OUR STAFF
Michelle Mwenye
Legal Assistant
(703) 506-9440 ext 237
Michelle joined our team in September 2015 and has been promoted to litigation legal assistant working primarily with John Altmiller and Leonard Tengco. She is a service-focused Human Resources Professional with an extensive background in administrative support. She has worked in the Northern Virginia and Pennsylvania areas respectively, for 12+ years in a variety of construction and hospitality industries. She supported 3000+ employees while working at the Strayer University Corporate Office for 5 years. Michelle has a meticulous regard for detail and accuracy, with strong interpersonal service skills. Her passion for knowledge in the variety of services the Firm offers, makes her a great assistant with a go-getter attitude.
Nominated by co-workers, Michelle was honored by Virginia Lawyer’s Weekly as part of the Class of 2020 “Unsung Legal Heroes – Legal Secretary category. This award honors the people who “get it done, who keep the lawyers on track, who go above and beyond, usually behind the scenes.”
Kenya A. Bennett
Legal Assistant
(703) 506-9440 ext 236
Kenya joined the Firm in July of 2018. She is responsible for greeting clients, handling front office reception and various administrative duties. Kenya is the legal assistant to Darragh Davis and also provides legal assistance to all of the other attorneys on an as-needed basis. She has a can-do attitude and works hard every day attending to clients’ needs. She resides in Ashburn with her two children.
Tanya Hicks
Estate Planning and Trust & Estate Administration Paralegal
(703) 506-9440 ext 235
Tanya has been a paralegal with the Firm since December 2020 working primarily with Paul H. Melnick and Darragh J. Davis. As our estate planning and trust & estate administration paralegal, Tanya has extensive experience in drafting a wide range of estate planning documents, including deeds associated with the estate planning process. Prior to joining the Firm, Tanya worked as a paralegal in D.C and Maryland for 16+ years in the Trust and Estates department with extensive experience in litigation, probate, conservatorship, guardianship matters, special needs trusts, elder law, corporation and LLC formation. Tanya also designed, prepared, coordinated marketing campaigns and managed logistics trade shows. Tanya has also worked for Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and was assigned to a high volume of cases.
In her spare time, Tanya works with a community outreach program and has been recognized as a top contributor having impacted the lives of the programs recipients positively. Tanya resides in Maryland with her husband and their two children.
Alexis Sadural
Legal Assistant
asadural@pesner.com
(703) 506-9440 ext 250
Alexis joined our firm in May of 2021. Alexis is responsible for assisting Heather Steele and Linh Ly on the litigation team and other attorneys on an as-needed basis. Alexis graduated from George Mason University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology, Law & Society and a minor in Forensic Psychology. Prior to joining our firm, Alexis worked as a Legal Assistant in Southern Virginia in Workers’ Compensation. Alexis also has experience through internships with the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children as the Information Technology Intern to the Chief Technology Officer and Valera & Associates as a Legal Intern. In her free time, Alexis enjoys spending time with her dog, Archie, and traveling with her friends and family.
Alina McDuffie
Legal Assistant
amcduffie@pesner.com
(703) 506-9440 ext 244
Alina joined our firm in March of 2020. Alina is responsible for assisting the litigation team and other attorneys on an as-needed basis. Alina is a recent graduate from George Mason University and majored in Government and International Politics. Prior to joining our firm Alina has experience through internships from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and as a Legislative Intern for a Senator. For fun she enjoys traveling and trying out new bubble tea shops.
Nicholas Young
Paralegal
nyoung@pesner.com
(703) 506-9440 ext 228
Nicholas Young is a real estate paralegal with the firm working in the transactional department. Nick was born and raised in Virginia. In 2018 he became a licensed real estate salesperson and began learning the business. While he enjoyed practicing real estate, he found that he truly loved the legal side of the business; a passion for law was ignited. He brings his professionalism and integrity to his position. Outside of work, he is a voracious reader, and enjoys playing board games and spending times with his family and friends.
Steve Elliott
Settlement Coordinator and Title Agent
(703) 506-9440 ext 246
Steve works for the law firm as a closing coordinator making the initial contact with clients and agents, ordering titles and surveys and assisting with scheduling. He also works on the back-end assisting in real estate post closing matters.
Steve has worked for the law firm's affiliated title agency since 1998 and is licensed in Virginia for two national title insurance companies. Following his original career as a telecommunications technician he acts as the liaison for the law firm for its Information Technology, telecommunications and equipment needs.
Jessica Moore
Administrative Assistant
Jessica joined the firm in June of 2020. She is a student at the University of Virginia majoring in Political & Social Thought and Spanish. She writes for a college newspaper and has joined a debating society at UVA. Additionally, she has volunteer experience with a Virginia House of Delegates member. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and with friends and family.
Rima Misleh
Accounts Manager
(703) 506-9440 ext 230
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