Our Staff
Kathy Dwyer | Paralegal
Kathy Dwyer has been with the firm for nearly 25 years and is Paralegal to Jim Simon, the firm’s senior litigator, mediator and arbitrator, partner Ravn Whitington and David Wolfe in civil litigation, including real estate, construction, business, personal injury and wrongful death matters. Kathy received her early training in the Orange County Superior Court where she was a clerk. Kathy prides herself on her depth of understanding of the superior court system in California and Nevada, and has exemplified the firm’s dedication to client service. She is always up to date on each active litigation matter and is a steady resource explaining the status of each case to our clients.
Rebecca Reich | Paralegal
Porter Simon’s transactional staff is dedicated to developing and maintaining long-term relationships with clients. Rebecca Reich joined the firm in 2010 and has an AA degree in Legal Administration and over 25 years of legal experience as a paralegal/legal assistant. Rebecca Reich is Paralegal to partner, Brian Hanley, and assists him in all aspects of Brian’s business practice from entity formations, advising HOAs and contract negotiations. Rebecca assists partner, Steve Gross, with his employment and public agency matters. Additionally she supports Ethan Birnberg and Traci Mason Baldwin in real estate, land use and general business matters.
Melinda Smith | Legal Assistant
Longtime local resident Melinda Smith joined Porter Simon in 2005. She is the legal assistant for Kelley Carroll and Sara Davidson. Understanding that different families have different needs, our estate planning attorneys advise and assist our clients in creating the appropriate legal plans to implement their wishes regarding their financial affairs for both pre-death and post-death purposes.
Laura Kindelt | Paralegal
Laura Kindelt is a paralegal who works in our Trust, Wills, Estate Planning and Elder Law Group. As a graduate of UC Davis and the St. Mary’s College Paralegal Program, Laura has worked as a paralegal for over 25 years in Sonoma, Yolo, and Placer counties. Laura is passionate about helping people and is partial to working in estate planning where she can build trusted and valued relationships with clients.
Crysta Dwyer | Financial Manager
Crysta Dwyer came to Porter Simon 15 years ago, after receiving her Associates of Arts with Business Emphasis degree from Truckee Meadows Community College. Crysta is the firm’s controller and financial manager. She prepares financial management reports for the shareholders and the firm’s annual budget. In addition, Crysta serves as human resource manager, accounts payable and accounts receivable administrator.
