MMGDEVSITE - Key Persons
Berkeley has over 20 years of experience in the legal field, and he joined Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey in 2019 as a paralegal. He assists the attorneys with research, pleadings, file maintenance, correspondence, and court preparation. His ability to handle cases from start to finish ensures the smooth operation of the office. With knowledge of the local courts and procedures, he is skilled in client service, administrative support, and trial preparation.
Berkeley was formerly a paralegal for Marvin Chorzempa & Larson, PC law firm whose focus was in construction litigation. This experience made him familiar with liens, foreclosures, and property damage matters. He was also an office assistant with Ron Messerly, PC law office where he prepared contracts and pleadings. Previously, he spent more than a decade at the Multnomah County courts, giving him greater insight into the administrative aspect of the legal field.
Berkeley graduated from OSU with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a core specialization in US government and a minor in Journalism. During college, he participated in ROTC and earned a Superior Cadet Medal.
Brien was raised in Beaverton, Oregon. Immediately after law school he served as the law clerk for the Circuit Court in The Dalles, Oregon and then returned to Beaverton to being his career with MM&G.
Brien's experience is diverse, ranging from residential and commercial property transactions, 1031 exchanges and preparing commercial leases, to developing fractional interest and CCR documentation, to construction contracts and construction lien proceedings.
Brien's practice also includes working with individuals and businesses to create viable succession planning via asset transfers using limited liability companies, living trusts and related deeding procedures.
Frank was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. After graduating from Tulane University, Frank moved to Portland, Oregon to attend the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College.
Frank is the lead trial attorney at the firm and represents clients in mediation, arbitration and trial. Frank works with local business owners to navigate a multitude of business and employment issues by listening to their concerns and working with them to achieve effective solutions that minimize exposure to legal liability.
In his practice, Frank specializes in litigation and insurance defense. Should litigation ensue, Frank's straight forward approach helps clients put themselves in the best position to protect their business interests. As a litigator, Frank has represented employers in employment-related litigation, owners in business-related litigation, contractors in construction-related litigation, and trustees, personal representatives, and individuals in trust/estate litigation.
Frank's work in insurance defense covers a wide berth, defending company owners in shareholder disputes as well as clients entangled in employment discrimination, on their insurer's behalf. Frank provides retainage work for several clients in claim-related matters, for which he covers an array of responsibilities, responding to defect notices, civil complaints, and attending to all phases of litigation, including judicial settlement conferences and private mediations.
In his free time, Frank enjoys golfing, cooking, and music. He's always up for watching a good football game.
Larry was raised in Beaverton, Oregon. After graduating from law school, Larry received his initial training as an associate for Herbert W. Winfrey, one of Oregon's foremost business attorneys, thereby beginning his career as a business attorney. Following Mr. Winfrey's retirement in 1976, Larry became a partner in the law firm that has evolved into Moomaw Mesirow & Godfrey, L.L.P. Larry now serves the firm in an of counsel capacity.
Larry provides legal counsel to a full range of businesses, from sole proprietorships to multi-national corporations. Larry works with clients to address the challenges and opportunities they meet on a daily basis and to find the best solution that meets their business needs.
Nick was raised in Portland, Oregon. He has practiced business law in Oregon since 2000, and has a passion for helping clients craft deals that fit their personal and financial goals, be it via purchasing a business, selling a business, or forming a new partnership. His clients rely on his ability to distill clarity from complex situations.
In his practice, Nick has developed a keen awareness of the various tripwires and snags in partnership agreements that can destroy relationships down the road. He relishes the opportunity to fortify and create appropriate structure in these agreements, promoting healthy business partnerships.
Nick wants his clients to be well informed and confidently aware of all details pertinent to their business dealings. He assists his clients in understanding what they are working with-warts and all-and helps them structure transactions accordingly. When a client is ready to sell their business, Nick helps them put their business on solid ground from the perspective of a buyer. When negotiating the sale, he assists his clients in working through outstanding liability issues, navigating buyout structures, and reviewing complicated transaction specifics.
Nicolette Reite joined Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey in 2017 as a Paralegal. Utilizing her MBA knowledge, she works closely with our business law attorneys. She also works in other practice areas, including real estate planning and probate. She enjoys being able to directly assist clients and the dynamic nature of working in the legal field.
She has led a career in administrative and paralegal services, working in legal offices for the past five years. After earning a paralegal degree from an ABA approved program in 2016, she worked as a paralegal at a law firm specializing in family law. She handled all aspects of a small law office as the only paralegal, including drafting pleadings, managing client files, and providing reception. Previously, she worked as a file clerk assisting attorneys with file management, drafting documents, preparing correspondence, and managing loan packages.
In her free time, Nicolette leads a very active life. She has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for nine years and was the starting pitcher on her softball team during her undergraduate years. She also loves reading and reviews advanced copies of novels for various publishers.
Job Titles:
- Client Development Specialist
Patrice Godfrey is a business development professional with over 20 years of experience and demonstrated skills in sales, marketing, client development, and customer service.
As the Client Development Specialist at Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey, Patrice manages all marketing and business development efforts. She is the face of the firm, representing MMG in the greater Portland-area business community, as well as connecting with nonprofits and volunteer programs as a part of the company's corporate social responsibility.
Patrice was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she led a successful career in the travel industry. First, at a travel agency-managing a lot of moving parts with dates, deadlines, and gently reminding clients that she can't control the weather-and then, as a Client Relations Specialist with a cruise line for a number of years.
After moving to Oregon, she transitioned into elder care, serving senior housing and Alzheimer communities. Dealing with families directly, she provided tours of senior facilities and matched client needs to appropriate housing and services. She worked with three communities: Clare Bridge Memory Care, Alzheimer's, and Dementia Care; Park Place Assisted Living; and an Alterra center near King City.
Patrice is also an alumnus of the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Beaverton program. She volunteers with TVW, Habitat West, the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce, Hillsboro Chamber, and the Westside Economic Alliance.
Outside of work, Patrice loves to travel, listen to soul, funk, and R&B, and spend time with her English bulldog, Nola.
Richard was born in Berkeley, California but spent his formative years in Southern Oregon. He completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at the University of Oregon and attended the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. He graduated from law school in 2014 and passed the Oregon State Bar the same year.
Richard's practice includes both general business law and business litigation. He prides himself on a strong sense of integrity and his grasp of the economics of running a business in the present business climate. He helps clients carefully pick their battles so they get the most value out of their legal fees. The cases he most enjoys are the ones in which the end result offers a clear financial and business benefit to the client.
When he's not practicing law, Richard enjoys scuba diving and traveling to the Autzen Stadium to support the Oregon Ducks in person.
Having practiced public accounting for 10 years, Sarah Fantazia joined Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey as a Controller in 2019. Her experience in taxes as a CPA and as a quality control expert in audit matters have her working with everyone in the office and all of our clients. Whether she's taking care of bookkeeping, budgeting, business decisions, financial reporting, or scheduling, Sarah has proven to be an invaluable member of the Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey team.
Sarah grew up just across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington and attended high school and university in Portland. She is a mother of two and loves to spend her spare time playing with her children, reading, gardening, cooking, and staying active.
Stephan Warner joined Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey in 2019, becoming our newest attorney. He practices business litigation and transactional work, helping companies at all stages of the business cycle. He also focuses on tax issues within the firm. Stephan enjoys helping clients with business formation, restructuring, the buying and selling of their business, and prosecuting cases as needed.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Expert Legal
- Paralegal
A paralegal since 1982, Suzy Aspy is an expert legal assistant. She joined Moomaw, Mesirow & Godfrey in 2016 and assists attorneys with drafting documents, preparing litigation, and communicating with clients. Particularly adept at grammar and writing, Suzy enjoys drafting and preparing documents.
Suzy moved to Portland in the early ‘90s and worked with some of downtown's biggest law firms. She also spent many years in Idaho working as a paralegal. She earned her paralegal degree from Rocky Mountain College.
Outside of work, Suzy enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, as well as reading mysteries.