AVERY LAW - Key Persons


Alexia Szemkus

Job Titles:
  • Customer Relations Specialist
  • Alexia Szemkus Customer Relations Specialist

Amanda Thomason Case

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Amanda Thomason Case Manager

Angelica Mendoza

Job Titles:
  • Customer Relations Specialist
  • Angelica Mendoza Customer Relations Specialist

Chris Harrop Case

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Chris Harrop Case Manager

Crystal Robertson Case

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Crystal Robertson Case Manager

Holly Sutherland

Job Titles:
  • Senior Attorney
  • Holly Sutherland Senior Attorney
Bio Holly Sutherland is a native Idahoan and was born in Twin Falls. She received her undergraduate degree at Utah State University in Political Science. While attending Utah State University, Holly was a legislative intern for Senator Larry Craig in Washington D.C. After graduating from Utah State University, Holly began pursuing a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Northwest Nazarene University. Before completing the program, Holly moved back to Twin Falls to start her own restaurant. While Holly truly enjoyed the fast-paced restaurant environment and the diversified workforce a restaurant brings, Holly decided to leave the restaurant business after a decade to pursue a legal career. Holly attended and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Idaho. During that time, Holly clerked for the Honorable N. Randy Smith on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She also worked as a legal extern for the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho and the former Idaho State Senate Majority Leader, Bart Davis. After graduating from law school, Holly briefly practiced employment law before finding her true passion in the area of bankruptcy law. Holly worked as the staff attorney for the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee before leaving to represent debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Holly is licensed to practice law in the State of Idaho, the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, and the United States Bankruptcy Courts.

Jacqueline Mendoza

Job Titles:
  • Customer Relations Specialist
  • Jacqueline Mendoza Customer Relations Specialist

Jake Summers Attorney

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
  • Staff
Bio Jake Summers grew up in Rexburg, Idaho. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While attending BYU, Jake interned at the Utah State Senate during the 2018 legislative session. Jake then went on to Gonzaga University where he concurrently earned his Juris Doctorate (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). While in law school, Jake worked in the Gonzaga Law Business Innovations Clinic, where he helped set up business entities. He also gained experience in local government, banking, and human resources while in law school. Jake has a strong work ethic that enables him to effectively assist clients. Jake understands the importance of passionately representing his clients. He is passionate about helping people in stressful situations and helping people get back on track. In his free time, Jake enjoys spending time with his family. He values a balance between work and family life. He also enjoys basketball, football, and hockey.

Janine Reynard

Job Titles:
  • Senior Attorney
  • Janine Reynard Senior Attorney
Bio Janine has been an attorney in Idaho since 1999 and has more than 20 years of experience handling bankruptcy and collection matters, as well as general litigation cases. Janine's background includes a few years working for the U.S. Trustee Program in Idaho, as well as serving as a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee from 2011-2017. Janine graduated with honors from Gonzaga School of Law in May 1999. Prior to attending law school, she served in the Army Nurse Corps, obtaining the rank of Captain. She had obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in May 1989. Janine is admitted to practice in all Idaho State Courts, and the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, including Bankruptcy Court. Janine is a member of the Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Section of the Idaho State Bar; Secretary of the Dispute Resolution Section of the Idaho State Bar; and a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Outside of the practice of law, Janine volunteers for St. Vincent de Paul through the St. Mark's Conference. In her free time, Janine has always enjoyed watching her sons sporting events and being active with her dogs.

John O. Avery - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder
John was born and raised on a diversified family farming/ranching operation in Southern Idaho. He graduated from Bonneville High School in 1969. He then completed an Associate Degree in Business from Ricks College in 1971, and a Bachelor Degree in Accounting with a Minor in Management and Economics from Brigham Young University in 1973. John eagerly returned to farming and ranching, specifically cattle, hay and grain, until 1982 when he entered the University of Idaho College of Law. John received his Juris Doctor Degree in 1985. John continues to live and work on his family farm. During the past 30 years as an Idaho bankruptcy attorney, John has helped thousands of Idaho residents with bankruptcy and related credit matters. He is a member of the Seventh District Bar Association, the Idaho Falls Bankruptcy Bar, The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys as well other organizations. As an Idaho bankruptcy attorney John and his team of legal professionals provide the highest quality of legal representation available at the lowest possible cost. John maintains four offices in Idaho to serve your legal needs; Boise Metro, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls. The goal of Avery law is to treat each client as though they are a member of the Avery Law family and we think you will appreciate our respectful and friendly staff. Our motto is "We're here to help!" One call to Avery Law and you will understand why we are the premiere bankruptcy law firm in Southern Idaho. John's expert knowledge and non-judgmental attitude provide for a truly caring and non-threatening environment. In a time of stress and concern come in and let John, Ryan and the Avery Law team put your mind at ease.

Mark Avery

Job Titles:
  • Senior Attorney
  • Mark Avery Senior Attorney
  • Member of the State Bar of Idaho
Bio Mark Avery assists his clients with their business, corporate, finance, commercial real estate, bankruptcy, wealth preservation and estate planning needs. For more than 25 years, Mark has been involved in the successful completion of over one thousand business transactions including: asset, stock and real estate sales and business acquisitions; mergers; recapitalizations; receiverships, start ups; and commercial loans (both domestically and internationally) with values between $100,000 and $500,000,000. He also has experience in contract negotiation and drafting in Spanish. He works with investment bankers, business bankers, lenders, buyers and sellers in business sales and purchases throughout the country and in corporate and business finance relating to buying, selling and recapitalizing business assets, stock and real estate. His business clients are in such diverse industries as energy, software, finance, securities, IT, manufacturing, real estate development, healthcare, insurance, bioscience, construction, and entertainment. Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Spanish and International Business from the University of Idaho, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He then earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Brigham Young University, where he was elected to Phi Delta Phi and served as a Senior Editor on the Moot Court Board of Advocates. At the beginning of his career, Mark worked for two trial judges who took the time to give him special insight into what is most important to a trial court when considering commercial disputes including contract enforcement. He served as a Summer Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Edward C. Prado of the United States District Court, Western District of Texas, in San Antonio, Texas, and the Honorable Judge Anthony Schofield of the Utah Fourth District Court in Provo, Utah. Mark integrates such insight into the negotiations he conducts and the legal documents he prepares. Mark is a member of the State Bar of Idaho, State Bar of Texas, and the Bar of the District of Columbia.

Melissa Geary Case

Job Titles:
  • Manager
  • Melissa Geary Case Manager

Michael Wilder Attorney

Job Titles:
  • Attorney
Bio Michael Wilder grew up in a small town in southern Indiana. He first came to Idaho to attend college at Brigham Young University-Idaho. There he met his wife and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Finance. Michael then went to the University of Idaho College of Law to obtain his Juris Doctorate. While attending law school, Michael worked in the Law School Legal Aid Clinic. After successfully passing the Idaho Bar Exam, Michael began his legal career by representing creditors in debt collection. This was valuable experience for him and has helped him to easily transition into working in bankruptcy law. He will vigorously represent his clients with this unique perspective. He is excited to help people gain the fresh start that bankruptcy has to offer and will help his clients understand the process better. Michael is currently licensed to practice in the Idaho State Courts, the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, and Bankruptcy Court. Michael strongly believes in maintaining a healthy balance between work and family. He enjoys playing and watching sports, snowboarding, camping, gaming, and spending time with his wife and children.

Samantha Montero

Job Titles:
  • Customer Relations Specialist
  • Samantha Montero Customer Relations Specialist

Sheli Horel

Job Titles:
  • Legal Assistant
  • Sheli Horel Legal Assistant

Yanet Rosales

Job Titles:
  • Legal Assistant
  • Yanet Rosales Legal Assistant