Diane’s background in genealogy, law, and history includes:
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School, 1978
- B.A., History, Ohio State University, 1975
Professional Credentials and Affiliations
Law
- Licensed attorney – Massachusetts since 1985, Minnesota 1978-1985
- Highest Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating, AV® Preeminent* (for legal ability and general ethical standards), since 1985
Genealogy – memberships in national and regional organizations, including:
- Association of Professional Genealogists, and APG’s New England Chapter
- National Genealogical Society
- New England Historic Genealogical Society
- New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
Employment and Professional Experience
- Professional Genealogist, since 2009 – After decades pursuing her own genealogical and historical research interests, Diane has made genealogy her full-time business. She has completed hundreds of projects for clients throughout the United States and other countries, including research for the TV series “Who Do You Think You Are?” and an appearance on the show for BBC-London TV.
- Attorney
- Managing Partner, Rapaport & Rapaport, Boston, 1985-2004 – Business and employment litigation
- Partner, Gray & Wendell, Boston, 1984-1985 – Business litigation
- Associate, Gray Plant Mooty, Minneapolis, 1978-1983 – Business litigation
- Published author, since 2001 – Two award-winning books and more than 70 articles about genealogy, history, and law, with focus on court records research
- Public speaker, since 2003 – more than 200 presentations at events for conferences and seminars, colleges, libraries, museums, genealogy and history organizations, TV and radio
* AV®, BV®, AV Preeminent® and BV Distinguished® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.