Varvara M Gokea, Attorney
After assisting with a lengthy probate and the guardianship issues following the untimely death due to cancer of a dear friend, Varvara M. Gokea decided to continue helping families nominate guardianships for their minor children and create effective estate plans designed to reduce taxes while minimizing interference from the
courts when families transfer assets to their loved ones.
After fifteen years representing clients in immigration matters, Ms. Gokea added Estate Planning to her practice to provide families the peace of mind that comes from having an estate plan in place.
Today, the firm provides families with assistance in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate and Administration of Estates. Recently, VM Gokea Law Group added Business Planning to its portfolio of client services.
Rienzi Patrick Gokea, Community Relations Coordinator
As Community Relations Coordinator for VM Gokea Law, Rienzi, uses innovative methods to communicate with the public, our professional affiliates, and most importantly, our clients. Rienzi has been involved in client relations and marketing since his sophomore year at Columbia University where he majors in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Also, Rienzi is responsible for our automation and electronic communications. He has pursued a number of entrepreneurial ventures being the CEO of Energize Laboratories, learning that marketing begins with a solid relationship with your clients.
Rienzi was born, bred, and educated in New York City and a member of the NCAA Champions – Columbia Fencing Team. He’s a saber fencer since 12 years old, Nationally ranked and proudly has represented the United States at International Fencing World Cups.
Laney Lyons-Richardson, Plan Drafting Coordinator
Laney has over 15 years experience in the estate planning industry. After managing an estate planning law firm for 12 years, she continued on to train law firm teams across the country in estate planning processes, hiring and team building. In addition, she co-authored Don’t Be a Yes Chick and is the co-founder of The Ultimate Smart Solution, LLC teaching team members how to support an entrepreneur. She now coordinates and manages the plan drafting process for the firm.
Bari Vallas, Trust Funding Coordinator
Since 2005 (and after 20 years as a practicing attorney and civil litigator), Bari has been developing expertise in trust funding by working with estate planning attorneys and their clients across the United States. Now, as Funding Coordinator for the firm, Bari helps review and organize clients’ asset information, and she works closely with Marc and his clients to ensure that their trusts are properly funded so their estate plans will work as intended when the time comes.