Staff Profiles

O’Donnell Clark & Crew Litigation Department

Russ Kleve – Senior Litigation Paralegal
Russ Kleve is a paralegal assisting Kelly Clark for the past 15 years. His primary duties for the past five years include working with clients who have suffered childhood abuse by clergy members. This position requires considerable client contact as the legal process can exacerbate a survivor’s already heightened anxieties about re-living their abuse. Much of Russ’ time is spent locating and interviewing witnesses, gathering and organizing documents, filing lawsuits and other pleadings, being knowledgeable about the rules for doing so in all Oregon courts, tracking deadlines, and preparing Mr. Clark for client meetings and court appearances.

Sheryl Anderson – Litigation Paralegal

Sheryl Anderson has worked as a litigation paralegal at O’Donnell Clark & Crew for seven years.  She works primarily as a litigation paralegal on commercial cases, land use matters, political issues and appellate work. However, she has on numerous abuse cases as well.  The diversity of her case load allows her the opportunity to work with all the attorneys of the firm. Sheryl is very involved in the community as well, participating in a variety of fun runs and other events that raise money for such organizations as Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club and the Oregon Food Bank. She is currently training for the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, a 60 mile walk to raise money for breast cancer research.

Jennifer Anderson – Litigation Paralegal
Jennifer Anderson has worked for O’Donnell Clark & Crew for the past six years as a paralegal supporting the litigation department and senior partner, Kelly Clark.  Jennifer’s work mainly focuses on cases involving adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She considers this type of work to be incredibly rewarding as we provide one avenue for our clients to find closure and healing to a very traumatic part of their lives.  She believes she often meets the most amazing people in the most unfortunate set of circumstances and her role is finding them the healing and justice they deserve. Jennifer says being a part if their personal transformation is incredibly inspiring and energizing.

Dawn Krantz Watts – Senior Litigation Paralegal
Dawn joined our firm in February of 2005. She works on the litigation team utilizing her 17 years of experience as a paralegal to be an advocate for plaintiffs as they navigate their way through the legal system. Her specialty has been working on complex abuse cases where there are multiple parties. She has been able to successfully assist in the mediation and trial process because of the training and knowledge she brings to the firm from her past employers.  She is a great addition to the litigation team at O’Donnell Clark & Crew.

Linda Richardson - Legal Assistant
Linda joined the firm in November, 2007, bringing 25 years legal experience to her work as a legal assistant to senior partner, Kelly Clark, specializing in helping adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse cases.  When Linda first talks to a new client she can hear the fear, shame and anger in their voices, and she wants to make it go away.  Linda says the saddest thing a client ever told her was that he “learned to never expect anything good in his life.”  

Tyler Vandemark - Legal Assistant
Tyler has recently joined O’Donnell Clark & Crew as one of Kelly Clark’s legal assistants. Tyler makes sure that the team complies with court deadlines, filing requirements and other necessary details. He also actively does research and writing on particular assignments. When he isn’t working, Tyler is reading up on world politics and history.

O’Donnell Clark & Crew Business Department

Nancy Kyker – Senior Legal Assistant
Nancy Kyker is a senior legal assistant with 23 years of experience in the legal environment. For the past 15 years, her primary focus has been in commercial real estate and residential real estate. Nancy works closely with our clients, title officers, escrow officers, environmental consultants, lenders and brokers throughout the transactions. She also assists with all probate matters for our firm clients, which includes drafting all pleadings for the probate court, calendaring and monitoring all timelines and filing deadlines required throughout the probate process; assisting the attorney and the personal representative with all aspects of the probate process.

Michael Hustad– Corporate & Business Law Paralegal
Michael Hustad joined O’Donnell Clark & Crew in June of 2006. As a corporate and business law paralegal, Michael assists Mark O’Donnell and Matt Lowe in the preparation of legal documents required to create and organize business entities - mainly corporations both business and non-profit and limited liability companies. Additionally, some of his other main duties include assisting in the preparation of various business transactions; maintaining corporate minute books; conducting UCC, trademark, entity name and assumed business name searches; issuing and transferring stock; dissolving entities; and ensuring that business entities comply with the regulations of each individual state.

Marie Christie – Business Paralegal

Marie Christie joined O’Donnell Clark & Crew in July of 2006 as a intern from Everest College. She quickly proved her value and, upon graduation from Everest College, was hired permanently. Marie earned her Associates degree with honors.  Marie is a paralegal in the Business Department, working closely with Senior Partner, Mark O’Donnell. She also assists with special projects for the Litigation Department.  Marie’s positive attitude and ability to transition into any task has made her invaluable to the firm. Her past jobs have taught her the importance of good communication and excellent customer service skills and she uses those skills at O’Donnell Clark & Crew.

O’Donnell Clark & Crew Administration

Jeanie Jennings – Law Firm Administrator
Jeanie Jennings has been the administrator for O’Donnell Clark & Crew for eight years. She is responsible for the firm’s financial management, human resources, facilities, and oversees the various systems. The financial management includes accounts payable and receivable, client trust accounts, operating accounts, and financial reporting.  As HR Director, Jeanie is responsible for keeping the office running smoothly, overseeing staff, ensuring that staffing needs are met, both from the client work side to the employees’ and attorneys’ needs. She maintains the various commercial insurance policies and all employees’ insurance benefits.  Jeanie evaluates the need for new hires, finds, interviews and hires new employees, and assists with teaching the new hires office procedures.  Probably most important, she has the dubious job of being the liaison between staff and attorneys.

Janice Hughes – Receptionist
Janice Hughes is the friendly voice you hear first when you call. Janice does everything and anything that needs to be done to keep O’Donnell Clark & Crew running successfully, whether it is helping the lawyers and legal assistants with large projects or managing the ins and outs of the firm, she is an integral part of their success. When she isn’t busy keeping a tight ship at O’Donnell Clark & Crew, she loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, three grandchildren and her cat.

Shelley Johnson – Billing Supervisor/comptroller
Shelley has recently returned to the Portland area after living in Silicon Valley for eight years. She manages all the billing details for O’Donnell Clark & Crew, keeping everyone on their toes and answering any questions clients may have. Her experience in billing started in the medical profession working for oral surgeons. Now, her favorite job is to be a mom and she works mainly from her home in Vancouver, spending time with her two daughters, Madison and Laney and her German Shepard.

Deon Judkins – System Administrator

Deon Judkins is the system administrator, ensuring that all software and technology for O’Donnell Clark & Crew is working efficiently and effectively. He is the go-to-guy for Prolaw, any computer issues, networking, faxing and phones—you name it! Deon has owned his own computer company for ten years, previously working in Las Vegas, Nevada until moving to Portland where he has worked for numerous law firms including Duden-Neiman and Ramis Crew Corrigan LLP.

Kathleen O’Donnell –  Payroll Administrator

  

Kathleen O’Donnell is an integral part of the O’Donnell Clark& Crew team. She currently works part-time from her home office managing the payroll, 401(k), cafeteria plan and any other areas where she helps our firm succeed. When she is not working with O’Donnell Clark & Crew, she enjoys traveling, running, playing tennis and spending time with her husband and three children in Lake Oswego.