Attorneys

Joseph C. Kempe, Esq., LL.M.

Joseph C. Kempe, Esq., is the principal of the Firm. Though a general practice Firm, Mr. Kempe’s practice is centered on complex estate and business planning. He is double board certified in wills, trusts, and estates and tax law under Florida’s Certification program of specialists. He has held those designations since 1989. He is also rated a preeminent attorney under Martindale Hubbell’s directory of tax law and estate planning attorneys and is rated within Super Lawyers. The Firm’s representative clients include retired Fortune 500 executives, political leaders and their families, entertainers and athletes, international businessmen and women, numerous charities and private foundations, and various multistate businesses.

David C. Tassell, Esq.

Mr. Tassell joined the Firm in the year 2001, from Brookmyer, Hochman, Probst & Tassell, P.A., a Palm Beach Gardens firm, where he was a shareholder. Mr. Tassell maintains a practice focusing in the areas of real estate, both residential and commercial, condominium development, the acquisition and sale of businesses, negotiation and preparation of contracts, and counseling clients concerning various business issues, including the areas of employment, shareholder relations, entity formation, and finance. Mr. Tassell is a title agent for Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund, Inc., and Chicago Title Insurance Company and is President of the title insurance affiliate of the Firm, Counselor’s Title Company.

Marnie Ritchie Poncy, Esq.

Mrs. Poncy joined the Firm in 2011 and heads our Bioethics and Health Care Advocacy Department. Our Bioethics and Health Care Advocacy department offers representation to families, hospitals, trust companies, assisted living facilities, and physicians concerning the legal consequences of health care and end of life decisions. These bioethical decisions have become fraught with legal consequence and conflict, and we have found that legal and medical guidance is often required and very welcome by our clients, their families, their physicians, and health care institutions. At its very basic level, it furthers our ability to help our clients deal with advance directives concerning their health care, assisted living arrangements, and end of life decisions. Most importantly, legal counsel on these subjects secures the clear wishes of our clients and avoids family conflict and potential litigation between family members and health care providers.

Conner R. Kempe, Esq., LL.M.

Mr. Kempe joined us in February, 2017 after completion of his post doctorate studies at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he obtained his LL.M. degree in tax law. While there he completed the paper, Trustee Grant of Power, A Simpler Approach to Modifying GST Exempt Trusts, which is out for publication:

Melissa D. Lazarchick, Esq.

Mrs. Lazarchick is a Jupiter, Florida native and has practiced in Palm Beach County since 2007. She began her career as an associate attorney with the litigation firm, Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard & Tuzzio , which was followed by four years of trial practice with Rosenbaum Mollengarden Janssen & Siracusa. Thereafter she became a partner in Janssen & Siracusa, P.A., where she participated in all phases of diverse litigation and trial practice. Most recently Ms. Lazarchick was a member of the litigation department of Ciklin Lubitz & O’Connell, where her practice focused on probate and trust litigation.

Jesse J Hap, Esq.

Mr. Hap joined the firm in 2020 after practicing in West Palm Beach and holding an internship with the Fourth District Court of Appeals. His practice is focused on residential and commercial real estate; landlord tenant relationships and disputes; condominium and association law and title insurance.

Mr. Hap is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he was a Notes and Comments Editor of the Florida Law Review and an Appellate Advocacy Teaching Assistant. He attended law school after having graduated from Florida State University, Cum Laude, with a degree in Criminology where he was a member of the Dean’s and President’s Lists and the President and Re-Founder of the Pre-Law Society.

Mr. Hap is a native of Palm Beach County, Florida.

Colby Jack Kempe, Esq., LL.M.

Mr. Kempe joined the firm in 2021 after completion of his post doctorate studies in tax law at the nationally 3^rd ranked University of Florida, Levin College of Law, Tax Law Program, where he received his LL.M., degree with honors. While there he completed his post graduate paper, The Use of Powers of Appointment to Achieve a Stepped-Up Basis on the Death of a Trust Beneficiary (including a Grantor), which focuses on estate planning utilizing powers of appointment and how they may be added into irrevocable trusts.

Using Powers of Appointment to Achieve a Stepped Up Basis

A graduate of Ave Maria School of Law, with honors, in 2020 and Tufts University with a B.A, degree in American History in 2017, Mr. Kempe was also a member of the Tufts University 2014 and 2015 NCAA National Championship lacrosse teams. Prior to Tufts, Mr. Kempe was a High School All American member of two state championship lacrosse teams, at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Upon graduating from Tufts and before attending Ave Maria Law, Mr. Kempe attended the Tuck School of Business Bridge Program, at Dartmouth College, which is an immersion program into international business, finance, and investment banking. He also served as a Congressional intern to Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-17) in Washington, D.C., during the Summer of 2016.

Mr. Kempe will serve our clients as a member of our Business, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Wealth Management Departments, where his background will further deepen the Firm’s tax law, business, and estate planning expertise.

Sonya Mochegova, JD

Ms. Mochegova joined us in 2016 from the Durham, NC law firm of Stubbs, Cole, Breedlove, Prentis & Briggs, where she was an associate attorney in the real estate, estate planning and administration departments of the firm. Prior to her practice there, she was a legal extern with the United States Attorney’s Office. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, Ms. Mochegova joins our Estate Planning, Administration and Wealth Management Departments.

Ms. Mochegova obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts in Molecular and Cell Biology with Honors, from the University of California at Berkeley.

Practicing Alliance Attorneys

The following attorneys presently hold a strategic practicing alliance with the Firm for specialized matters not otherwise handled by the Firm:

William Lazarchick, Jr.

Mr. Lazarchick Jr. practices in all areas of family law (both contested and uncontested) involving time sharing issues regarding children, identification and valuation of assets and liabilities, alimony, child support, domestic violence, paternity, jurisdictional issues, appellate matters, post Final Judgment modification proceedings, Marital Settlement Agreements, and Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements.

Mr. Lazarchick received his undergraduate degree, Cum Laude, in Psychology from the University of Florida. Upon graduation from the University of Florida, he worked at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, located in Baltimore, Maryland and specialized in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities who had severe behavior problems. Mr. Lazarchick graduated from Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad Law Center in 2006. While in law school he participated in NSU’s Children and Families Clinic becoming authorized as a Certified Legal Intern (CLI) where he gained extensive litigation experience with an emphasis on assisting the economically disadvantaged in the area of marital and family law. Upon graduation from law school he began his legal career working at a boutique family law firm, in West Palm Beach, Florida, handling all matters related to marital and family law from inception to trial. The boutique family law firm merged with a national law firm where he continued to handle all issues related to marital and family law.

Mr. Lazarchick assisted in forming and has served as the President of Palm Beach’s First Family Law Inn of Court recognizing that legal skills and the preservation of the highest standards of excellence in professionalism, ethics, and civility are essential to achieving justice under the Rule of Law. As a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, he has served in numerous leadership positions including Co-Chairing the Palm Beach County Bar Associations Bench Bar Conference (the associations largest event hosting and educating 1,300 Judges, Lawyers, and other legal professionals) and Chairing the Judicial Relations Committee. He has also been selected as a Super Lawyer “Rising Star”, in the area of marital and family law, whose selection process ensures that no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in Florida are name “Rising Star.”

CPAs, Tax Accountants and Analysts

The Firm offers legal representation in state and federal tax disputes, income and estate tax planning, and tax planning related to business operations. Our legal representation is supported by an experienced tax accounting department, which offers our clients not only assistance with tax planning in conjunction with our attorneys, but also assistance with budgeting, tax planning, and state and federal tax compliance and reporting.

Benjamin M. Devlen, CPA

Mr. Devlen is a member of our Tax Accounting and Wealth Management Departments. Prior to joining us, he was a senior associate with WTAS, LLC (formerly Arthur Andersen) in West Palm Beach, where he gained substantial experience in federal and state tax compliance and investment consulting and reporting. He was also a mentor at WTAS, where he trained and developed staff and interns. Prior to joining WTAS, Mr. Devlen interned with the Multistate Tax Commission in Washington, D.C. He was also responsible for coaching financial wellness for the executives of a large public company. While with the Firm, Mr. Devlen has been focused on client income and estate tax planning; overall integration of client wealth management; state and federal fiduciary tax compliance; and estate and gift tax planning and compliance.

Chris G. Bordeau, CPA

Mr. Bourdeau is a member of our Tax Compliance Department. Mr. Bordeau holds a B.A. degree in Accounting from the Florida Atlantic University. He was previously with Wieseneck, Andres & Co. His background lies in federal and state, corporate, individual, partnership and fiduciary tax preparation compilation, and review. Mr. Bourdeau is a licensed certified public accountant by the State of Florida and is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Bourdeau served in the Gulf War, Operation Desert Shield, in 1990 on the aircraft carrier USS Independence.

Mike Posten II, CPA

Mr. Posten is a graduate of the University of Florida Fisher School of Accounting with both a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Mr. Posten joins us from the Stuart, Florida firm of Proctor, Crook, Crowder & Fogal, where he was a Tax Manager. Prior to his practice there, Mr. Posten was a Senior Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, in Miami, Florida, where he was responsible for the supervision of associate accountants. He began his career with WTAS LLC (formerly Arthur Andersen) in West Palm Beach.

Mr. Posten is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce, and the Stuart/Martin County LEADERship Alumni.

Denise Alpert, CPA

Denise B. Alpert, CPA, joins our Income, Gift and Estate Planning Department from the Palm Beach Gardens firm of LKD CPAs & Consultants, where she practiced since 2005. Prior to then, Ms. Alpert gained considerable experience in a broad range of tax planning for individuals and business at the national and international firms of Deloitte & Touche and Marcum LLP, where she was a Tax Manager. She also gained valuable experience with Tyco International (Sensormatic Electronics Corp) as a senior financial analyst.

Ms. Alpert holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), and a Bachelor of Science (BS), Magna Cum Laude, from Barry University. She grew up in the same areas of Miami where Mr. Kempe was raised and have many common friends from the Miami area. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Owen Bradley, CPA

Owen N. Bradley, CPA – Mr. Bradley joins us from the international accounting firm, Deloitte Tax, LLP, where he was a member of their Business Tax Services department, specializing in private wealth and private equity. A graduate of Auburn University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration with major in Accounting, Mr. Bradley has focused his practice on IRS audits, strategic tax planning, and tax compliance for corporations, partnerships, individuals, and trusts.

Mr. Bradley was a team leader for the Alabama Army National Guard and received an Army Commendation Medal and Combat Infantry Badge during his deployment to Afghanistan, where he was an Infantry Specialist.

Mr. Bradley is a member of our tax compliance, planning, and wealth management departments.

Peter Crane, CPA

Mr. Crane is a graduate of the University of Florida, cum laude. Mr. Crane began his professional career as a Senior Tax Associate with the international accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP in St. Louis, Missouri. At PwC he focused on individual, corporate, and partnership tax compliance and planning. Considering Florida home, he returned where he was an International Tax Senior with the global technology and business service provider, Syniverse, at their headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Most recently, Mr. Crane was a Tax Senior with Crippen & Company, in Ocala, Florida, where he focused on individual tax planning and he gained valuable experience providing tax compliance, planning, and accounting services to clients in the equine industry. He has also represented and defended equine businesses subject to IRS examinations.

Maureen Lloyd Rigaudon

Ms. Rigaudon joined the firm in August 2005 as a member of our Tax Accounting and Wealth Management Departments. Mrs. Rigaudon has been focused on federal and state tax compliance, client income and estate tax planning, Advent Axys® reporting, and bill paying services. Prior to joining us, she spent five years as a staff accountant with Fulbright & Fulbright, CPA, PA in Durham, North Carolina. Mrs. Rigaudon gained experience in federal and state tax, corporate, individual, and partnership tax preparation compilation. She was also responsible for training newly business owners how to effectively use the QuickBooks Pro® program. Mrs. Rigaudon holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting & Finance from the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Aaron Flood

Mr. Flood joined the firm in August 2010 as member of our Wealth Management Department. Mr. Flood holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Belmont Abbey College, where he was a member of the varsity lacrosse team. Prior to joining the Firm he was with M&T Bank, f/n/a Provident Bank, of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Flood participates in economic and investment performance analysis and, in conjunction with the Firm’s certified public accountants, provides screening and reporting of client investment performance. He also has a passion for lacrosse and spends his free time coaching for the Benjamin School, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Michael Kramer

Mr. Kramer is a member of the firms Fiduciary and Wealth Management Departments. Mr. Kramer holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Accounting. Prior to joining the Firm he was with Deloitte Tax in their Pennsylvania office as well as several Accounting and Tax Firms. Mr. Kramer reconciles economic and investment performance analysis and, in conjunction with the Firm’s certified public accountants, provides screening and reporting of client investment performance. Mr. Kramer also assists in our fiduciary services and client bookkeeping and bill-pay areas.

Legal Assistants and Paralegals

Alison Overton

Ms. Overton is a 1996 graduate of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro where she obtained her Bachelors Degree with a double major in Psychology and Classic Civilization. Ms. Overton came to us in 1998 having worked in both advertising and banking. After 6 years with the firm she went on hiatus to start a family. She returned to us in 2014 and is an integral member of our Estate Planning Department.

Teagan Chandler

Ms. Chandler works as an estate planning paralegal. She is a native to the Jupiter area.

Donna Baummier

Mrs. Baummier has dedicated most of her time within the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach areas, starting out with Keane, Murphy & Hough in Stuart, FL, then to our firm where was employed with us 8 years. Donna ventured out and worked with Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs in WPB, and made her way back to us in 2014. Donna plans to retire with our firm.

Laura Urbina

Ms. Urbina – is a member of our Estate Planning team. She joined us after having spent several years in a law firm in South Florida handling Estate Planning and Probate Administration. She is fluent in Spanish and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice.

Grace Legner

Ms. Legner works in our Estate Planning Department as the new client Coordinator.

Our Professionals