MSJ

Attorneys

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Michael D. Martin

Michael D. Martin is a licensed Texas attorney engaged in the general practice of law and is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate by the Texas Board of Legal Special- ization. He earned his Bachelor of Journalism in 1973 from the University of Texas at Austin, and his J.D. in 1979 from South Texas College of Law. He continued post-graduate studies in Estate Planning at The American University in Bryn Mawhr, PA. He received clinical training in Marriage and Family Systems Therapy, as well as Organizational Dynamics and Consulting, at the Houston-Galveston Institute. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law, and Tax Sections, The Woodlands Bar Associations and the American Bar Association.

Since January of 1991, Michael has provided legal, financial and tax counsel to affluent families with closely held businesses, including tax, trust, estate and financial planning, as well as probate matters. He is licensed to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Tax Court. Michael was counsel of record, along with colleagues Carol Cantrell and Dr. Peter Rubin, in Knight v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 128 S. Ct. 782 (2008), relating to the deductibility of investment advisory fees by trustees of non-grantor trusts. He has published and authored various Continuing Legal Education presentations and is actively engaged in charitable and community activities, including The Woodlands Bar Association's Pro Bono "Wills for Heroes" Project and the Pavilion Partners.

James H. Stilwell

James H. Stilwell is a licensed Texas attorney who handles a wide-range of litigation matters within the practice, including probate, trust and fiduciary litigation; home-owners’ association work; builder and developer litigation; and commercial litigation. James earned his Bachelor of Arts double degree in Economics and Political Science from Baylor University in 1992 and his Juris Doctorate in 1995 from the University of Texas School of Law. In addition to the vast number of Articles, Publications, Briefings, Seminars and Speeches that James has authored and presented, several of the cases in which he was the lead trial lawyer have been published, including In re Estate of Hersey, 223 S.W.3d 457, (Tex.App.—Amarillo, April 25, 2006), Lee v. Hersey, 223 S.W.3d 439, (Tex.App.—Amarillo, March 24, 2006), Paul v. Merrill Lynch Trust Co. of Texas, 183 S.W.3d 805 (Tex.App.—Waco, December 14, 2005), and Parks v. Landfill Marketing Consultants, Inc., 2004 WL 1351545 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.], June 17, 2004).

James serves our profession and community as Vice-President and Director of The Woodlands Bar Association, a Vice-President and Director for the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wildwood United Methodist Church, a Director for Leadership Montgomery County, and as a blood donor and occasional spokesman for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. James was selected by the editors of Texas Monthly Magazine in both 2009 and 2010 as a “Texas Super Lawyer – Rising Star” in the field of “Trust and Estate Litigation.” Both years, he was one of only four attorneys statewide to receive this honor. James also received the 2005 South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award and has participated in The Woodlands Bar Association’s Pro Bono “Wills for Heroes” Project since its inception.

Paige H. Jones

Paige H. Jones focuses her practice on estate planning (wills and trusts) and probate. She offers a personal, caring approach through the probate process and will assist you with formalities of dealing with the probate court. She also routinely serves as an attorney ad litem in guardian- ship and heirship matters in Montgomery County. Paige graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1990. She worked as an accountant in the Houston area for a short period before graduating from South Texas College of Law and joining the State Bar of Texas in 1994. She worked for Arthur Andersen in their tax department for five years before settling back in her hometown in 2000 when she joined the Law Office of Dale A. Dossey in The Woodlands.

Paige is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, The Woodlands Bar Association, and is admitted to practice law in all courts in the State of Texas, United States Tax Court, and United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She has also been actively involved in her community as a member of the City of Oak Ridge North Planning and Zoning Committee from 2004-2005, as an Associate Judge for the city from 2005-2008 and is a current member of the Board of Directors of two non-profit organizations, Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy, a University Model School in The Woodlands and Homes4Good, a foster care and adoption agency in Conroe

Julie Rinker

Julie Rinker, Associate Attorney, joined the Firm in April, 2010. Her primary areas of practice are: probate; estate planning including wills and trusts; litigation; and residential real estate law including homeowners association matters. Julie earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rice University in 1985. While working for Texas Instruments in Dallas in engineering, project management, and marketing positions she earned an M.B.A. from the University of Dallas. After returning home to Houston, Julie worked as a sales engineer for Honeywell and as a self-employed computer analyst. In 2009, Julie graduated from South Texas College of Law with summa cum laude honors. During law school, Julie was a member of the South Texas Law Review and interned with Judge David Hittner, United States District Court, Southern District of Texas and with Judge Fred Edwards, 9th District Court of Texas. She was licensed in the state of Texas in May 2010, after earning the third highest score on the February 2010 bar exam. Julie is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association and The Woodlands Bar Association, and is a member of the Leadership Montgomery County 2011 class.

Staff

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Kim Wade

Kim Wade, Office Manager and Legal Assistant, started as an assistant and paralegal with The Martin Law Firm in August of 2005. In 2006, through her hard work and dedication, Kim became Office Manager for The Martin Law Firm, and has continued in her role since the opening of Martin, Stilwell and Jones, LLP in March of 2009. She presently assists Michael D. Martin in all respects, with regard to Estate Planning, Probate and Business Law matters. Kim is always eager to offer support with research and the preparation of documentation. In addition, she takes an active role in overseeing the operations, including coordination and implementation of Administrative items within the firm.

In 2003, Kim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a heavy concentration on Accounting. Kim is happily married to her husband of eleven years, Allen, and has two beautiful children, Alec and Taylor. Kim is a valuable associate who is always ready to assist others. Her inquisitive nature inspires her to seek knowledge, propelling herself and the firm towards a successful future.

Julie Hormachea

Julie Hormachea, Executive Office Administrator, has worked as an assistant with The Martin Law Firm and now MSJ since July of 2007. She assists the firm with various matters, including the preparation of client documentation, as well as aiding in general office administration matters such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, advertising, travel planning, and event coordination.

Julie was born, raised and currently resides in The Woodlands, Texas with her family. Before joining the firm, Julie had an eight year career in the Insurance Industry. Julie is a member of the Fellowship of The Woodlands Church. She enjoys church related functions and has served as a volunteer in their Nursing Home Ministry.

Kristen Hooper

Kristen Hooper, Legal Assistant, joined the MSJ team just a few weeks after its inception as a Legal Assistant for James H. Stilwell and Paige H. Jones. With more than twelve years of experience as a Certified Legal Secretary and Legal Assistant, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm. Kristen has experience in several areas of law, including litigation, insurance, estate planning and probate. She thrives with each opportunity and is always ready to assist in any area of law or research. What Kristen enjoys most about being on the MSJ team is her direct involvement with each client.

Kristen joins her husband in an active role in The Woodlands community by serving as founding and Lead Pastors of Northstar Church. They have a five-year old daughter and a three-year old son as well as a Miniature and Giant Schnauzer who keep them both very busy.

Kristen Hanson

Kristen Hanson, Receptionist/Office Assistant, is the newest member of the MSJ team. Kristen has experience working at a law firm in her home state of Connecticut, and is looking forward to continuing her education and learning about Texas law procedures. In Connecticut Kristen worked as a Bail Bondsman, successfully working in that field for 10 years, and running her own company. At MSJ, she assists with the daily operations at the office, receiving and routing of phone calls, and providing any support needed to the rest of the staff. Kristen is married to Doug Hanson, a native Texan. They have 2 Jack Russell Terriers. Her true passion is the breeding, raising and training of Arabian horses. Kristen and Doug have begun a small breeding program and are expecting their first foal crop in 2011.