Ms. Hovden has been practicing law for over 42 years; she was admitted to the practice of law in 1978 and immediately began working as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles. She obtained her law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California, and received her Bachelor's in Political Science at UC Berkeley.

Ms. Hovden was hired by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office in 1979 and worked there until 1984. As a Deputy District Attorney, she tried several hundred misdemeanor and felony cases. Ms. Hovden entered private practice in September of 1984. Since that time, she has represented hundreds of clients on criminal matters, in the municipal and superior courts in Los Angeles, Riverside County, and Orange County. She has been admitted to the Federal Bar and has appeared in the Los Angeles Central District Federal Court. She is also a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar.  

Ms. Hovden has also represented many family law clients. She is experienced in family law matters including child custody, child support, real property valuations, personal property valuations, and spousal support. Ms. Hovden is a member of the Long Beach Bar Association and has been an elected member of the board of governors of the Long Beach Bar Association.