Janet L. Smith, founder of NORTHWEST ELDER LAW GROUP PLLC, is an attorney and mediator providing services in elder law, estate planning, estate administration, guardianship, and elder mediation. She is a graduate of Pomona College and the University of Washington School of Law. She has been practicing law in the State of Washington for more than 30 years. Although she found writing mystery novels to be extremely satisfying, she took the advice of many wise mentors who told her not to quit her day job. Her favorite part of writing Sea of Troubles, Practice to Deceive, and A Vintage Murder was taking road trips to research all the wonderful Northwest locations. Janet lives in Edmonds, Washington, and in her spare time enjoys hiking, sea kayaking, gardening and traveling.