HIGBEE & ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Aaron K. Wills handles civil and criminal matters. He is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of Hawaii and Criminal sections of law and licensed to practice in both State and Federal Courts in Hawaii.
Before relocating to Hawaii and attending the William S. Richardson School of Law, Aaron attended the University of Nebraska on a full athletic football scholarship graduating in 1999 and obtaining a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Aaron's focus happily maintains a diverse client base, but his kuleana compels him to serve the Native Hawaiian community. Aaron successfully represented, pro bono, over 100 kia'i (protectors) arrested on Mauna Kea, Hunananiho, Kahuku, and Kalealoa, seeing their cases through from 2018 to 2020. When Aaron's not in the courtroom or in the office, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful ‘ohana, staying fit, and keeping up on sports.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Ms. Farmer went on to earn Bachelor's degrees in both Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Mississippi. She is a graduate of The University of Mississippi School of Law.
First licensed in Mississippi in 2011, she has spent her career defending hundreds of Mississippians against the Internal Revenue Service, state tax departments, debt collectors, and private creditors. She has also provided legal education courses regarding economic wellness to both citizens and fellow attorneys across Mississippi.
Among her accolades, she has been awarded as the first Magnolia Bar member spotlight winner due to her work offering pro bono representation as the Director and Managing Attorney of the only Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic in Mississippi. She has been voted among the best attorneys in Jackson, Mississippi for the past two years.
In her free time, Alexis supports Southern artists and chefs. She enjoys cooking and writing poetry and short stories.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Ali H. Mian is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in multiple jurisdictions including the State Bars of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, as well as the U.S. District Court: District of Massachusetts and District of New Hampshire.
Having obtained his Juris Doctorate from the Massachusetts School of Law, Attorney Mian specializes in representing privately held companies and individuals, offering advocacy services on a broad spectrum of legal matters. He has an extensive track record of successfully handling numerous collection cases and demonstrates unwavering dedication when litigating on behalf of his clients. What sets Mr. Mian apart is his profound commitment to utilizing his legal expertise to support individuals and families during their most challenging times.
Before embarking on his legal career, Ali Mian acquired valuable experience in the IT industry, establishing a solid foundation in that field. Beyond his professional pursuits, he is an enthusiastic basketball fan and cherishes his role as a devoted family man.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Antranig Garibian maintains an active litigation practice throughout the state and federal courts of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. For years, Mr. Garibian has represented and advised clients ranging from large publicly traded companies to small and individually held businesses.
Mr. Garibian holds a Bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University. Mr. Garibian frequently writes articles and speaks on a wide array of emerging legal issues. He has covered topics such as federal court jurisdiction, liability risks facing premises owners, legal developments in corporate law, and unique legal issues in personal injury litigation.
He has served in many leadership roles on the local, national and international level in the Armenian Church, including the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Claudia Martin Candel is an Associate Attorney in our HACA Division. Ms. Martin focuses her practice on regulatory compliance and financial services.
Native to Spain, Ms. Martin earned his Juris Doctor Degree at the Complutense University in Madrid. Also, she obtained a Master of Finance from the Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles and an LL.M in International Arbitration at the University of Miami where she graduated with honors.
Ms. Martin is licensed to practice law in New York and Spain. Ms. Martin joined Higbee & Associates after practicing International Arbitration and Construction law in multi-million legal matters. In addition, Ms. Martin has contributed her publications to two major international magazines.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Frank Pipitone is based in Bozeman, Montana. He has extensive experience helping consumers out of debt through bankruptcy and Debt settlement.
Originally from Long Island, New York, He graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Computer Information Systems. Mr. Pipitone then graduated Cum Laude from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuschberg Law Center earning his Juris Doctor degree.
Mr. Pipitone is admitted to practice law in Montana and New York. In addition, I am admitted to practice before the United States Federal Courts for the District of Montana, the Eastern District of New York, and the Southern District of New York.
He enjoys hiking in the mountains, and CrossFit, and is the proud father of two sons.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
After spending several years in the business sector, he decided to apply his J.D. to the direct practice of law. George Binnicker III graduated from the Charleston School of Law in 2009.
Originally specializing in full-service estate and probate issues to include the financial planning elements of the same, he quickly branched out to include litigation and debt defense matters. Currently, the primary focus of Mr. Binnicker's practice is working with clients through financial workouts to avoid bankruptcy/debt litigation but with the ability to defend such actions if required.
Mr. Binnicker resides in Charleston, SC, and is married with five-year-old twins who are too much like him and drive him crazy but in the best possible way.
When not working he may be found supporting Clemson Tiger athletics and enjoying the great outdoors of the Carolinas including hunting and boating.
Mr. Binnicker is a lifelong resident of South Carolina and as the son of a farming family has a unique understanding of the needs of the people of the Palmetto State to which he has dedicated himself to attending.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Heather Benveniste is an accomplished attorney admitted to the Illinois Bar in November 2003. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2000, followed by a law degree from UIC Law in 2003.
Heather's practice focuses on debt settlement and consumer rights, where she passionately defends defendants and debtors in litigation. Her friendly and personable demeanor allows her to establish strong connections with clients, making them feel comfortable and supported throughout the legal process. In addition to her legal experience, Heather also offers alternatives to bankruptcy, providing clients with viable options tailored to their unique circumstances.
Beyond her professional achievements, Heather finds joy in musical theater and cherishes quality time spent with her spouse and two children, aged 12 and 9. This well-rounded approach to life reflects Heather's dedication to her clients, family, and personal passions.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Hyrum M. Zeyer was raised on a farm in Melba, Idaho. He attended Willamette University College of Law. Mr. Zeyer is admitted to practice before the United States District Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho and the State Courts of Idaho. His professional experience is in debt resolution and bankruptcy. He has represented over 200 bankruptcy clients in each of the last eight years.
Away from the office Mr. Zeyer spends his time with his family, untangling fishing lines for his three kids and roasting marshmallows on backyard campfires.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Ms. Leath moved to Charleston, S.C., and attended the College of Charleston. She received her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and then co-owned and operated several businesses including a small music venue. Ms. Leath earned her Juris Doctor and LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During law school, Ms. Leath served as Vice-President of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association. She also served as an Associate Editor of the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law and was the recipient of the Outstanding Associate Editor Award.
After law school, Ms. Leath relocated to Atlanta to focus on copyright and trademark law. Before joining Higbee & Associates, Ms. Leath worked at Georgia Lawyers for the Arts and assisted numerous low-income creatives with their intellectual property law matters.
Ms. Leath is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Michigan.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Contact Attorney
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Jonathan Krems / Office Counsel ( of Counsel )
- Office Counsel ( of Counsel )
Jonathan Krems is "Of Counsel" in our Consumer Advocacy Division. He graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2006 and holds a B.A. in Government and international Politics from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Aside from his consumer practice, Mr. Krems represents many individuals and small businesses in transactional and litigation matters, including LLC formations and restructures, contracts and agreements, business litigation, outside general counsel services, and real estate matters. Mr. Krems has a reputation for aggressively defending his client's interests and rights both inside and outside the courtroom.
When he is not assisting his clients, Mr. Krems enjoys reading, spending time with family, and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Kurt Wichman is an associate attorney in our consumer advocacy division where he is a compliance attorney. He resides and is licensed in Pennsylvania. Before joining the firm Kurt had previously worked in family law, collections, and landlord/tenant.
Kurt earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and his Juris Doctor from the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Outside the office, he spends his time at the local botanical gardens, reading books, or doing anything purely mindless.
Attorney Lisa D. Owings graduated from The University of Akron with her J.D. and LL.M. in Intellectual Property in 2015. In addition, she holds a B.S. in Legal Studies and a M.S. in Cybersecurity from Bellevue University. She is a licensed attorney in Ohio, Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Iowa, Utah, North Carolina, Colorado, Maine, and Texas.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Job Titles:
- Contact Founding Attorney
- Founding Attorney
- Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Mathew Higbee founded Higbee & Associates in 2006. Before attending law school, he gained 15 years of diverse professional and business experience that included working as a senior campaign consultant to dozens of political campaigns, a legislative analyst during the 104th Congress, and a software publisher.
He is admitted to practice law in 10 states and in federal court federal courts. He has won nearly a dozen published appeals, served as an expert witness to legislative bodies, litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal court, and assisted in the negotiation of international content distribution agreements with multinational media corporations.
He earned his juris doctor from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, where he served as president of the student body (SBA) and earned a nomination as a finalist for the American Bar Association's President of the Year honor. Other honors included being a member of one of the two national moot-court teams (Intellectual Property), and receiving numerous scholarships, awards, and fellowships, including an invitation to participate in the prestigious United States Presidential Management Fellowship.
Higbee later served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law. He was also honored as the young alumnus of the year.
He received the University of Utah and Utah State Supreme Court's award for outstanding commitment to pro bono service. The Mayor of Los Angeles honored him with a certificate of merit for his work on behalf of veterans.
PERSONAL
Higbee is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation- the 15th largest federally recognized Native American tribe. His favorite pastimes include running, watching college football (preferably the Utah Utes), and riding horses or his Vespa Rally 200
He is a talented photographer who has won numerous awards- including Best of Show.
Mr. Higbee founded Higbee & Associates in 2006. Prior to attending law school at the University of Utah in 2002, he gained 15 years of diverse professional and business experience that included working as a senior campaign and legislative consultant in national politics. He has won several published appeals, served as an expert witness to legislative bodies, litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal court, and assisted in negotiation of international content distribution agreements with multinational media corporations.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
- Member of the State Bar of California
Ms. Urday earned her Juris Doctor degree from Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law. While in law school, Ms. Urday participated in the Betty & Wylie Family Protection Immigration Clinic, assisting Spanish-speaking clients in petitioning for residency and citizenship. She also received CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for earning the top grade in her Legal Research and Writing and Legal Mediation courses.
Michelle Urday is a member of the State Bar of California (#331332).
Job Titles:
- of Counsel
- Ray L. Ngo ( of Counsel )
Mr. Ray L. Ngo, Esq., is a graduate of the University of Utah's SJ Quinney College of Law, where he served as a member of the law review. He is a member in good standing of the Utah State Bar as well as the State Bar of New York. He is licensed to practice law in all state courts of Utah and New York, as well as in the United States District Court for the District of Utah and the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Ms. Melissa Clark has extensive experience in civil litigation and criminal defense matters, particularly post-conviction relief. She has successfully represented clients in multi-million dollar litigation. She joined Higbee & Associates in 2010.
A native of Utah, she graduated from the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law. She ranked in the top ten percent of her class, earning her the Order of the Coif. She was a member of the Utah Law Review and served on the Student Bar Association. Clark was a member of the Moot Court Team that represented her school at the national competition in New York.
After law school, she clerked for the Honorable Daniel A. Barker of the Arizona Court of Appeals. There she gained a valuable behind-the-scenes perspective on how the Arizona Courts operate. Ms. Clark also clerked for the Honorable Judith A. Boulden of the Utah Bankruptcy Court.
Ms. Clark joined Higbee & Associates after working for one of Utah's most prestigious law firms, Jones Waldo Holbrook & McDonough. At Jones Waldo, Ms. Clark represented clients involved in multi-million dollar civil cases.
Ms. Clark is a certified SCUBA diver and an avid writer.
Job Titles:
- Naomi Sarega / Supervising Attorney
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Paul Hecht represents clients in criminal defense matters. Mr. Hecht also assists the firm with civil litigation.
Mr. Hecht earned his Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While in law school, Mr. Hecht clerked for the Hon. Thomas M. Hart of the Marion County Circuit Court in Salem, Oregon where he assisted the court in a variety of manners by outlining opinions and researching motions before the court. Mr. Hecht was also a member of the Disaster Relief Legal Association, providing legal assistance to those most affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Mr. Hecht was born and raised in southeastern Ohio, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in History Pre-Law from Ohio University.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Stephen M Plantan is the Supervising Attorney in the Higbee & Associates Consumer Advocacy Division (HACA). As the division's supervising attorney, Mr. Plantan oversees a team that helps provide consumers with the guidance they need to address matters relating to the litigation and settlement of civil claims.
In 2016, Mr. Plantan started working at Higbee & Associates as a Law Clerk in the firm's RecordGone division. Since 2018, he has overseen the Consumer Advocacy Division, and since then has helped build a proven system that has helped more than 2,000 consumers face lawsuits by creditors and debt collectors.
Before enrolling in law school, Mr. Plantan attended Chapman University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in philosophy. In 2014, Mr. Plantan again enrolled at Chapman University - this time in the Dale E. Fowler School of Law. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 2017.
Outside of the office, Mr. Plantan enjoys road trips and exploring the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Stephen H Mackenzie has been a licensed attorney since 1990. He has worked on consumer debt issues since 2017, having handled both creditor and debtor matters, and currently handles debtor matters exclusively. He is a graduate of Bates College and Vermont Law School and has an advanced qualification in Human Rights law from Harvard University. He is admitted to practice in Vermont, Maine(inactive) Wind River and Ute tribal courts, and the First, Second, and Ninth Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal. His office is in Port Henry, NY, just across the Champlain bridge from Vermont.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney
Taryn Murray is an Associate Attorney in our Copyright Division. Ms. Murray works as an advocate for clients' intellectual property rights.
Ms. Murray earned her Juris Doctor degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. While in law school, Ms. Murray served as the Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Law, Technology, and the Internet. Ms. Murray attended Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of the Arts in Sociology.
Ms. Murray is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Contact Associate Attorney