MEET THE MCKENZIE MENA TEAM
Our attorneys have represented both homeowners and associations as well as homebuilders, developers, contractors, and insurance companies. It’s this 360˚ experience that provides a formidable advantage in settlement negotiation and trial. The partners at McKenzie Mena have more than 22 years of experience in construction defect litigation.
Named Partners
CASS MCKENZIE
As the founding and managing partner of the firm, Cass has been on the forefront of advocating for property owners’ rights for the last 25 years. Cass has successfully represented thousands of homeowners and associations in complex multi-million-dollar construction defect actions, authored legislation preserving property owners’ legal rights, and speaks regularly on a national level advocating homeowners’ rights in construction defect litigation.
ALLAN R. MENA
Allan has extensive experience in construction defect litigation representing contractors, homeowners and homeowner associations. He has also been recognized by the “Super Lawyers” magazine as a “Rising Star” from 2009 – 2014 in the construction defect field. He is indeed a star among construction defect attorneys, which is how he found a home here at McKenzie & Mena.
Allan also presents seminars on construction defect topics to various audiences.
Partners
JOSH FITZPATRICK
Joshua Fitzpatrick is a partner in McKenzie Mena’s Colorado office. Joshua joined the firm in 2011 after completing a clerkship in Colorado’s 18th Judicial District. Joshua’s practice focuses on representing homeowner associations in construction defect, defective product, and bad faith insurance matters in both Colorado and Texas.
Joshua takes pride in helping homeowners navigate the legal process. Since joining the firm, Joshua has assisted thousands of homeowners in obtaining favorable outcomes through settlement, arbitration, and trial. Joshua also regularly presents at seminars related to homeowner rights and advocacy.
TOM DEVINE
Tom has been practicing as a construction defect attorney since 2004, representing clients in every phase of a construction defect claim – from pre-suit advice to mediation and through arbitration and trial. Tom’s experience representing general contractors and developers, and their insurance companies, gives Tom valuable insight in representing homeowners and associations in pursuing their construction defect claims. Tom has been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer Rising Star since 2008.
Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell since 2013 – the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards, and in 2017 was selected as one of the Best Lawyers In America in construction law. Tom also presents at seminars concerning construction and insurance related topics.
KEITH HOAGLAND
Keith joined McKenzie Mena in 2007 while still in law school and has been with the firm ever since. Keith has represented numerous homeowners and homeowner associations in both litigation and arbitration and has successfully negotiated many settlements for his clients, both with and without litigation. Keith also devotes much of his time to public education on the rights of property owners.
PENNY MANSHIP
Penny has devoted her career to representing plaintiffs in construction defect and class action cases. She has successfully represented hundreds of homeowners and homeowners associations in construction defect claims. In addition, she has effectively resolved several class action cases involving product defects and consumer fraud claims for the benefit of thousands of homeowners and consumers.
Ms. Manship has prevailed on several appeals on behalf of her clients on issues impacting their legal rights and remedies, including defeating arbitration clauses in home purchase agreements and protecting consumers’ rights to bring class actions.
Ms. Manship graduated from UCLA School of Law and was admitted to practice in the State of California in 1998. She is also licensed to practice in the States of Colorado, Arizona, and Montana.
Attorneys
NICOLE SORIA
Associate Attorney
Nicole joined McKenzie Mena’s Carlsbad, California office in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Soria was employed as In-House Counsel for the North American branch of a multi-billion-dollar European company. While waiting for her California Bar Exam results, Nicole was selected for a prestigious Graduate Law Clerk position at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Nicole was assigned to the Family Protection Unit and appeared in court on over 160 cases.
Ms. Soria graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2020 where she graduated valedictorian of her class, served as the Executive Editor and Managing Board Member of the Thomas Jefferson Law Review, was the recipient of a 100% full-tuition scholarship for exceptional academic performance, and received CALI and Witkin awards for academic excellence in Federal Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Scholarly Legal Writing, Community Property, Client Interviewing and Counseling, and Lawyering Skills. Prior to attending law school, Nicole earned her Master of Business Administration degree from California State University where she was President of her class and received the MBA Leadership and Service Award.
Nicole’s proudest professional accomplishment is serving as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps from 2008-2012. Ms. Soria served as a Female-Engagement-Team Leader for the II Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF). This was the first all-female team of Marines from II MEF to deploy into a combat zone fully embedded with Marine Corps infantry battalions. Nicole was deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan in 2011 where she served as the Advisor to Battalion Commanders on cross-cultural engagement relating to Afghani women and children and on related tactics to shape international relations for the future. Additionally, Nicole developed a Female-Search-Team program that prepared female Marines for specialized security operations.
Ms. Soria spends most of her free time with her three children who insist on going to Legoland almost every weekend. Nicole is also a competitive swimmer and triathlete. The best part of racing for Nicole is seeing her kids cheering for her at the finish line of her races.
JOSHUA RAYGOR
Joshua joined McKenzie Mena’s Houston, Texas, office in 2023. Mr. Raygor graduated from Texas A&M University in 2009 with a B.B.A. in Business Management. He continued his education at South Texas College of Law Houston, graduating in December 2012. Upon graduation, Mr. Raygor began his career as a prosecutor, most recently serving in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office’s Homicide Division.
As a highly experienced trial lawyer, Joshua handled capital murders from investigation and filing of cases to jury verdict. In his last year alone at the District Attorney’s Office, Joshua obtained guilty verdicts in six capital murder trials. Few attorneys can match Joshua’s experience level and results when presenting cases to juries. After spending a decade of his life dedicated to serving the citizens of Harris County, Joshua is ready to utilize the skills and talents he has developed to help homeowners and associations navigate their legal troubles.
Paralegals
LISA LABRE
Lisa has decades of experience as a litigation paralegal in the construction defect field. Lisa joined McKenzie Mena in April 2000 and has valuable experience in handling complex construction defect cases in Colorado, California, and Texas, having attended or prepared for over 30 trials and arbitrations. Lisa graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science.
ALICIA CABALLERO
Alicia graduated from Baylor University with a B.A. degree in Political Science and went on to obtain her paralegal certification through the University of Houston. Since then, Alicia has worked as a paralegal for nearly ten years with an emphasis in civil litigation. Prior to joining McKenzie Mena in early 2022, Alicia worked in different areas of the law, bringing with her a solid framework in handling cases from inception through trial. Alicia’s analytical skills, attention to detail, and her ability to multi-task, have all been the foundation to her success as a paralegal.
When she’s not at the office, Alicia can be found spending time with her partner and fur babies, supporting her favorite sports teams, and exploring the diverse city of Houston, Texas.
MICAELA JOHNSON
Micaela Johnson joined McKenzie Mena as a Paralegal in September 2023. Micaela has a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from the University of Houston Clear Lake and a Paralegal Certification from Rice University.
Micaela loves speaking her mind and standing up for what she believes in, which has helped in her 5+ years in litigation. Through the years, she has helped clients with civil rights and personal injury claims.
When Micaela is not at work, she spends time with her Shiba Inus, Aiko and Hanako. Micaela is a sailor and loves to sew. She loves crafting, reading non-fiction and spending time with her family and best friend.
Favorite Quote: ''I must study politics and war so that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain." - President John Adams
MICHELLE VALDEZ
Michelle joined McKenzie Mena in 2022. Prior to joining our team, Michelle founded and managed a construction company for 10 years with her spouse of 25 years. This experience brings a unique knowledge of the construction industry and has allowed Michelle to transition into a paralegal for construction defect law by utilizing her excellent work ethic, organizational skills, and project management experience to support the attorneys she works with.
Michelle graduated from California Lutheran University with a B.S. in Psychology and received her paralegal studies certificate from California State University, San Marcos. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, paddleboarding, spending time outdoors and spending time with her husband, two adult children and her dogs.
Client Services
JEFF HIGGINS
Jeff is a well respected and accomplished entrepreneur with 27 years of start up and turn-around experience. With a focus on helping organizations enhance quality and optimize efficiency, he has achieved success in General Management, Sales & Marketing, Business Development, Operations, Training, and Consulting Services.
Serving as Executive Vice President of McKenzie Mena, Jeff focuses on home owner rights and best in class communication, client satisfaction and results. He has been with the firm since 2007 and was instrumental in scaling the firm from CO to the current markets of CA, TX and CO.
Jeff’s startup experience has included serving as president of Validiti (a first in class RFID company), President of Peak Nursing Team (a Colorado based staffing company) and President of Colorado based All Set Restoration (a general contracting firm).
Higgins has worked in the Homeowners Association (HOA) and Community Association Institute (CAI) industry since 2001. He has held multiple leadership positions throughout the nation serving as CAI Chapter president, CAI Board member at large, HOA Board President and numerous volunteer committee chairs. He has been recognized as both a rising star and Volunteer of the year during his years of service.
Jeff has continually outperformed and succeeded aggressive budgets with both start-up and Fortune 100 companies. His strong leadership skills have allowed him to build great teams and achieve great team success. He has an outstanding track record of building best in class business practices in all settings.
SHAINA STARKEY
Shaina brings over 15 years of HOA industry experience and has worked with a range of clients, from general contractors and reconstruction experts to consulting firms and construction planning organizations. She joins McKenzie Mena, LLP as Director of Client Services and will cover the firm's California market.
As a previous community manager herself, Shaina has the unique ability to both anticipate and understand our clients’ needs in a way that really puts their minds at ease. She holds a membership in CAI San Diego, CAI Orange County, CAI Inland Greater Inland Empire, CAI Los Angeles and the California Association of Community Managers (CACM).
LINDSAY BOSHART
Lindsay started with McKenzie Mena in February 2020. She came from the whole sale insurance industry and is excited about taking on the challenge of the HOA world. She brings to the team over 15 years of experience in customer relations, management and administration. She excels in relationship building and finds that to be the most enjoyable part of her job.
When Lindsay isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys and loves nothing more than camping & hiking in the mountains.
BETTY TOBEY
Betty rejoined McKenzie Mena in January 2023 as Client Services Liaison for the Texas Region. She has 13 years of experience in the HOA industry not only with construction defect, but also with general contractors and service companies supporting HOA's and commercial properties. She is an active member of the DFW Community Associations Institute and serves on the TLAC, AOF, and Expo committee. Outside of work, Betty is co-captain of her TCD tennis team, enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family and pets.
SUZANNE HUBBARD
Suzanne joined McKenzie Mena in January 2021 as Client Service Manager for the Austin, Houston, and San Antonio areas. Prior to joining MRM, she worked in Mortgage Banking for 12 years in both operations and sales and is excited to break into the HOA world. She is passionate about building lasting relationships and focuses on expanding her market knowledge, to become a trusted advisor to clients and business partners, alike.
Beyond work, Suzanne spends a lot of her time outside. Whether it’s biking around Town Lake, paddle boarding, hanging out on a patio or camping, she is happiest in the fresh open air.
MATT VANDERVEER
Matt brings nearly 15 years of Communications experience to McKenzie Mena and has worked with a range of clients, from city municipalities and engineers to general contractors, banks and management companies & their Boards. He has been instrumental in walking HOA communities through the construction defect repair process. From intrusive testing to commencement of project, Matt has built trusted relationships with clients and became a reliable source of knowledge regarding expert involvement and budget prioritization.
Administration
ANGELA MCDANIEL
Angela McDaniel joined McKenzie Mena in November 2020 as Finance and Administration Director. She is responsible for Human Resources, Finance, Operations & Information Technology. She has over 30 years of experience in finance, management, and operations in many companies from startups to private businesses with over 4,000 employees. Angela enjoys fast paced challenging work environments and strives for excellence over perfection. She strongly believes in an ownership culture.
Prior to joining McKenzie Mena, Angela was the Chief Administrative Officer at a benefit consulting firm (Ascende) for over 22 years.
Outside of work, Angela enjoys traveling with her husband and volunteering at her church.
ASHLEY ALRIDGE
With over 18 years of experience in both law and business administration, Ashley is a highly skilled professional. Her efficiency and skills enable her to assist attorneys and staff with time-sensitive projects. With 15 years of paralegal experience, she understands contracts, deadlines, and the need for accuracy and efficiency. She joined McKenzie Mena in July 2022 and has extensive experience managing complex legal projects. Ashley is dedicated to the firm's needs and the clients we serve.
Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and giving back to the community outside of work.
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