and is a zealous advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Kacy is deeply committed to understanding and representing children’s best interests. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Wasatch County Children’s Justice Center, contributing to community efforts to protect and support vulnerable children.
Prior to her work at the Office of Guardian ad Litem, Kacy was an associate at Allan & Easton, where she built a thriving family law practice within a firm known primarily for criminal law. Her success in this role earned her the distinction of being voted Best Divorce Attorney in the Daily Herald’s Best of Utah County Readers’ Choice Awards. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University, teaching in the legal studies department.
Most importantly, Kacy is the proud mother of three bright and beautiful boys. She is their fiercest advocate and most compassionate supporter—qualities that she brings wholeheartedly to her work as a Guardian ad Litem for the children she represents.
Del Dickson, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Del found his way to the family law world after building an adoption and assisted reproduction law practice in Utah. He currently works as a Private Guardian ad Litem representing children in high-conflict custody cases and Special Master, and is also working on becoming a Social Worker so that he can start to help families, parents, and children from that vantage point as well.
Valerie Hale, Ph.D.
BOARD MEMBER
For over two decades, Dr. Valerie Hale has been a leading expert in child custody evaluations in Utah, having completed hundreds of evaluations to assist the courts in making informed decisions for families in transition. In addition to her work as an evaluator, she has developed innovative, solution-focused processes such as Mediation Based Custody Consultation and Psychologist Assisted Mediation, designed to help families make thoughtful post-separation parenting arrangements.
Dr. Hale frequently serves as an expert witness, collaborating with legal counsel to assess appropriate methodologies in both custody evaluations and psychotherapy practices. Her expertise is widely respected among attorneys, judges, and mental health professionals.
As an educator, Dr. Hale has had an extraordinary reach—teaching over 40,000 Utah parents through the Divorce Education for Parents classes mandated by the court. She is also the creator of the Divorce Education for Children curriculum used in Salt Lake City, providing age-appropriate support and education to children navigating parental separation.
Dr. Hale’s work has had a lasting impact on the family law landscape in Utah, improving outcomes for both parents and children through education, thoughtful evaluation, and collaborative intervention.
Laura J. Hansen, J.D.
VICE PRESIDENT
Laura Hansen has practiced divorce and family law for over 19 years. She is the principal attorney at LJ Law, LLC, following more than four years at the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem, where she represented abused and neglected children.
Laura’s practice is rooted in a deep commitment to keeping the needs of children and families at the forefront. With a degree in Psychology and extensive training in mediation, child development, alienation, trauma, abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and personality disorders, Laura brings a unique level of insight and compassion to her work—especially in complex and high-conflict cases.
Since the Utah Chapter of AFCC received its charter in 2019, Laura has served as Vice President, playing a key role in shaping the chapter’s mission to support interdisciplinary collaboration in family law.
Gabrielle Jones, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Gabrielle Jones (Gabi) was raised an Army brat, moving around the continental United States until her parents divorced and she settled in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. She completed her undergraduate education at Utah Valley University and earned her law degree at the University of Oregon School of Law in Eugene, Oregon. Gabi is currently a Managing Attorney for CoilLaw and also serves as a Private Guardian ad Litem.
Robin Kirkham, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Robin Kirkham is an experienced attorney, mediator, and private Guardian ad Litem with a deep commitment to helping families navigate conflict with compassion and clarity. After earning her law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2004, Robin spent a decade in Idaho serving as a public defender, focusing much of her time on child protection and juvenile defense cases.
In 2016, Robin returned to Utah and opened her own family law practice in the Salt Lake area. Known for her calm presence and empathetic approach, she is passionate about the emotional core of family law and dedicated to bringing peace and resolution to families in crisis.
Robin’s practice reflects her belief that the legal process can be a pathway to healing when guided with care, experience, and a child-centered perspective.
Cassie J. Medura, J.D.
TREASURER
Cassie Medura is the managing partner of Medura & Maxwell Family Law, LLC, and a leading voice in Utah’s family law community. With deep expertise in complex divorces and high-conflict custody cases, she has built one of the state’s most respected and trusted family law firms.
Named among Utah’s Legal Elite and a proud member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Cassie brings decades of courtroom experience paired with a compassionate, client-centered approach. She is certified in collaborative law and is known for her unwavering commitment to resolving family disputes with dignity and care.
A Utah native and graduate of the University of Utah, Cassie’s personal experiences give her a unique and empathetic lens into the challenges her clients face. She also dedicates substantial pro bono time to representing children in high-conflict custody matters, ensuring their voices are heard and protected.
Marina Money, Ph.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Michelle Money is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in the assessment of adolescents and conducting family court evaluations. Her work supports families navigating high-conflict situations, custody disputes, and complex emotional dynamics.
Dr. Money also provides reunification therapy, helping to repair and strengthen parent-child relationships in the wake of separation or family disruption. She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a focus on depression, anxiety, and childhood disorders, offering evidence-based interventions that support emotional healing and growth.
She holds NOJOS credentials (Network on Juveniles Offending Sexually) and as been an active member of AFCC for many years, serving as a contributing her expertise to the interdisciplinary dialogue surrounding family court best practices.
Teresa Lynn Nelson, CMHC, M.Ed.
BOARD MEMBER
Teresa Lynn Nelson is a Certified Mental Health Counselor with a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in solution-focused therapy for children, adolescents, and families. With a strong belief in the inherent strength and resilience of every child, Teresa creates a supportive, collaborative environment that empowers families to overcome challenges and make meaningful, lasting change.
Her approach is positive, customized, and confidential, emphasizing progress over blame. Teresa works as an active and encouraging partner with both parents and children, helping them identify goals and develop the tools needed to move forward with confidence and clarity.
Whether working through behavioral issues, emotional struggles, or family transitions, Teresa is committed to guiding families toward emotional well-being and helping children break free from cycles of negativity. Her work is always rooted in professionalism, compassion, and a deep respect for each family's unique story.
Chelsy Phelps, LMFT
SECRETARY
Chelsy Phelps is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Northcentral University. She began her clinical career in community mental health in 2009 and, by 2012, transitioned to working in intensive outpatient settings, supporting individuals with personality disorders and psychosis.
In 2014, Chelsy founded Unified Family Therapy, where her work centers on supporting children and families navigating difficult transitions, particularly those related to separation and divorce. She is deeply passionate about family systems work and is known for her ability to help entire family units heal, adapt, and move forward with greater resilience and understanding.
Chelsy brings both clinical expertise and heartfelt commitment to her work, making her a trusted ally for families in conflict.
Clay Randle, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Clay is the Office Lead Attorney at Brown Family Law, LLC, where he has successfully managed hundreds of domestic cases, including divorce, paternity, modifications, and enforcement actions. With a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law, Clay has a strong family and civil law background. He is dedicated to providing effective legal representation and has previously worked at multiple law firms, gaining experience in complex litigation and transactional matters. Clay is fluent in Portuguese and is admitted to the Utah, Kansas, and Missouri bars. He is also an active member of the Utah Bar Association, AFCC Utah, and various other professional organizations. Clay enjoys Star Wars, sports, and spending time with his family in his ever so shrinking free time. Clay is a frequent and popular speaker at AFCC conferences and trainings.
Velvet Rodriguez, J.D.
BOARD MEMBER
Velvet Rodriguez is a highly respected master mediator, ADR trainer, and leader in the conflict resolution community. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2001 and completed advanced training in international alternative dispute resolution in 1998 through a collaborative program with the University of New Mexico School of Law, Southwestern Law School, and the Universidad de Guanajuato Facultad de Derecho in Mexico.
Since 1999, Velvet has mediated over 2,000 disputes spanning a wide range of issues, bringing skill, clarity, and compassion to each case. She is a Master Mediator for the Utah State Courts and serves as a primary trainer in alternative dispute resolution processes, helping to shape the next generation of mediators in Utah and beyond.
Velvet also serves as a board member and Family Section Chair for the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution, where she continues to promote excellence and innovation in dispute resolution practices statewide
Anna C. Trupp, LCSW
BOARD MEMBER
Anna C. Trupp, L.C.S.W., is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in clinical, child welfare, and forensic settings. She has completed over 750 custody evaluations and is recognized for her expertise in high-conflict family dynamics, coercive control, and the psychological effects of domestic violence. Ms. Trupp holds degrees from the University of Utah and Westminster College. In her private practice she offers therapy, forensic evaluations, and expert testimony. As a trauma-informed and evidence-based practitioner, she is an active member of AFCC, NASW, and the Utah Social Worker Association, and has served in leadership and advisory roles across professional organizations.
Todd Wetsel, J.D.
PRESIDENT
Todd is a seasoned family law mediator and Special Master with over 35 years of experience in the field. He has built a highly successful mediation practice known for resolving even the most complex and emotionally charged family law disputes. Todd is recognized for his unique blend of empathy, compassion, and a no-nonsense approach, having successfully mediated thousands of cases with a consistent focus on delivering practical, durable solutions that reduce conflict and support family transitions.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Development from the University of Utah (1987), followed by his Juris Doctorate from Willamette Law School (1990). Todd’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to helping families navigate the legal system with dignity, clarity, and care.
Todd currently serves as President of the Utah Chapter of the AFCC, where he is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among professionals working in family law. He is married to Kori Wetsel, a respected co-parent coach and consultant who specializes in supporting parents engaged in high-conflict co-parenting dynamics. Todd and Kori live in SLC and spend winters in Pacific Beach, CA, working remotely while enjoying the coastal lifestyle, including endless, inspirational sunsets, beach walks, and bike rides up and down the Pacific Coast Highway.