Resourceful and collaborative, Susan Boggess is a legal assistant for BoyarMiller’s Business Group. She began her legal career thirty years ago, and brings a wealth of experience pertaining to corporate and transactional areas of law, with particular emphasis on: asset acquisitions, purchase and sale of companies, corporate filings and real estate transactions. She supports Gus J. Bourgeois III, Larry Wilson, Tiffany Melchers, and Carl Stewart. Susan is a native of Houstonian, holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Houston and enjoys learning new languages, including Spanish.

Nodea joined BoyarMiller’s Litigation Group in 2019, bringing with her over 10 years of experience in complex probate, trust and fiduciary litigation matters. She supports Christopher Burt, Jill Willard Young, Molly Hust, and Brandon Cofield. Nodea is a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, holds a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University and relocated to Houston in 2004.

Sharon has been with BoyarMiller since 1990, and has worked as Bill Boyar’s assistant since 1978. She also supports Blake Royal, Hilary Tyson, and John Ransom. In addition to typical document management, Sharon’s responsibilities include: preparing contract summaries; maintaining the Business Group calendar, which targets the critical dates in transactions; setting up and maintaining closing document files; preparing binders of closing documents after the closing of transactions; preparing summaries of limited partnership agreements, limited liability companies and loan documents; drafting form documents, and setting up and maintaining corporate and limited liability companies minute books. Sharon is a native of Baton Rouge, La., attended Louisiana State University and has lived in Houston since 1977.

Dora joined the BoyarMiller team in 2007. She initially began her journey here as a File Room Manager, but later transitioned to a Legal Assistant for the Business Group. Dora supports Lyndsay Fincher, Taylor Gaver, Adebola Akisanya, and Diego Pacheco. She also always makes sure that our clients and employees have a special day – including using her creative side to decorate for every holiday – big or small.

Marlene joined BoyarMiller’s Litigation Group in 2012. She brings more than 30 years of diverse legal experience to the firm from both the plaintiff and defense perspectives. Marlene began her early legal career working with a litigation support firm gaining valuable knowledge and experience that eventually led to her position as a Legal Assistant. She supports Lee Collins, Matt Veech, Robert Arthur, and Alex Wolf. She is a native Houstonian.

Debbie Pellegrin brings more than thirty years of experience to the BoyarMiller Litigation Group as a Senior Paralegal. She received her Certificate in Paralegal Studies from LSU-Shreveport, and has a diverse resume that spans from commercial litigation work for global law firms, to title law when she worked for an oil and gas attorney. She consistently enjoys the challenge of her role, as well as working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Outside of work, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and cheering for LSU football- GEAUX TIGERS!

Luisa is a Legal Assistant for attorneys in our Business Group. She was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Corpus Christi, TX. She completed her Associates Degree from Del Mar College. She enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time. Luisa supports Chris Hanslik, Andrew Pearce, Whitney Brieck, Lauren Black, and Brittany Rupple.

Melissa is a transactional paralegal with experience in both real estate and corporate matters.  She assists attorneys and clients in entity formations, preparation of organizational documents and filings with the Secretary of State. She helps with purchase and sale agreements, contracts and ancillary documents for all types of transactions. Melissa assists in title and survey review, prepares closing documents, and coordinates with all parties involved in a transaction to make sure that each deal closes in a smooth and efficient manner. She is a native of San Antonio, Texas where she graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio and received her paralegal certification as well.

Drew has over a decade of legal experience to the BoyarMiller team. As the Marketing Manager, she leads firm wide marketing and branding initiatives as well as client facing events. With a background in litigation support, her legal acumen as well as passion for driving modern digital efforts have accelerated the brand’s digital presence. Drew is a native Houstonian, holds a Marketing degree from Baylor University, and enjoys traveling and exploring Houston’s bustling restaurant scene.

Eddie joined the IT department in 2021 and consulted with BoyarMiller for many years before being added to the team. He has over 10 years of experience in the technology industry. He is a Certified Microsoft Technician and has several information technology certifications, including: Net+, Security+, and Server+. In his role he will be tasked with repairing, installing, deploying, and maintaining our network equipment. He is 100% Texan, and a Houstonian born and raised.

Isha Cotton handles a variety of administrative and operational functions around the firm to make sure things run efficiently. She helps with client facing duties such as setting up conference rooms and greeting guests at the reception desk. As well, she assists with back of house operations such as office services to make sure that the firm operates smoothly. Isha is an experienced customer service professional and has a background working for the State of Texas and in mortgage loans in the call center as a team lead. She attended Houston Community College and is currently a Miami Dolphins fan.

As the Director of Accounting, Shirley brings three decades of accounting experience that spans from claims management for environmental disasters to formerly managing investigation and dispute matters for KPMG. Shirley received her Accounting degree from Texas A&M University, and later her MBA in Finance from the University of Houston. At BoyarMiller, Shirley develops income statements and cash flow projections, and monitors the firm budget and billings. She is also involved within the community and actively volunteers with the Houston Rodeo.

Jimmie wears many hats at BoyarMiller, including managing the firm’s Copy Center where he works closely with the attorneys and legal assistants providing administrative support. He is also responsible for keeping the firm’s public spaces organized and presentation ready. Other duties include sorting and circulating the mail, ordering and organizing office supplies and ensuring that the numerous machines around the office are in good working order.

Courtney is the person behind the voice you hear when you call the BoyarMiller main phone line. In addition to managing calls, Courtney is responsible for greeting and directing all guests at the firm, scheduling conference rooms and handling incoming and outgoing deliveries. Her ever-courteous, highly efficient nature makes her the perfect candidate to represent the front of the house at BoyarMiller.

With 15 years of experience in software training and consulting, and a long-standing relationship to the firm, Kari has a wealth of understanding about BoyarMiller and our clients. In her role, she is responsible for leading our IT department and implementing strategic technology initiatives that move the firm forward. This position provides the team with the know-how and tools to continuously improve client communication. Kari earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida.

From Boulder, Colorado, Paul Smith, CPA, is the controller at BoyarMiller and bolsters our accounting team. Graduate of the University of Colorado, he brings over thirty years’ experience from Controllerships at manufacturing and distribution companies, to Big 4 public accounting work. In addition to working for BoyarMiller, Paul’s role also allows for him to be an accounting consultant for other Houston companies. Paul enjoys the outdoors, skiing, golfing and traveling.

Laura came to BoyarMiller in 2011 with almost 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. She was an Operations Specialist for A.G. Edwards & Sons, Wachovia Securities and Wells Fargo Advisors, and a Branch Office Administrator for Edward Jones Investments.  Her first role at BoyarMiller was Office Coordinator. She moved to the Litigation Group in 2013 to help out as a Junior Legal Assistant, then on to the Accounting Department as AP Analyst and currently serves in the role of Accounting Analyst. She has also coordinated firm marketing and events. Laura holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Baylor University.