STARFIELD & SMITH, P.C. - Key Persons
Allen is an Associate in the firm's Fort Washington office. He concentrates his practice on commercial financing, real estate, and corporate law.
Prepares and reviews loan files for SBA 7(a) and conventional commercial loans
Confers with loan processors in-house counsel
Drafts, analyzes and negotiates loan and finance documents
Drafts various different loan modifications documents
Additionally, Allen investigates state and federal regulatory issues to aid in the representation of commercial lenders before the US Small Business Administration on a variety of policy and SBA guaranty related items.
In his free time, Allen enjoys to travel, any personal development actives, and to stay active by running and lifting weights.
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Andrea is a graduate of Widener University and has worked as a legal assistant for mid-sized law firms and large corporations for the past 35 years. Andrea joined Starfield and Smith in 2012 and assists attorneys in the litigation/creditor's rights and government guaranteed lending departments in both closing and guaranty purchase work.
Brandon is a Legal Assistant in Starfield & Smith's Atlanta, Georgia office. He supports attorney Corrie Thrasher with loan closing, servicing and post-closing procedures in their Commercial Lending department. Brandon received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Law & Politics from Southern New Hampshire University, and his Paralegal Certificate through Clayton State University. Brandon is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and the Georgia Association of Paralegals (GAP).
Corrie is a partner in the Atlanta, Georgia office. She specializes in government guaranteed lending, commercial real estate, and banking.
Represents lenders, including banks and retail finance clients, in loan origination, servicing, and coordination of loan extensions and modifications.
Represents SBA lenders in ensuring loans are closed, serviced and liquidated in compliance with SBA rules, regulations and guidelines.
Represents business owners who are buying, selling, or forming a business by negotiating commercial leases and obtaining financing.
Additionally, Corrie navigates other general corporate governance issues, and has years of experience and a deep understanding of business law that helps her clients achieve their goals.
Corrie enjoys supporting her community. She has served as President of her local Rotary Club, and as a board member of the Robert D. Fowler YMCA and the Southwest Gwinnett Chamber. She has also served as various roles in the alumni chapters of the Georgia State University College of Law and Princeton University.
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Dana joined Starfield & Smith as a Legal Assistant with over 15 years of experience in the lending industry. Dana assists our attorneys with loan closings, and is also responsible for post-closing matters.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in paralegal studies from Pierce College in Philadelphia, PA.
Job Titles:
- Senior Counsel
- Co - Founder and Senior Counsel of Starfield & Smith
David oversees the closing and documentation of SBA loans; reviews lenders' SBA policies and procedures; provides advice on guaranty purchase matters; advises on technical questions pertaining to SBA loan eligibility; and notifies lenders and their in-house counsel of changes in SBA rules and regulations.
David is a co-founder and Senior Counsel of Starfield & Smith, P.C. In his legal capacity, David has been actively involved in all aspects of SBA lending for over 30 years. David represents and assists hundreds of lenders that participate in SBA's lending programs.
SBA Financial Services award recipient
Counsel to the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders' ("NAGGL") Board of Directors
Life Fellow of the ABA's American Bar Foundation for contributions to the legal profession
Writer, Instructor, Developer and Presenter of NAGGL courses and conference sessions
David oversees the closing and documentation of SBA loans; reviews lenders' SBA policies and procedures; provides advice on guaranty purchase matters; advises on technical questions pertaining to SBA loan eligibility; and notifies lenders and their in-house counsel of changes in SBA rules and regulations.
David is the proud grandfather of Harrison, Marley, Elijah and Isaac. David and his wife Pam love hiking in the Berkshires, going to the movies, traveling, and spending much of their free time with their adorable grandchildren.
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Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Associate in Starfield & Smith 's Fort Washington
Demetri focuses his practice on advising commercial lenders on SBA compliance and how to protect their assets and maximize gains.
Demetri is an Associate in Starfield & Smith's Fort Washington, Pennsylvania office. He is an enthusiastic litigator with significant advocacy experience who gets results both inside and outside the courtroom.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Co - Founder
- Shareholder
"Ethan handled our request in a timely fashion and was very responsive with my initial inquiry. There is a reason I've been dealing with your firm for over 20 years. Service and expertise are unmatched in the industry."
Ethan is a co-founder and is the CEO of Starfield & Smith. He focuses his practice in commercial law, with an emphasis on government guaranteed lending and conventional commercial lending.
Represents lenders in SBA licensing, compliance, regulatory enforcement, and guaranty purchase matters
Regularly represents lenders before the U.S. Small Business Administration
Designated closing counsel for several SBA Certified Development Companies
Active writer and speaker on SBA and other government guaranteed lending issues nationwide
Serves as an expert witness on SBA related matters
Ethan has prepared loan documents and performs compliance reviews for loan files for thousands of SBA 7(a), 504, conventional, and USDA B&I commercial loans. He has also closed numerous other complex conventional commercial financing transactions.
Ethan enjoys hiking, skiing, spending time with his family, and gardening.
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Gloria is a Legal Assistant with Starfield & Smith's Florida office. Gloria has over 20 years of experience in the legal field and has been Attorney Diaz's assistant since 2005. She provides loan closing support and works closely with clients on pre-closing and post-closing matters. Gloria attended Kean College of New Jersey and is a commissioned Florida Notary Public.
Jaime joined the firm as a Legal Assistant with over 15 years experience in the lending industry, then after almost 4 years with the firm, transitioned into the role of Paralegal. Jaime's responsibilities still include assisting the attorneys with loan closings and post-closing matters, however, in her new role she also works directly with clients to help confirm that SBA guidelines are being followed throughout the process, and assists with generating loan documents for client closings. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Bloomsburg University, as well as a post-graduate teaching certification from Gwynedd-Mercy College. Jaime is also a commissioned Notary Public.
"Janet provided thorough reviews of the documents we submitted and answered tons of questions posed by the borrower and seller for an extremely difficult closing."
Janet is a Shareholder in the firm's Fort Washington office. Her practice's primary focus is on commercial lending, business law, and real estate.
Advises on and closes conventional and government guaranteed loans for lenders across the U.S.
Approved closing attorney for Certified Development Companies
Works closely with local SBA District Counsel to insure the eligibility of 504 loan submissions for inclusion in the applicable monthly debenture fundings
Presents training webinars on government guaranteed lending issues for various organizations
Janet advises on corporate governance and assists clients with the various aspects of their business. These aspects include entity formations, licensing, sales, mergers, and real property acquisitions.
In her spare time, Janet is a wife and proud mom of two active boys and a boxer mix. She volunteers at her children's school, for Wills for Heroes, and as a judge for various student competitions at Widener University Delaware School of Law.
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"Jen Borra is a great partner to have in this business. Her knowledge, tenacity and drive make difficult transactions a pleasure."
Jennifer is a Shareholder in the firm. She focuses her practice on government guaranteed lending transactions and conventional commercial lending transactions. She has substantial experience counseling clients in connection with:
SBA and conventional loan processing, documentation, closing, funding, and servicing
SBA franchise eligibility analysis
SBA rules and regulations
SBA Guaranty purchase matters
As a closing attorney, Jennifer has closed and funded hundreds of loans for a wide range of financial institutions, including national banks, regional banks, community banks, credit unions, certified development companies, and non-bank lenders.
When she is not tirelessly working to get deals across the finish line, Jen is busy with her family and friends, volunteering, exercising, dancing, reading, and traveling.
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"Jen Borra is a great partner to have in this business. Her knowledge, tenacity and drive make difficult transactions a pleasure."
Jennifer is a Shareholder in the firm. She focuses her practice on government guaranteed lending transactions and conventional commercial lending transactions.
SBA and conventional loan processing, documentation, closing, funding, and servicing
Jessica is a Shareholder in Starfield & Smith's Fort Washington, PA office. She practices business law specializing in commercial lending and government guaranteed lending. She represents banks, credit unions and certified development companies in closing and funding loans.
Job Titles:
- President of Fort Washington Abstract, Inc
- Title Insurance Agent
Jessica Mullen is President of Fort Washington Abstract, Inc., our in-house title insurance company.
Jessica specializes in and provides expertise when insuring complex Commercial Real Estate title insurance transactions. Over more than fifteen years with the company, Jessica has independently managed and settled hundreds of these types of transactions.
Jessica is a licensed Title Insurance Agent in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey and possesses over twenty years of experience as a title and settlement officer.
In addition to managing Fort Washington Abstract, Inc., Jessica also serves as a liaison for our clients by networking them with title insurance agents and companies across the country for both commercial transactions and residential collateral properties.
Karen comes to Starfield & Smith with over 20 years of experience in the legal field. Karen's background includes real estate and private placement life insurance. She assists our attorneys with loan closings and is responsible for post-closing matters. Karen graduated with a paralegal certification from Manor College in Jenkintown, PA.
"I am so grateful to be working with Katherine again. I have had the pleasure of working with her at two different banks and no matter where I work, she will always be a constant."
Katherine is a Partner in the firm's Fort Washington office. She concentrates her practice on commercial financing, real estate, and corporate law.
Kathy joined Starfield & Smith's Florida office in 2016 as a Legal Assistant. Kathy's background includes real estate as well as commercial insurance. She assists our attorneys with loan closings and is responsible for post-closing matters. Kathy is a commissioned Florida Notary Public.
"Katie always does a great job representing us. There is no better compliment than a borrower walking from the table with a smile on their face and thank you's to go around. When a loan is closed properly and timely, everyone involved is very gracious."
Katie is a Shareholder in the Fort Washington office. She concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial lending, real estate and commercial contracts.
Advises lenders on eligibility matters and documenting and closing loans under the SBA 7(a) and USDA loan programs
Assists lenders in preserving and protecting their government guaranty
Assists lenders with respect to their closed SBA-guaranteed loan files by reviewing and preparing SBA guaranty repurchase packages and performing post closing audits
Drafts, analyzes and negotiates commercial loan documents
She has developed a reputation among her clients as being customer focused, responsive, efficient and detail oriented.
In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, three small children and dog, and loves the beach, reading, and traveling.
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Kim joined Starfield & Smith's Fort Washington office in 2020. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in Audubon, PA as a legal assistant/paralegal hybrid in a Medical Malpractice Defense firm. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lansdale School of Business with an Associate's Degree in Business Administration, with a focus in Paralegal Studies, in 2016.
"Kim Rayer jumped in to create a settlement statement and disburse - within one day. She went above and beyond to help me get my loan closed and reassured the borrower that their loan would be closed and funded on time. I cannot sing Kim's praises enough, I am extremely grateful."
Kim is a Shareholder and a member of the Executive Committee in the Fort Washington, PA office. She concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial lending, commercial contracts, and corporate law.
Advises lenders on eligibility, documenting and closing loans under the SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs
Assists lenders with loan modifications and loan workouts
Assists her clients in lien priority issues, intercreditor agreements, and creditor's rights in bankruptcy
Presenter on SBA loan documenting and closing for continuing education programs
Kim has guided companies through ESOP stock transactions, shareholder divorce, loan workout, and business acquisitions, as well as advising clients on day to day corporate and contract matters, such as confidentiality and joint venture agreements.
Kim and her husband enjoy family road trips with their two sons. She is a volunteer for Moms Demand Action and Cradles to Crayons.
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Kristen is an Associate in the Florida office. She concentrates her practice in the areas of government guaranteed lending, conventional commercial financing, and real estate. Kristen is a licensed title agent in Florida through our in-house title insurance company, Fort Washington Abstract, Inc. As closing counsel for various financial institutions, Kristen works to preserve and protect their government guaranty. With that aim in mind, she:
Analyzes SBA rules and regulations and provides guidance to lenders;
Advises lenders on eligibility matters;
Assists lenders with due diligence documentation, closing, funding, and servicing of loans; and
Drafts and negotiates documents for compliance with SBA 7(a), 504, and USDA loan programs.
Kristen has successfully closed many commercial finance transactions from start-up business transactions to complex real estate and business acquisitions. She has also assisted her clients with financings under the SBA CAPLine, Export Working Capital, USDA Business and Industry, and USDA Rural Development loan programs.
Kristen resides in Winter Park and loves spending time with her family and friends, watching college football (Go Gators!), and traveling.
Kristen comes to Starfield & Smith with over 10 years of billing, business management and human resource experience. Kristen has worked for several large companies where her duties included maintaining required compliance records for state agencies, maintaining all required insurance coverages, employee management and payroll along with handling payables as well as accounts receivable.
Job Titles:
- Senior Paralegal With Starfield & Smith 's Florida
Lissette is a Senior Paralegal with Starfield & Smith's Florida office. Lissette has 20+ years of SBA and conventional commercial lending experience. Her skills include reviewing and preparing loan documentation for conventional, SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, as well as loan closings and post closing services. Lissette holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA and is a commissioned Florida Notary Public.
"Lyndsay was responsive and always returned calls promptly no matter what time or day it was."
Lyndsay, a Shareholder in the Fort Washington office, focuses her practice on creditors rights.
Assists clients with lawsuits for money judgments
Provides guidance to clients with respect to the liquidation of SBA guaranteed loans
Guides lenders on foreclosures of real property
Lyndsay serves a wide range of clients, handling workouts, loan restructuring, and litigation.
Lyndsay enjoys running, serving the IWIRC as Treasurer, and participating on the committee of TMA's Network of Women (NOW).
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Margaret is the firm's Chief Operating Officer and serves on the Executive Committee. She oversees and implements office processes and procedures, working to make sure that things get done as efficiently and effectively as possible. She started at Starfield & Smith in 2015, switching careers after over 20 years of teaching music at all levels from preschool through college. The experience of establishing classrooms for student success transfers well into the professional administrative realm. Margaret holds a Bachelor of Music from George Mason University and a Master of Arts from the Pennsylvania State University.
Michelle Ayers joined the firm as a Paralegal with over 23 years of experience in creditor's rights, bankruptcy and foreclosure. She holds an Associate's Degree and a Paralegal Certificate from Peirce College, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies. Michelle's responsibilities include assisting our Litigation and Audit/ Guaranty Purchase attorneys with their associated matters.
"Michelle has always been thorough in her reviews and raises questions the lender might not have considered. She does a great job protecting the interest of the lender. Michelle provides feedback that is relevant to SBA SOP guidelines and references them in her reviews."
Michelle is an Associate in the Fort Washington, PA office. She is experienced in commercial lending, business banking, contracts, civil litigation, insurance defense, and subrogation.
Counsels business owners on general commercial matters
Provides guidance on eligibility issues and SBA compliance
Works with a wide variety of lenders
Michelle also has experience with insurance defense, coverage litigation, and general civil litigation. She has worked to educate borrowers on loan products and guidelines.
When not at work, Michelle likes to spend time with her family and cheer her kids on at their sporting events.
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Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at Starfield
Norman is a Partner at Starfield and Smith's Pennsylvania office. He concentrates his practice in complex commercial and corporate litigation, and white collar criminal defense.
Bob serves as the firm's Chief Financial Officer. He works closely with Messrs. Starfield and Smith to provide overall business leadership, and he supervises the financial, technology, marketing, human resources, and facilities functions. He also serves on the Executive Committee.
Before joining Starfield & Smith, Bob spent over sixteen years as Controller and then Chief Financial Officer of a large Philadelphia based law firm. A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Bob majored in accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania. He is a member of both the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.
Ryan joined Starfield & Smith in 2020 as a Legal Assistant. His responsibilities include assisting attorneys with loan closings and post-closing matters. Previously, he worked as a restaurant manager in several renowned restaurants in Center City, Philadelphia. He attended the Community College of Philadelphia for Paralegal Studies.
Sae joined Starfield & Smith's Fort Washington office in 2019 as a Legal Assistant and has now transitioned to a Paralegal. She assists our attorneys with loan documentation, loan closings and post-closing matters. She holds a paralegal certificate from Delaware County Community College and is a commissioned Notary Public.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal With Starfield & Smith 's Florida
Stacy is a Paralegal with Starfield & Smith's Florida office. She brings with her nearly 10 years of SBA Commercial Lending experience. Her skills include the preparation of SBA loan documentation, reviewing due diligence, monitoring loan closings, SBA loan packaging, processing loans and performing post-closing services. Stacy is a commissioned Florida Notary Public.
Stephen serves as Billing Coordinator to the Office Administrator. He has 20 years of experience providing highly effective office management, administrative and accounting support to businesses. His responsibilities include human resources, accounting functions and general administrative support.
Tara has over 12 years of experience in the lending industry, as well as eight years of billing and a background in business management. Her responsibilities include assisting the attorneys with loan closings and post-closing matters.
Outside of work, Tara is a busy step-mom of four kids, and enjoys reading, crafting and spending time with her family.
"Victor goes above and beyond to help our small CDC complete 504 loan projects, especially on complicated construction loans. He and his team are very responsive to my questions or needs."
Victor is a Shareholder and a member of the Executive Committee. He also manages Starfield & Smith's Florida office. He concentrates his practice in areas of financial, commercial, transactional, and property law.
Closed thousands of commercial transactions
Designated Closing Counsel for several Certified Development Companies
Has served as President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Victor's interests also include economic development, job creation, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
In his spare time, Victor enjoys traveling with his wife and four adult children. He is an avid photographer and music collector. Victor is a Francophile at heart and visits France frequently where he enjoys the architecture, culture and occasional wine.
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Willie joined Starfield & Smith as a Legal Assistant with over 25 years of experience in the Mortgage and Lending industry. She assists attorneys with loan closings as well as post-closings, and her background includes mortgage foreclosures and processing.