Karen Benning has been with the firm for 39 years. The majority of that time has been spent in the probate department taking care of files relating to estates, trusts, guardianships and powers of attorneys.

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Nancy Ellis is the Office Manager at HCM&M, and began her 44 years with HCM&M as receptionist. She served as Byron Holzfaster's legal secretary for many years, and became the firm's office manager in 1990. Nancy is a member of the Dayton Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators, and attended Miami Jacobs Junior College, Sinclair Community College, Kettering Adult School Business Management Program and various programs and classes through the Dayton Bar Association.

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Jo Ann Gregory is currently a part-time receptionist/administrative assistant and has previously worked in our probate dept. She has been with the firm for over 30 years. A graduate of Stebbins High School, Vocational Steno Program, her education included general office procedures, typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping. In more recent years, she has completed a computer skills course at Greene County Career Center and a basic probate seminar through the Dayton Bar Assn. Married with one son.

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Sue Hyatt has been with the firm for more than 17 years and is currently the assistant to Mr. Balmer and Mr. Hooks. Away from the office, she is active in her church and enjoys reading, needlework and "treasure hunting". She has two adult children and four grandchildren.

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Cathi Leitschuh is a part-time receptionist / administrative assistant / community liaison and has been with the firm for 2 years. She is an NALS Accredited Legal Secretary with 20 years experience as an executive administrative assistant. Married 32 years, her favorite pastime is her family. She and her husband, Dan, have 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren. She loves to cook, read to her grandchildren, and enjoys teaching them how to play musical instruments.

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Linda Miller has been with the firm for over 35 years. Beginning her career as the firm's errand runner, she has served as receptionist, clerk typist, personal secretary and probate assistant. Linda has specialized in the probate area of estates, trusts and guardianships for the past thirty years. Linda has sharpened her skills by completing the Dayton Bar Association Legal Secretary course through Sinclair, as well as numerous seminars and courses relating to office procedures and probate matters. Linda and her husband, Steve, enjoy their passion for pets and both are active volunteers with the non profit group, Miami Valley Pet Therapy Association.

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Melissa is the newest employee to join HCM&M. She graduated from RETS Tech paralegal program with an Associates Degree in Business in 2002. She has broad legal experience having previously worked as a paralegal for a Child Support Enforcement Agency and several well respected law firms in the area. In her spare time, Melissa likes doing cross word puzzles, enjoying the sun and beach and spending time with family and friends.

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Shannon Noren has been working with Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight and Mues as Attorney Anne Shale's Legal Assistant since June of 2005. Prior to that, she worked as a legal assistant for another general practice law firm in Fairborn, Ohio for 7+ years. Shannon enjoys spending quality time with her son, playing mind-challenging games, and constantly learning about "new technology". Shannon enjoys working with clients and providing support to them during difficult times.

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Cornelia Shockey is Mr. Mues' legal assistant handling mostly domestic relations, juvenile and other civil matters. She has a Degree in Legal Assisting from Sinclair Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from Wright State University. She has been with HCM&M for 4-1/2 years. Cornelia is originally from Dayton and in her free time she performs in a German folk dance group with the Dayton Liederkranz Volkstaenzers.

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Tanisha Smith assists Attorneys in the areas of probate, personal injury, wrongful death, and auto accidents. Employed at HCM&M for 9 and 1/2 years. Education: Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio, AAS (Paralegal): 1998.

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Justin Suarez has provided the firm with courier services, and has also served subpoenas and legal process for almost 4 years.

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Jen VonderBrink has been with HCM&M for over 13 years and works as the firm's billing coordinator and asst. office manager. Jen is currently pursuing her business degree at Sinclair Community College.

Jen enjoys reading true-crime novels, solving evil sudoku puzzles and spending time with her husband and two big dogs.

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