Our Team

Brian S. Harnik*
ATTORNEY AT LAW
*Professional Corporation

A trial lawyer for more than 35 years, Senior Partner Brian Harnik is an aggressive and successful advocate in both civil litigation and general business law. He handles disputes on behalf of defendants, plaintiffs, and as a neutral mediator and arbitrator. He also advocates for clients before various government entities.

MORE

Helene P. Dreyer Koch*
ATTORNEY AT LAW
*Certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization (Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law)

Helene P. Dreyer Koch is a member of American Mensa, Ltd. and has been practicing law in California since 1992. She is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in the areas of estate planning, trusts and probate law. She has vast experience with complicated appellate matters, and has earned a reputation as an exceptional legal writer.

MORE

Richard A. Umbenhauer*
ATTORNEY AT LAW
*Of Counsel

Having practiced law for over 40 years, Richard Umbenhauer has a broad range of experience in business, real estate and insolvency law. He is a former member of the Pennsylvania Bar and is currently admitted to practice in California. Mr. Umbenhauer is also a licensed California real estate broker.

MORE

Mary E. Gilstrap
ATTORNEY AT LAW

Mary Gilstrap has been practicing business litigation for more than 25 years. She represents private entity clients in a variety of business-related disputes, including contracts, real estate transactions, corporate acquisitions and other corporate disputes; agribusiness and media law. She also handles contested matters in the probate courts, including wills, trusts and conservatorships.

MORE

Andrew G. Montez
ATTORNEY AT LAW

Andrew Montez has practiced law for 5 years in Southern California. He represents a wide variety of business clients in complex litigation matters, corporate formation, real property disputes, and much more. In addition to guiding clients through an array of transactional and litigation-focused matters, Mr. Montez counsels clients on pre-litigation activities to achieve successful outcomes before entering the courtroom.

MORE

Jolina A. Adams, JD, LL.M
PARALEGAL

Jolina was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to California in 2007. A Juris Doctor, she began her legal career in 2009, and has a Master of Laws with a certificate in Business Law (LL.M.) from the University of Southern California, 2017. For over 14 years, Jolina has worked for firms in the areas of civil and business law, family law, real estate, and trusts and estates.

Veronica Montes
LEGAL SECRETARY

Veronica Montes has served the firm for over 13 years as a legal assistant performing administrative support to the attorneys, communicating with clients and more. Her primary focus is assisting with wills, trusts, and estate planning. Her bubbly personality and skill sets make her a valuable asset to the firm.

Skylene Tobiassen
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Skylene is an administrative assistant with Roemer & Harnik, providing support to clients and assisting with case management. Skylene performs administrative tasks to support the attorneys and legal assistants.

Genevieve Stone
RECEPTIONIST

Genevieve is the first face you see at Roemer & Harnik as the firm’s receptionist. Always eager to learn and help others, Genevieve greets visitors and clients, and provides the attorneys and staff with administrative services support.