HALPERN OLIVARES - Key Persons
Elie Halpern is the previous owner and founder of the firm and currently focuses his practice on Federal Court appeals in Social Security cases. Elie began his legal career clerking for the Colorado Supreme Court after graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1967. He then worked as a legal services attorney beginning in 1968, representing poor people in the State of Washington, Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk) and Palau. In 2006 and 2009, Elie and his wife of almost 50 years, spent several months doing volunteer work on Burma issues with human and environmental rights groups in Chiang Mai and Mae Sot, Thailand. He is a member of and has served as Treasurer of the World Peace through Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association.
Jamie Olivares is the owner of the firm. Prior to purchasing the firm, Jamie worked at Elie Halpern & Associates, PLLC for almost 16 years, working in various capacities including Legal Assistant, Certified Non-Attorney Representative, Office Manager, and Attorney.
Jamie earned her Paralegal degree from South Puget Sound Community College, Bachelor's Degree from The Evergreen State College and became an attorney via the Washington State Law Clerk Program. Elie Halpern was her mentor for the Law Clerk Program and taught her everything she knows regarding being an effective and compassionate Social Security advocate.
Jamie is a sustaining member of NOSSCR and NOVA member. She volunteers at Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services. She is a member of the Thurston County Bar Association and is admitted to practice in the Western District of Washington United States District Court. In her free time Jamie enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, running, baking and traveling.
Katie was born and raised in the Olympia area. After graduating from North Thurston High School, she attended Azusa Pacific University (APU) in Azusa, CA. She graduated in 2013 with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History. During that time, she volunteered with at-risk youth. After graduating from APU, Katie moved back to Washington and was hired by a local fireworks importer and wholesaler. She later became their Government and Tribal Affairs Liaison. During that time, Katie spoke in front of the Washington State Legislature to help successfully stop two proposed bills.
Katie began working for Halpern Olivares PLLC in the fall of 2016. When she is not working, Katie enjoys studying history, reading, traveling, playing volleyball and spending time with friends and family.
Kayla Vance is a US Navy veteran born and raised in the Puget Sound area in Washington State. She graduated from The Evergreen State College for both her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies & Public Policy in 2013 and her Master of Public Administration Degree with a focus in Public & Nonprofit Administration in 2016.
Since 2012, she has spent most of her post-military time, focusing on veterans' needs and hardships of adjusting to the civilian life through previous work for the Thurston County WorkSource as a Veteran Representative and her education within The Evergreen State College. Kayla is an active NOVA member and volunteers with the non-profit organization the Veterans' Family Fund of America. Before taking over as the Veterans' Advocate, Kayla trained with Mark Bean, the firm's former VA Accredited Agent, who had been with the firm for 18 years until his retirement in 2017. When Kayla is not working, she enjoys spending her free time with her children and husband, a 13 year Army veteran, anywhere that will bring Kayla and her family close to the water.
MaLeah was born in Olympia, WA and has lived in the surrounding areas since. After graduating from CHOICE Alternative High School in 2015, she attended Olympic College and received her AA Degree. Prior to joining Halpern Olivares in the summer of 2020, MaLeah worked at an established law firm in Shelton for 5 years where she gained invaluable experience.
Other than her passion for being a legal assistant, MaLeah is an artist and has been creating mosaics since 2012. In her spare time, she is on the Board of Directors for the Housing Opportunities for Students in Transition which helps homeless youth in Mason County stay fed, warm, and on track to graduate.
Pearl was born and raised in Olympia, Washington. She has a love for learning and studied a range of topics from human physiology and nutrition to makeup design and theater arts at Brigham Young University. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the Evergreen State College and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. Program. Pearl is also an accomplished makeup artist, providing services to a variety of clients in her spare time. Pearls drive for learning and taking on new challenges has led her to pursue a career in the legal field where she hopes to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
In her free time, Pearl enjoys researching, eating as much Thai food as she can and playing strategic board games with her friends and family. She also enjoy weight lifting, swing and salsa dancing, and spending time outdoors, soaking up the beautiful Pacific Northwest.