After college, worked as magazine researcher and fact checker

Wrote and produced local television in San Francisco

Hired as a story editor and teleplay writer for the FOX drama, "Party of Five"

First film credit, as co-writer of the Disney animated feature, "Pocahontas"

Produced the film adaptation of the fairy tale Cinderella, "Ever After"; also co-wrote

Penned the screenplay for "Erin Brockovich," starring Julia Roberts; earned a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award nomination

Wrote the Sandra Bullock dramady, "28 Days"

Reportedly did uncredited work on the screenplay for "Charlie's Angels"

Hired to do rewrite work on "Unfaithful," a remake of the French film "La Femme infidele"

Wrote the screenplay adaptation for "In Her Shoes," which is based on the novel by Jennifer Weiner

Penned the live-action/animated feature adaptation of "Charlotte's Web"

Made directorial debut with "Catch and Release," a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Garner as a woman mourning her fiance's death

Wrote the screenplay for "The Soloist"; based on a series of columns written by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez