Attorney at Law

Ermin Ciric

Ermin Ciric (EC) is a Senior Partner. He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Green River Community College, Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Washington, and his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law. Mr. Ciric has been with the firm in various positions since August 2010. Mr. Ciric started at the firm as a legal assistant working on various estate accountings, preparation of reports, and assisting with legal research under Counsel Michael Regeimbal and Robert McDonald (founding partners of the firm). Mr. Ciric then transitioned to a litigation assistant working directly under Counsel Saphronia R. Young (lead litigation counsel at the firm at the time) in developing extensive pre-trial experience, particularly in discovery, and trial experience in various construction, partnership, and TEDRA/estate disputes.  

Mr. Ciric became an Associate Attorney at the firm shortly after graduating law school and then became partner in January 2020. His primary areas of focus are elder law, partnership disputes, committed intimate relationship claims, construction, real estate and contracts, guardianships/conservatorships, probates, Vulnerable Adult Protection Act actions, Trust Estate Dispute Resolution Act actions, and DSHS administrative/appeal hearings including defense of abuse and/or exploitation claims. Mr. Ciric has both transactional as well as litigation/trial experience in these areas and has participated in numerous successful mediations/settlements related to such.  

One such case example is Petlig v. Est. of Webb by & through Webb, No. 84007-0-I, 2023 WL 5198290, at *1 (Wash. Ct. App. Aug. 14, 2023), review denied sub nom. Petlig v. Est. of Webb, No. 102371-5, 2024 WL 48985 (Wash. Jan. 3, 2024) where Mr. Ciric successfully litigated a claim in an estate for an elder client who was rendered homeless by her daughter after her committed intimate partner of 30+ years died. The claim was litigated through trial, appeal, and ultimately led to imposition of a constructive trust in favor of the elder client. 

Mr. Ciric has also represented and continues to represent many lay guardians/conservators, certified professional guardians/conservators, trustees, other fiduciaries, and facilities in both contested and uncontested estate matters. Mr. Ciric undertakes the yearly Title 11 Adult Guardianship GAL/Court Visitor Training and is Certified as a GAL/CV. Additionally, Mr. Ciric is licensed to practice law in the US District Court, Western District of Washington and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Another case example is Copeland v. Nair, No. 2:23-CV-00190-RAJ, 2023 WL 4492335, at *2 (W.D. Wash. June 7, 2023), reconsideration denied, No. 2:23-CV-00190-RAJ, 2023 WL 7329279 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 7, 2023); In re Guardianship of Thankamma, 198 Wash. 2d 1024, 497 P.3d 374 (2021), where Mr. Ciric represented a Certified Professional Guardian and Conservator through various contested proceedings including a TEDRA, multiple VAPAs, multiple appeals, multiple federal removal actions, an ancillary bankruptcy, appointment of a referee, a receivership, and a reindex from guardianship/conservatorship to a probate. 

Mr. Ciric takes great pride in having spent his entire legal career at Des Moines Elder Law. Since becoming an attorney with the firm, Mr. Ciric provides free legal advocacy through the Des Moines Senior Center for elder and low-income clients every month. He also routinely presents at various facility and WSBA CLE sessions as to cases or issues in the areas of focus described above. Mr. Ciric’s goal in representing any client is to leave them in a better position than when engaged – this starts with competent and cost-effective representation.

Education

Seattle University School of Law 
Juris Doctor in Law, 2017

Graduate University of Washington 
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, 2012

Graduate Green River Community College 
Associates of Arts Degree, 2010

Attorney at Law

Jerrica Pierson Seeger

Jerrica Pierson Seeger (JPS) is a Senior Partner. She joined Des Moines Elder Law in November of 2019. Her practice consists of customized estate and wealth preservation, asset protection planning, public benefit planning, special needs trust administration, disability planning, special education development, business entity formation and succession planning, and the administration of probates, estates, and trusts. Ms. Seeger is licensed to practice law in Washington and Oregon and is also a certified attorney for Veterans Affairs. Ms. Seeger attended the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International-Political-Economy, and a minor in German. She then obtained a joint Juris Doctor/MBA degree from Willamette University College of Law and Atkinson’s School of Business in Salem, Oregon. Ms. Seeger is a member of the Estate Planning Council of South King County and the WSBA Elder Law section. She is also a board member for the Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA). In her free time, Ms. Seeger enjoys reading, hiking, playing soccer, and spending time with her family.

Education

Willamette University College of Law
Juris Doctor in Law, 2009

Willamette University Atkinsons Graduate School of Management
Masters of Business Administration, 2009

University of Washington 
Bachelor of Arts in International Political Economy, with minor in German Linguistics, 2004

Highline Community College 
Associates of Arts Degree in Communications, 2000

Activities & Affiliations

• Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Board of Directors

• Veterans Affairs Accredited  

• Community education presentations for asset preservation, wealth management and special needs planning

• King County Bar Association

• South King County Estate Planning Council

Bar Admissions

• Washington State Bar Association

• Oregon State Bar Association

Practice Areas

• Estate Planning, specializing in Tax Considerations

• Medicaid and VA Benefit Planning

• Special Needs Trust Creation and Administration

• Real Estate

• Corporations

• General Counsel

• Post Death Administration

• Fiduciary Advocacy and Guidance

• Guardianship

Attorney at Law

Holly A. Surface

Holly Surface (HAS) is a Junior Partner primarily focusing on appellate work, real property litigation, trust and estate disputes, and protection of vulnerable adults. She graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law in December 2021. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphasis in Financial Management and Real Estate from Colorado State University, as well as a Paralegal Certificate from Highline Community College. 

In addition to representing fiduciaries as an attorney, Ms. Surface has served in many roles as a court appointed fiduciary herself. Formerly a Certified Professional Guardian, Ms. Surface was the founder and former director of Abacus Guardianship, Inc., a Washington Certified Professional Guardianship Agency. As a court-appointed fiduciary for over ten years, Ms. Surface has extensive experience in complex case management. For individuals under guardianship, this includes health and personal care management, financial management and asset recovery, and regular access to the legal system to assert and protect the rights of individuals with limited legal capacity.

Additionally, Ms. Surface founded and formerly directed Abacus Fiduciary Association, a Washington nonprofit corporation acting as court appointed trustee and estate administrator. Ms. Surface has extensive experience in the probate and trust arena, both as an attorney with knowledge of the law of trusts and estates in the State of Washington, and as a fiduciary with the actual practice of trust and estate administration. She has routinely managed estates and trusts following removal of a prior fiduciary.

Ms. Surface worked as a paralegal to Counsel Young for two years while finishing law school. As an attorney, Ms. Surface has had success in TEDRA matters, vulnerable adult protection actions, real property matters, and related appellate matters.  

Education

Seattle University School of Law
Juris Doctor in Law, 2021

Colorado State University 
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with emphasis in financial management and real estate, 1993

Highline Community College 
Paralegal Plus Certificate, 2008

Bar Admissions

Washington State Bar Association

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation

• Real Estate

• Appellate Practice

• Elder Law

• Trusts and Estates

• Probate

• Estate Planning

• Fiduciary Advocacy and Guidance

• Guardianship and Conservatorship

• Corporations

• General Counsel

Our team is here to help you in any way we can.

TERESA SCHULTZ

Teresa Schultz (TAS) is the Office Manager, Human Resource Manager, and handles the Firm’s Accounts Payable and Receivable. She has over 20 years of client billing, staff support, accounts payable, payroll, customer service, and bookkeeping experience. She has been with the Firm since December 1999.

ASHLEY CATLETT

Ashley Catlett (AAC) is a Certified Paralegal and the Lead Paralegal overseeing the operations of the Firm’s various departments. Ms. Catlett has played a key role in the development of processes and procedures for the Firm’s fiduciary division, A.M. Fiduciary Services. Ms. Catlett has experience in forensic accountings, TEDRA Actions, comprehensive trust funding and asset transfers, establishment of ABLE Accounts, real estate transactions, complex family dynamics in a fiduciary setting, administration of life insurance trusts, special needs trusts, and public benefit coordination. She graduated from Highline College with an Associate of Applied Science Degree and Paralegal Certificate and has attended numerous CLE’s related to the Firm’s practice areas. She has been with the Firm since August 2010.

Nicole M. Jacobs

Nicole M. Jacobs (NMJ) is a Certified Paralegal. She graduated from Highline College with an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. She works with both Certified Professional Guardianship Agencies and Lay Guardians. She has been with the Firm since August 2014.

Tamara J. Reed

Tamara J. Reed (TJS) is an Administrative Assistant and provides assistance with the Firm’s bookkeeping and payroll services. She is currently enrolled at the University of Washington obtaining her business accounting degree. She has been with the Firm since January 2017.

michelle G. branstetter

Michelle G. Branstetter (MGB) is a Legal Assistant and the Firm’s Public Benefits Coordinator, working primarily on Lay Guardianship matters. She has previous experience working in a Guardianship Agency. She has been with the Firm since May 2019.

erin N. harrison

Erin N. Harrison (ENH) is a Certified Paralegal and Lead Guardianship Paralegal, primarily managing the Certified Professional Guardian Department. She has experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer (CASA) in Houston, Texas. She received an Associate degree in Business from Highline Community College and obtained her Paralegal Certificate from Lonestar College in Texas. She has been with the Firm since January 2020.

NATALIA D. FEDOROVA

Natalia D. Fedorova (NDF) is a Certified Paralegal and Lead Probate Paralegal. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master's Degree in law from Saint-Petersburg State University (Russia) and is fluent in Russian and Ukrainian. She also has two years of professional legal experience in a foreign jurisdiction. She holds a Paralegal Certificate from the University of Washington and has been with the Firm since July 2020.

JANIS W. KIPP

Janis W. Kipp (JWK) is a Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) in Family Law and a PACE Registered Paralegal. She is the Lead Estate Planning Paralegal and manages complex trust and estate planning. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Portland State University, a Paralegal Certificate from Pima Community College, a LLLT Certificate from the University of Washington, and has passed the Washington State LLLT bar exam. She has been with the Firm since October 2020.

Elias M. Surface

Elias M. Surface (EMS) is a Certified Paralegal working in the litigation department. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Washington University and a Paralegal Certificate from Highline Community College. He has additional certifications in Industrial Psychology and Technical Communication. In addition to his time spent volunteering with the King County Housing Justice Project, he has previous experience working with a certified professional guardianship agency and as a trust and estate administrator for a nonprofit agency. He has been with the Firm since February 2022. 

SARA R. THOMPSON

Sara R. Thompson (SRT) is a Legal Assistant working primarily on Veterans Affairs Benefits, Medicaid applications and appeals, and corporation and trust matters. She is currently enrolled at Cape Fear Community College pursuing a degree in paralegal studies. Her prior experience includes working with families in the Foster Care System and assisting with Veterans Affairs applications. She has been with the Firm since March 2022.

Scott R. Ensminger

Scott R. Ensminger (SRE) is a Certified Paralegal and is the Lead Litigation paralegal. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Philosophy from Western Washington University and a Paralegal Certificate from Highline Community College. His legal background includes work in Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, and Civil Rights. He has been with the Firm since October 2022. 

Angelica D. Ramirez 

Angelica D. Ramirez (ADR) is a Legal Assistant primarily working in the Guardianship and Probate Departments. She graduated from El Camino College and holds Associate of Arts Degrees in Political Science, Social Behavioral Science and Music. Her prior law firm experience includes workers compensation and disability benefits. She has been with the Firm since April 2023. 

Maya J. Clark 

Maya J. Clark (MJC) is a Legal Assistant in the Estate Planning and Probate Departments. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Oregon. She has been with the Firm since August 2023. 

Brianne T. Calder

Brianne T. Calder (BTC) is an Administrative Assistant and manages the front office. She holds an Associate of Arts Degree from Green River Community College. She is fluent in American Sign Language and has been with the Firm since August 2023.

Vanessa M. Brimhall 

Vanessa M. Brimhall (VMB) is a Paralegal primarily working in the Litigation, Probate, and Guardianship Departments. She graduated through the Business & Law Accelerated Degree Program at Seattle University School of Law and Albers School of Business and Economics with her Juris Doctor and her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She is currently preparing to take the Washington State Bar Exam in 2025. Her prior legal experience includes being a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern in a Public Defender Clinic, a Rule 9 Licensed Legal Intern with the Firm, as well as previously working for Des Moines Elder Law as a Paralegal from 2020-2022. She was a member of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice Editorial Board during her 3L year in law school in addition to authoring her own published article for the law review in 2021. She has been back with the Firm since August 2023.

Maria C. Maijala (MCM)

Maria C. Maijala (MCM) is a Legal Assistant providing general support in all departments. She has an Associate of Arts Degree in Business with an emphasis on Accounting from Highline Community College. She is fluent in Spanish and has been with the Firm since March 2024. 

Alastor P. Dent

Alastor P. Dent (APD) is a Legal Assistant primarily working in the Guardianship Department. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Philosophy from the University of Oregon. He has a prior legal background working in collections and state court litigation. He has been with the Firm since May 2024.  

Sareana T. Farnam

Sareana T. Farnam (STF) is a Certified Paralegal primarily working in the Probate Department. She graduated from Highline Community College with an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. She has been with the Firm since July 2024.

Nichole V. Beal

Nichole V. Beal (NVB) is a Legal Assistant providing support in the Estate Planning and Litigation Departments. Her prior experience includes working with bankruptcy law, specializing in real property. She has been with the firm since November 2024.   

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