Our People

Cynthia Birdwell Coombes joined Andrews Myers as its first marketing director in 2011, leading the firm’s marketing efforts and attorney business development initiatives, as well as steering on-campus recruitment, association relationships and client engagement. An active member of the firm’s management team and strategic planning committee, Cynthia was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2018, and now also leads the day-to-day administrative operations of the firm.

Cynthia is an active member of Associated General Contractors, where she has chaired the biennial APEX Awards Gala for three consecutive terms, has been Co-Chair of the ABC PAC for Associated Builders and Contractors, is the Associates Co-Chair for the Mechanical Contractors Association, and has been a featured speaker at the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section Annual Conference. Active in her community, she is a member of the United Way Women’s Initiative, was an Advisory Board member for Neuhaus Education Center, member of the Episcopal High School Parents Association, and heavily involved with The Nehemiah Center.

With a background in hospitality and real estate, Cynthia was an award-winning marketing leader for a national multi-family developer, as well as an international hotel chain, prior to joining the firm. She is a graduate of the Moody College of Communication at The University of Texas at Austin (B.S. Advertising).

The firm’s human resources manager, Veronica Aguirre is an important member of the firm’s management team and has over 13 years of experience as a human resources professional in the legal and medical fields. Prior to moving into HR, Veronica was a paralegal at a Texas-based litigation firm, experience which helps guide her when crafting employee policies within our industry. She joined Andrews Myers in 2015, and manages everything from recruiting, interviewing and hiring of new staff; consulting with top executives on company culture and health initiatives, and maintaining employee relations. She administers employee benefits and the firm’s 401(k) plan. Veronica is a busy mom of two boys and tries to spend any free time gardening, exercising and reading. She is active in the Houston Chapter Association of Legal Administrators group, is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). She has an associate’s degree in business, as well as the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification. Veronica is passionate about giving back to the Houston community through her volunteer work at Star of Hope.

Chris Granberry serves as the firm’s Chief Financial officer, working with the management team as a fractional executive to identify, create and implement strategies for continued revenue growth and profitability.  Chris has decades of experience as a C-Level executive, and also owner/founder, of firms in the electronics manufacturing, industrial services and software industries.

Margaret Surette joined the firm as our marketing and business development manager in 2025. She graduated from University of Houston, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors in English. Margaret has experience in legal marketing from her time as the marketing and business development coordinator at a regional corporate law firm. Most recently she served as the development manager for a contractor-oriented technical school, responsible for securing community partners and prospects interested in electrical apprenticeships, estimating, project management and obtaining TDLR/Journeyman licensing. She is a lifelong Houstonian and a graduate from University of Houston. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, animals, traveling and cooking.

Lotus Ren joins the firm as it’s first finance director. Lotus is a finance and accounting professional with a strong grasp of financial, analytical, and statistical tools and software, who brings nearly 20 years experience within the legal industry in roles ranging from controller to senior accountant to administrator. In her role as finance director, she oversees the firm’s daily accounting operations, including accounting, payroll, e-billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable departments. As the firm continues to grow, her role will also be focused on implementing process improvement, productivity analysis, budgeting and forecasting.

Lotus is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) affiliate member.

Cheryl Edwards joined the firm’s accounting team in 2013, and has over 12 years of experience working in accounting. As the firm’s accounting clerk, she runs our accounting software programs to process business transactions, like accounts payable and receivable, handles disbursements, expense reports and receipts. Cheryl’s hobbies include sewing and putting together intricate jigsaw puzzles. In her free time, she also loves to travel and spend time with family.

Lesley Fernandez brings over 20 years of experience in payroll, administration, and finance to her role as an Accounting and Payroll Associate at Andrews Myers. Before transitioning to the legal industry, Lesley built a successful career in the oil and gas sector, where she honed her expertise in managing complex financial processes. A graduate of the University of Houston, Lesley is passionate about ensuring seamless financial operations and maintaining meticulous attention to detail. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her son and exploring Houston’s vibrant restaurant scene, festivals, and local events.

Kaitlin Keys serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Andrews Myers Accounting Department. She grew up in Cypress until moving into town to attend the University of Houston. She enjoys taking long walks, cooking Ina Garden recipes, and watching 80’s action movies.

Nikita Whitford is the Legal Billing Coordinator for Andrews Myers and has more than 11 years of experience in the legal industry. A lifelong Texan, Nikita enjoys spending time with her Labrador, Costa, and her Golden Retriever, Buckley. She is an avid fan of the Houston Texans and Indiana Fever and volunteers her time helping with her children's gymnastics activities. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing and hopes to one day compete in a bass fishing tournament. Nikita is also proud to be a bonus mom to four wonderful children, an experience she describes as one of the greatest joys of her life.

The first person you see and hear when visiting or calling Andrews Myers, would be Wanda Henderson. After having worked in management and public relations in her family-owned business for over 22 years, Wanda has worked in reception at Andrews Myers for 20 years, and is as familiar to our clients as she is to our team members. In addition to her role in reception, she is a key member of the accounting team, responsible for ensuring that the firm’s invoices are accurate. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography and gardening. She loves to spend time with her family and friends and can also be found dedicating herself to various volunteering efforts in her community.

Summer Harris is our administrative assistant that assists with Human Resources, Reception, Office Services and Graphic Design. Summer is a native Houstonian and when she is not in the office she enjoys spending time with her two golden retrievers named Kiwi and Sadie. She also has a rescue dog named Tucker. She also enjoys drawing, origami and antiquing.

Ariana Orozo supports the firm’s Human Resources team with a focus on fostering a positive and efficient workplace environment. A native Texan from Sugar Land, she is deeply rooted in her community and volunteers at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Ariana is passionate about supporting others and advocating for the importance of mental health. In her free time, Ariana enjoys relaxing with her cat, Simba, and cheering on her favorite soccer team, Ecuador.

Billy Nelson works as the Office Services Manager at Andrews Myers, and has an extensive 30 years of experience managing copy centers and mailrooms, vendor relationships and quality assurance needs. There is probably not a single firm litigation client who doesn’t know Billy – he becomes an extension of their account team when preparing for trial, making sure every single need is met while in preparations. He treats everyone at the firm, both in Houston and Austin, the same way – no one is want for anything in our firm thanks to Billy. He is well known for being a great cook, and his homemade gumbo is legendary for firm celebrations. When he’s not at the office, he can be found cheering on the Dallas Cowboys and Golden State Warriors.

Robert Sevier is an office assistant with Andrews Myers, who has been working in the support services industry for more than 20 years. Based in the Houston office, he is a proven team player who keeps the office running efficiently.  Robert loves Fantasy Football, baseball, and is the commissioner of 2 Football Leagues and 2 Baseball Leagues.  People have a difficult time telling Robert apart from his twin brother, so that’s great fun for them! He enjoys spending time with his wife, tending to their vegetable and flower gardens and grilling outdoors.

Lucas Raney is a member of the firm’s IT Services team, responsible for maintaining the firm’s network, ticketing support system, implementing new systems across all devices, equipment needs and audio visual support.

Belinda Swanzy is a paralegal within the litigation practice group at the firm, but more importantly also serves as the eDiscovery and Litigation Support Director for the entire group. A Board Certified Paralegal in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Belinda is one of the “firm originals,” having joined Tom Myers and Bill Andrews nearly 35 years ago. A native of Port Arthur, she attended nearby Lamar University where she studied business and accounting, before being lured away by the firm. Belinda is Mensa smart, and her specialty is complex, multi-party, multi-jurisdictional litigation – the “hairier the better” – and she is incredibly skilled at managing a very fast-paced and high energy caseload. But she’s also known for her guidance and mentorship of the paralegal team, and is often a source of support for other firm departments as well.  Belinda loves her family, her dog, her job, the Astros, Texans and Longhorns, and in her free time, which isn’t often, might be found around a craps table in Las Vegas singing show tunes.

Lori Balzen has been a paralegal with Andrews Myers in Austin since 2017, and has more than 25 years of experience managing cases from anticipation of litigation through trial. She has her bachelor of science in American Jurisprudence/Legal Studies from University of Houston – Clear Lake. Working primarily with the Austin construction litigation practice group, including Carson Fisk and Clayton Utkov, Lori assists with all phases of matters, including hearings, depositions, trials and mediations. She stays busy with her two young sons and enjoys traveling and taking her family RV out for weekend camping trips.

Claudia Charles is a contract detail-driven paralegal who began her career as a legal assistant, quickly learning that precision in even the smallest tasks—organizing files, tracking deadlines, and managing workflows—can shape case outcomes. That foundation informs her work today, where she supports attorneys with drafting motions, preparing discovery, and handling lien matters. Known for her patience, clear communication, and adaptability, Claudia takes pride in the behind-the-scenes work that keeps cases moving forward. Born and raised in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Claudia brings the values of community, hard work, and resilience to her practice. She moved to Texas as a teenager, a transition that broadened her opportunities and helped set the course for her legal career. Outside the office, Claudia enjoys time with her family, cooking, traveling, staying active, and working on cars—especially vehicle wraps and customization.

Debbie Gregersen is a contract litigation paralegal with Andrews Myers, with over 34 years of experience. Prior to striking out on her own in 2021, she was a longtime member of the construction practice group and had the distinction of being one of the “firm originals,” as she was the first person hired by Tom Myers and Bill Andrews when they started the firm. She received a bachelor’s degree from LeTourneau University, and her master’s degree from New England College in New Hampshire. When not providing outside support to Jason Walker’s liens and collections team,  she can be found volunteering with her church, gardening, rooting for the Texans and pursuing various DIY projects.

Desiree has more than 23 years of experience in the legal industry, Desiree brings deep expertise, precision, and a steady commitment to excellence to her role as a Paralegal. She holds a Paralegal Certificate from Collin County Community College and a B.S. from Indiana University Northwest, grounding her work in both practical training and strong academic foundations. Desiree began her legal career as a Court Reporter Coordinator, an experience that shaped her appreciation for accuracy and organization—values that continue to guide her today. Originally from Chicago, Desiree now calls Texas home. Outside the office, she enjoys an active life with her two dogs, Nico and Wrigley, and her cat, Tali. She is an enthusiastic sports fan—proudly cheering for Da Bears, the Denver Broncos, and the Texas Longhorns. Desiree is also passionate about community service, having volunteered as a mentor with Academy4 in Pflugerville ISD and supporting outreach programs such as The Blessings Co‑Op. In her free time, she enjoys snow skiing in the winter, and boating and beach trips in the summer, making the most of every season.

Nancy Dyer Merchant brings over 32 years of experience in litigation to her role as a paralegal, combining deep industry knowledge with a passion for continual learning. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Oceanographic Technology and a Paralegal Certificate from the Institute for Paralegal Study, reflecting her commitment to both scientific rigor and legal excellence. Nancy’s favorite aspect of the legal field is the opportunity to learn something new every day, a mindset that keeps her engaged and adaptable in a constantly evolving industry. Her career has taken her from New York to California, but she proudly calls Texas home. Outside of work, Nancy enjoys gardening, tackling DIY projects, and giving back to her community—especially through volunteering with the Special Olympics, which she finds especially rewarding. Following Hurricane Harvey, her family grew by one very special member: a rescued chocolate lab named Abbie, who brings joy and companionship to her life.

Mindy Mufti rejoined Andrews Myers in early 2025 after initially joining the firm in the summer of 2022 and taking a brief hiatus in 2024. With nearly three decades of experience in the legal industry, Mindy’s career began as a secretary for an oil and gas attorney before transitioning to a legal assistant role supporting a team of medical and nursing home malpractice attorneys. She later advanced to a paralegal position in insurance defense litigation, where she gained extensive experience handling a wide range of claims, including construction defects, product liability, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and trucking and motor vehicle accidents. A Texas native, Mindy is known for her strong work ethic and dedication to excellence in everything she does. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, traveling with her husband, and watching all types of sports.

With over 30 years of experience in the legal industry, Debbie Pellegrin brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for continuous learning to her role as a paralegal in our Houston office. She thrives on the dynamic nature of the legal field, embracing the opportunity to develop new skills, refine processes, and connect with interesting people. Debbie began her legal career as a secretary at a law firm in Houma, Louisiana, where she learned one of her most valuable professional lessons: listen more than you speak and always be early. Outside of work, Debbie is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys walking, rowing, and biking daily. She’s also a devoted college sports fan, with a particular love for football and baseball.

Samantha Ray is a 12+ year experienced litigation paralegal at the firm. A Certified Bankruptcy Assistant by the Association of Bankruptcy Judicial Assistants, Sam works frequently with both the bankruptcy and business litigation practice groups. Sam assists Ed Ripley, Josh Judd, Lisa Norman and other attorneys on a wide variety of complex and corporate bankruptcy and credit matters for the firm. Experienced in federal and state courts, she is considered the “Go To” paralegal at the firm for large bankruptcy cases. Sam has an associate degree in paralegal studies, loves camping, swimming and spending time with her husband and three children. She also greatly enjoys having dance parties in the kitchen while dinner is being made.

Kimberly Scott has enjoyed her entire 24 year career as a paralegal within the Andrews Myers litigation practice group. She joined the firm not long after graduating from Sam Houston State University, and now manages a high-stakes litigation caseload including construction, energy, business and employment matters. Kim is known throughout the firm for her excellent organization and problem-solving skills, but she is better known around Houston for saving and fostering more than 100 dogs through her association with Friends for Life rescue. In addition to walking the dogs, Kim’s hobbies also include cooking, traveling and spending time with her friends.

Darbi is a seasoned legal professional with 25 years of experience in the industry. She holds a Master of Arts in Legal Studies, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology, and a Postbaccalaureate ABA‑Approved Paralegal Certificate. A native Texan, Darbi was born in Houston, moved to San Marcos at age 12, and has called Austin home since 2000. Her household is ruled by her chihuahua, Dr. Roo, who takes great joy in bossing around her son’s Belgian Malinois, Athinka. Outside the office, Darbi enjoys photography, yoga, crocheting, live music, and road trips. Whether she’s behind a camera lens or exploring a new stretch of highway, she brings the same curiosity and creativity that have shaped her long and successful legal career.

Melissa joined the Firm in 2019 to assist the lien team with lien filings and collections. Her excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and willingness to learn and help out wherever needed quickly led her to additional projects for the paralegals working in the litigation practice group.  In addition to being a very important member of the lien team, handling filing of liens/releases and communicating with many county clerk offices, Melissa is also involved with trial preparation, with heavy emphasis on preparing documents for production and exhibits for use in trial/arbitration proceedings, as part of the litigation team.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, listening to music and baking.

Charles Washington recently joined the firm as our eDiscovery project manager and works very closely with the litigation practice groups. He came to us with more than 20 years’ experience as a highly competent technical project manager and litigation support specialist. Charles attended Northwestern University, where he studied computer science, before landing in Houston several years ago. Charles has the Tech Geek thing down – he and a group of longtime friends have a 25-year running gaming tournament going on, and we hear it gets pretty competitive.

Michelle Woods has over 28 years’ experience as a legal assistant in the Houston market, where she spent much of her career at an international Am Law 100 firm, prior to joining Andrews Myers in 2012. In addition to her role as a legal assistant within the construction litigation practice group, she is also the Legal Assistant Support Manager for the firm, working with the team to ensure that administrative systems and processes are uniformly implemented across the offices. Michelle supports Co-Managing shareholder Ben Westcott, Seth Russell and Kevin Murphy. In her free time, Michelle enjoys reading, spending time at the beach, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with her friends and family.

Shelley Jordan is a longtime legal assistant with Andrews Myers who has seven years of experience in corporate and real estate transactional law, providing administrative support to Co-Managing Shareholder, Patrick Hayes, Emily Garrett, Josh Harrison, Brenton Pharis, Conner Bourne, Andrew Kidda and Scott McKaig. Prior to joining the firm, Shelley spent 17 years working with a regional law practice where she honed her administrative skills on matters related to family law and commercial litigation. She enjoys her role within the corporate and real estate practice groups not only for its complexity, but also for the ability to work with a variety or associates and clients in a fast-paced environment. Shelley has an AAS degree (with honors) in Paralegal Studies, and her hobbies include listening to music, spending time outdoors, and enjoying time with her family and friends

Maricela Koopmann is not just a legal assistant within the Austin office of Andrews Myers who has over 30 years of invaluable administrative experience, she’s also the de facto receptionist and primary contact for the firm’s administrative team in Austin. And those are just three of the roles she effortlessly maintains in the course of any given day. Fun Fact: Maricela has worked with many of our Austin attorneys at other firms prior to joining the Andrews Myers Austin office, proving how indispensable she really is to the team. She supports construction litigators Carson Fisk, Clayton Utkov and Champe Fitzhugh. In her free time, Maricela enjoys learning about different cultures and new languages. She is fluent in Spanish and basic American Sign Language, and is currently learning Russian. Maricela is a strong believer in giving back and is often found at her church’s food pantry, donating blood, or coordinating blood drives.

Andrea Banda is a Legal Assistant and has 25 years of experience in the Legal industry. She has earned an associates of Applied Science degree from The Center for Advanced Legal Studies. She helps supports Hunter Barrow, Emily Miller, Andrew Bender and Sharon McCally. She is a Texas Native and volunteers with Houston SPCA and BARC Foster. She is also a participant of Chevron Houston Half Marathon running for Texas Children’s Hospital.

Kathy Dubose brings more than 32 years of combined paralegal and legal support experience to the Andrews Myers’ Litigation Group. Her diverse background includes knowledge of, and experience in, commercial litigation, civil litigation, products liability, bankruptcy (Chapters 11 and 13) and other practice areas, which serves her well when working with litigators Jason Walker, Bill Davidson, Lisa Norman and Tim Ross. Kathy assists with all phases of matters within the construction, bankruptcy and employment practice groups to help handle hearings, depositions, trials and mediations. She enjoys working out (she consistently places in the top three with our firm step competitions), gardening, boating, the beach and fishing. She especially enjoys spending time with her family and her grandchildren.

Alexis Fry brings two decades of legal experience to our team. She has remained in this industry because she values fighting for who and what’s right and is amazed at how the law touches the lives of every individual, making an impact on the lives around us. Alexis assists construction attorneys Blain Donnell, Paul Goldenberg, Daniel Kemp and Mayra Maldonado.

Certified as a Professional Legal Secretary by the National Association of Legal Professionals, Starla Gurka was a longtime legal assistant with Andrews Myers, with over 31 years of experience specializing in commercial litigation support within the areas of construction law, employment law, and personal injury. Prior to joining the firm over 10 years ago, Starla gained experience as a legal assistant and office administrator for a regional law firm, where she spent 22 years working with both state and federal courts as a team member in the employment and civil litigation practice groups. An important member of the construction litigation, and liens and collections group, Starla supported Jason Walker, as well as Tom Myers in his construction transactional practice. Starla Gurka passed away January 12, 2022, after a years long, courageous battle with cancer.

Emily Harrison joined Andrews Myers as a legal assistant in the litigation practice group in 2019. She works with several attorneys within the construction, real estate and employment practice groups, Matt Cire, Billy Davis, Brittany Cooperrider and Bret Rycroft, in preparing for trials and court proceedings, written reports, draft pleadings, motions and docketing. Prior to entering the legal administrative profession, Emily was a teacher for nearly five years, and uses many of those skills learned in the classroom to efficiently juggle a very busy and active desk.

A graduate in human resource management from University of Houston – Clear Lake, Emily enjoys spending her free time traveling, going to concerts, and playing board games. She can also be found cheering on Houston sports teams, playing with her dog, and visiting with family and friends.

Haley Harrison is a Legal Assistant and has 3 years of experience in the Legal industry. She helps support Kenton Andrews, Andy Clark, Ieshia Dunmore, Rahul Rao, Wesley Walker. Haley has a Associates of cosmetology & applied science. When Haley is not working she enjoys spending time with her daughter Nora, painting and spending time with family.

Emely Jimenez is a Paralegal in our Austin office. She received her paralegal certification from the University of Texas at Austin and started in the legal industry working with testifying experts in accident reconstruction. Emely supports James G. "JG" Albertine III, Lance Lackey and Ryan McKee. Always wanting to make a positive impact on society, Emely volunteers with Keep Austin Beautiful, spends her free time exploring nature and is a busy dog mom to Tashi, who she adopted from Austin Pets Alive. She attributes her success in her career to her family members, who motivated her to continue school to further her career in law.

Sabrina Medrano is an Office Assistant and Junior Legal Assistant based in the Austin office, where she provides support to Bill Erwin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and brings a strong enthusiasm for learning the nuances of litigation. Sabrina values the opportunity to grow alongside experienced mentors and contribute to a collaborative team environment. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and two beloved rescue pets—a miniature poodle named Lexi and a cat affectionately known as McFatty.

Jennifer Pipes is a legal assistant with Andrews Myers with over 24 years of experience. She supports Colby Hodges, Bryce Latray, Elliot Kudisch and Zach Carrabine. In her free time, Jennifer can be found spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. An avid reader, Jennifer dedicates her time to adding to her book collection and also shopping for antiques.

Brenda Ratliff is a 15-year legal assistant at Andrews Myers who has over 25 years of experience in her field. An important member of the transactional team in real estate and corporate law, Brenda assists Tony Stergio, Bill Andrews, Jeff Lefkowitz and John Coselli. Brenda recently completed a degree in creative writing, which allows her to focus on her creative side – writing, acting and directing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in English and Writing, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Liberty University.  Brenda also enjoys cruising, spending time with family (she has been married 34 years and has 5 children!) and friends, and being a Sunday school teacher.

Susie Elaine Smith is a legal assistant with five years of experience supporting attorneys through meticulous case coordination, document preparation, and client communication. Susie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an Emphasis in Music Industry Studies from the University of the Incarnate Word and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas at El Paso. Outside the office, Susie enjoys yoga, playing video games, and long walks around Montrose and the Museum District. She helps supports Chris Robertson, Adam Robertson, Marcela Arevalo, Yvonne Nguyen, and Lucas Diaz.

Mia Tarpley joined our firm in 2025, bringing with her an impressive 46 years of legal experience. As a Litigation Legal Assistant, Mia provides invaluable support to Josh Judd, Ved Chitale, Aricia Amaro and John Williamson. Born in Dreux, France, and raised in Shreveport, LA, Mia moved to Houston around 1989. She has a kitty named Selina and is most proud of her granddaughter, who holds a bachelor’s degree and works with autistic children. Mia has two children: a daughter with a real estate license and a son who authored the children’s book “The Dynamite Adventures of Drew Sketcher,” which tells the story of a kid who was bullied. In her free time, Mia enjoys cooking, sewing, fishing, and spending quality time with her family.

Leticia Teran has over 40 years’ experience in the legal support field, having worked in large litigation practice groups within both international and national law firms, prior to joining Andrews Myers in 2016. She is proficient in all phases of pre-litigation and litigation procedures, and currently supports the firm’s mega-project and complex construction litigation team, consisting of shareholders Kristi Belt, Mark J. Levine, Colby M. Binford and Neal Green. Leticia enjoys spending her free time traveling, watching Houston sports teams, and binge watching Discovery+ TV. Leticia also has a great love for gathering with her family and having fun with her grandchildren.

Kimberly Tompkins is a legal assistant in our Austin office working with Andy Harris, Daniel Manning and Varun Reddy. With over a decade of legal industry experience, she’s seen cases in everything from family law to foreclosures, debt collections, personal injury, and real estate. Kimberly hails from South Carolina and loves her rescue Siberian Husky, June, and Clemson Tigers football. Kimberly can be found on the weekends visiting aquariums, zoos, and museums or watching true crime documentaries.