Mark Bean - Veterans' Advocate

Mark Bean is a Veterans' Advocate. He provides non-attorney representation before the Department of Veterans' Affairs (the VA) on behalf of disabled military veterans throughout the United States. Mark handles evidence gathering, investigations, interviewing and building case files. Mark maintains direct communication with VA Regional Office and Board of Veterans' Appeals staff who adjudicate the claims and appeals. He obtains copies of VA claim files for their use in claims and appeals. He also gathers medical evidence.

Mark has developed professional relationships with the keepers of military records that are needed in many cases to corroborate combat stressors for a PTSD claim. Mark also locates persons who can provide supporting evidence for VA claims. Mark has successfully located some of these people who have had no contact with our clients for over thirty years. Mark really enjoys seeing Veterans receive their due after faithfully serving their country.

Mark came to Halpern & Oliver, PLLC after ten years with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He was a Representative of the UBC General President in Washington, D.C., working with the National Resource Team throughout the United States and Canada. Mark holds a Bachelors Degree in Labor Studies and Political Economy from The Evergreen State College.

Catrina Christoffer - Office Manager

Catrina began working with Elie Halpern and David Oliver in October 1996. Catrina grew up in Aberdeen, WA and moved to Olympia, WA in 1988. Catrina is our Officer Manger and our human resource manager. Catrina is a favorite of clients and staff for her helpful and calm demeanor and her knowledge of the Social Security process. In between taking care of her three kids, Catrina also has served as de facto Treasurer of the International Trauma & Treatment Program, an Olympia non-profit. Catrina prefers Diet Coke over Diet Pepsi.   

Kathy Fugure – Legal Assistant

Kathy was born and raised in Olympia/Tumwater, and is a proud graduate of Tumwater High School but now is a Black Hills High School booster. Kathy works doing accounting tasks including accounts payable and accounts receivable with Catrina, our Office Manager. Kathy has three wonderful children and extensively volunteers in the community and at her children’s schools. Kathy has been with Halpern & Oliver, PLLC for 8 years. Kathy prefers Diet Pepsi over Diet Coke!!!  

Kabi Gishuru – Legal Assistant

Kabi is currently finishing up her degree in English Literature at Seattle University. Kabi was born and raised in Seattle, and currently enjoys the rent-free luxuries of living in South Seattle with her parents. Kabi is twenty-two years old and plans on attending law school and pursuing a career in some form of public interest law. Kabi is an active member of her church, Victory Outreach, where she sings as a worship leader and choir director. Kabi also serves as a volunteer child advocate for CASA of King County.

Leanne Horn - Paralegal

Leanne was originally from Walla Walla, Washington. Leanne obtained a degree in Biology from Eastern Washington University in 1990 and moved to the Seattle area in 1992.

During her stay in Seattle, Leanne worked for Holland America assisting their sales and marketing team develop national group contracts to major travel consortia throughout the US and Canada. Leanne also assisted groups of medically fragile passengers plan their dream vacations throughout the world.

In 2003, Leanne decided to spend time volunteering in her community. During her work sabbatical, Leanne helped Habitat for Humanity build homes for single mothers, assisted BASH food bank by assembling and delivering food baskets to the needy, advocated for civil rights with ACLU and ABATE of Washington at the state legislature, participated in Moveon.org and political campaigns of Democrats, and volunteered with Volunteer Legal Services in assisting low income clients with civil legal issues.

Recently Leanne completed the Tacoma Community College ABA approved paralegal program in 2007. Leanne joined Halpern & Oliver, PLLC in July 2007.

Jackie was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska.  She married her high school sweetheart, and after a year of marriage, they moved to Davenport Iowa where her husband went to Palmer Collage, a Chiropractic school.  Pat & Jackie had two beautiful red headed daughters along the way.  Their first practices were in Simi Valley and Fillmore California.  After living in the desert for 5 years and living just below Charlie Manson's farm, they decided to move back to God's country (Washington/Alaska).  Jackie has seven grandkids.  She has taken collage courses for many years, having been granted a degree in life.  Jackie is by far the wisest employee and has the reputation for "Knowing It All".

Jennifer Naipo – Legal Assistant

Jenn is one of our newest and youngest employees, joining us in August 2007. Prior thereto she worked for state government for a total of six years, starting there right out of high school. In between state government jobs, Jenn owned her own home-business as a Unit Leader with PartyLite Candles & Gifts, and also ran a small in-home daycare.

Jenn has lived in the Olympia/Lacey area her entire life and hopes to be here forever. She is married to her high school sweetheart, who was also her first grade sweetheart, and they thoroughly love life! The happy couple is very much looking forward to starting a family in the very near future, but until then they treat their two precious kitties like their babies, as well as spending as much time with their niece and nephews as possible!

Some of Jenn’s hobbies include photography, shopping, camping, interior decorating, wedding planning, scrapbooking, making cards, making jewelry, knitting, and spending as much time as she can with her very close family and friends.

Jamie Nervik - Paralegal

Jamie used to be the youngest member of the firm, being hired on as a Legal Assistant at the tender age of 17. Jamie graduated early from North Thurston High School and attended South Puget Sound Community College at night while working at the firm to obtain her Paralegal Degree, graduating very near the top of her class. Jamie continued her education at The Evergreen State College, also attending classes at night, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on June 15, 2007. Jamie will begin the Law Clerk Program in February 2008 under the supervision of Elie Halpern and David P. Oliver. After completion of the four-year program, Jamie will take the Bar Exam and become an attorney herself, practicing Social Security disability law, hopefully with this same firm.

Remi Tanori - Paralegal

Remi obtained his Associates Degree from Centralia College in 2002 and his Bachelor Degree in Law and Justice with an emphasis in Paralegal Studies and a minor in Sociology from Central Washington University in 2006.  Remi also attended Highline Community College in Des Moines, receiving a certificate in their Paralegal certification course.  Remi graduated from each of these institutions while being a single father of a beautiful 4 year old boy by the name of Payton.  Remi aspires to begin Law School within the next year.

Tiffany Tolkmit, Legal Assistant

Tiff is the newest employee of Halpern & Oliver, PLLC, having been born and raised in the warmer, drier climate of California. Tiff moved to the Northwest in 1993 where she has been living happily ever since. Tiff earned her Associate degree from South Puget Sound Community College in 2004 while working full-time at Red Robin.

In 2006 Tiff completed a BA degree with a major in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences and a minor in Human Rights from the University of Washington in Tacoma. After volunteering nearly 300 hours for the Crisis Clinic in Olympia, Tiff realized her passion for advocating for people in crisis. Her specific interest lies in victim advocacy and human rights.

Tiff will shortly begin earning a graduate degree in Social Work or a second BA degree in Human Rights from the University of Washington in Tacoma. Presently the world is her oyster. Fortunately, Tiff prefers Diet Pepsi.