Legal Aid Works® Staff
Ann H. Kloeckner, Esq.
Executive Director
Ann Kloeckner joined Legal Aid Works® in 2011 to take the helm from Bill Botts upon his retirement. Ann hails originally from Vermont and most recently from Texas, with a non-linear career path emphasizing public service and advocacy on behalf of survivors of domestic violence. With law licenses in four states (PA, NJ, TX, and VA), Ann is a graduate of Swarthmore College and Villanova University School of Law, where her stint at a legal aid clinical program nurtured her passion for equal justice and her tolerance of a nonprofit lifestyle. She enjoys mentoring new attorneys and maintains a robust schedule of public speaking engagements throughout the seventeen-county service area. Ann was appointed in 2016 by the Virginia Supreme Court to a three-year term as a member of the faculty of the Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course, which is mandatory for every newly licensed attorney in Virginia.
Tamara X. Moore, Esq.
Managing Attorney
Tamara Moore, the managing attorney of the Culpeper branch office, came to Legal Aid Works® in 2007. She represents clients in their petitions for custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, protective orders, and lawful status in the United States. Tamara is a graduate of George Mason University and received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
William (Willy) C. Herbert, III, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Since 2007 when William Herbert joined Legal Aid Works®, his practice focus has been Family Law. A general practice attorney in Ashland, Virginia from 1983 to 2007, he was also an adjunct faculty at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, teaching Introduction to Criminal Law. As Commissioner in Chancery, his controversial Commissioner’s Report was upheld by the Virginia Supreme Court (Jim Carpenter Company v. Jill Meyers Potts, et al., 1998). A member of the Virginia State Bar, Sixth District Committee, from June 1993 until June 1999, William also served as Chair for one year. Additionally, he was President of the Hanover Bar Association. He received his Juris Doctorate from the T. C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond in 1983 and received his Bachelor of Science in Economics In 1978 from Virginia Commonwealth University. In his spare time he thoroughly enjoys spoiling his grandchildren and teaching a Youth Sunday School Class at Ginter Park United Methodist Church.
Alexander J. Reidell, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Alexander Reidell joined Legal Aid Works® as the ACES (Advocates for Credit, Employment, and Shelter) staff attorney in the Fredericksburg Office in November of 2017. He provides legal advice and representation throughout the 17 counties along the Rappahannock River in housing and consumer debt matters, with a focus of foreclosures. He received degrees in Political Science and Economics from Arizona State University in 2012, and received his Juris Doctor from William and Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia. Alexander is excited to be part of the Legal Aid Works® team and the state-wide ACES project, and hopes to leave a lasting positive impact in the lives of his clients and in our community.
Chri
stian J. Kessinger, Esq.
VOCA Staff Attorney
Christian Kessinger started working as a VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) attorney in our Fredericksburg office in April 2022. He received his undergraduate degree in Western Legal Tradition, with a minor in Criminal Justice from Liberty University in 2018, received his Juris Doctor from Liberty University School of Law in 2021, and passed the Virginia Bar in October 2021. Christian is excited to be part of the Legal Aid Works family and come alongside clients going through some of the toughest moments in their lives.
Patricia Castro
Bilingual Paralegal
Originally from Andalusia, Spain, Patricia Castro moved to Fredericksburg in 2014. Patricia has extensive customer service experience with a background in both manufacturing and the restaurant industry. Patricia is very excited about the opportunity to help this community.
M. Estefani Loya
Bilingual VOCA Paralegal
Estefani Loya is rejoining Legal Aid Works (LAW), and is very excited to serve her community and hopes to empower victims of domestic violence . She is a first generation American, her parents are Mexican and she is originally from El Paso, Texas. Estefani worked as a teller before becoming a Paralegal, and has experience as a Paralegal/ Legal Assistant working in family, immigration, and criminal law. While she already holds a Legal Assistant Certification from Germanna Community College Estefani is currently pursuing her AAS in Criminal Justice.
Evelin Villafuerte Escobar
Bilingual VOCA Paralegal
Evelin Villafuerte Escobar joined Legal Aid Works as a Bilingual Paralegal in the Fredericksburg office in September 2021. Evelin was born in El Salvador and came to Fredericksburg where she attended Stafford Sr. High School and graduated in 2018. Evelin moved on to graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University in December 2021 where she majored in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security with a concentration in Justice. As a first-generation college graduate, Evelin hopes to make her family proud in everything she does. Evelin is very excited to work with Legal Aid Works, learn more about family law and be able to help her community.
Jauneth Cisneros Smith
Public Benefits Paralegal
Jauneth Cisneros Smith graduated from Rappahannock Community College in 2018 and started attending Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019. She is pursing her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and hopes to one day go to law school to become an attorney! Jauneth has been with Legal Aid Works on and off since 2017 as the VOCA and now public benefits paralegal.
Jean M. Cunningham
Housing Paralegal
Jean joined Legal Aid Works in July of 2019. She is a life-long resident of Virginia who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Reynolds Community College in May of 2019, with two degrees in Paralegal Law. Jean brings with her over 30 years’ experience in business management and a passion for helping provice access to legal support for those in the community who traditionally cannot afford legal help.
Julie Mitchell
Housing Paralegal
Julie grew up in a small town outside of Boston MA until she moved to Okinawa, Japan. She spent four years as a Family Readiness Officer, a Key Volunteer with L.I.N.K.S., and doing everything she could to immerse herself in the Japanese culture. Upon her return stateside, Julie received her Degree in Psychology and spent the next few years growing her managerial and leadership abilities.
Julie enjoyed being the Silent partner managing a non-profit but soon realized her passion was being hands-on helping people in the community. She joined Legal Aid Works in August 2022 with a passion to be a part of something bigger than herself.
Katerina Vollten
Director of Development
Katerina Vollten joined the team at Legal Aid Works® in February of 2019. Katerina holds prior experience in both resource development and program management across a variety of local and national nonprofit organizations. Katerina has her Masters in Social Work and Business in a Global Society from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors of Science from New York University. Katerina is passionate about initiatives that help alleviate poverty and increase access to services in her community, and looks forward to the opportunity to do just that at LAW!
Kelly Evans
Pro bono Coordinator
Kelly Evans joined Legal Aid Works in October 2022 as the new Pro Bono Coordinator. She has her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and her Master’s Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University; both degrees in Criminal Justice. Kelly worked many years in D.C. as an Aviation Defense Litigation Paralegal prior to moving to Fredericksburg, VA. Upon arrival in Fredericksburg, Kelly oversaw the recreational gymnastics program for 11 years for Stafford County Parks and Recreation and Community Facilities. Working for parks and rec was extremely rewarding as Kelly has an inherent desire to help those in and around her community. She has a passion for giving back and helping those in need. With over 20 years of customer service, paralegal, and administrative assistant experience, Kelly is excited to be a part of the LAW team.
Terria Spencer
Grants Manager
Terria Spencer joined Legal Aid Works in February 2022 as the new Grants Manager. Terria was raised by her parents to give back to the community, and to those in need. She has been involved with multiple non-profits in our communities for the past 15 years. Terria has a high desire to improve the lives of those around her. After working over 20 years in the banking industry, Terria is very excited and passionate about her new career at Legal Aid Works and is happy to begin this new chapter in her life!
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Kim McCartney
Intake Specialist/Pro Bono Coordinator
A life-long Virginia resident, in 2020 Kim McCartney celebrated her 15th anniversary as pro bono coordinator/intake specialist for the Tappahannock branch office. Kim brings to our legal aid setting her people skills and background handling case preparation for a prominent social security disability law firm. She also served our Virginia school system for a number of years as counseling office secretary and Registrar in a busy high school setting.
Anne V. Menegalli
Program Administrator
Anne Menagalli joined Legal Aid Works® in January of 2015, bringing more than 20 years of experience in finance, business administration and management. She is responsible for overseeing Legal Aid Works® financial operations and ensuring that Legal Aid Works® funding streams are judiciously and effectively managed. Her experience includes more than 15 years of financial management in the nonprofit sector. Before relocating to Virginia in 1987, she was a legal assistant/secretary for a firm in NYC, working in landlord/tenant law. Additionally, Anne has worked with the homeless for more than 15 years and is determined to see equal justice become a reality for all.
Tamesha Cook
Intake Specialist
Tamesha Cook joined Legal Aid Works in April of 2019, bringing 15 years of experience in office management, business administration and customer service. As the Intake Specialist/Pro Bono Coordinator of the Culpeper branch, Tamesha is responsible for overseeing client referrals and the recruitment of local private attorneys. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events and watching the Investigation Discovery channel. Each day at LAW presents a new opportunity and privilege to help someone in need.
Michelle Truit
Intake Specialist/Administrative Assistant
Michelle Truit joined Legal Aid Works® as the Intake Specialist/Administrative Assistant in the Fredericksburg office in July of 2017. She brings more than 20 years of administrative and customer service experience to her position. Michelle is a native Virginian who loves spending time with her husband and children. Eager to learn how she can help those in need and make a difference in this community, she is thrilled to be a part of the Legal Aid Works® team where she can ensure that there is equal access to justice!
Professional photography courtesy of Camille Danieli, scb photography, www.scbphotographyblog.com
