Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC Staff
Sylvia Nissenboim, MSW, LCSW
Ms. Nissenboim, MSW, LCSW acts as Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC's Client Care Coordinator focusing on geriatric care issues, family support and care coordination and counseling related issues. She brings a significant amount of training and experience to her position with the firm. She received her Master's in Social Work from St. Louis University in 1981 and has been managing and developing aging services since 1982. She began her social work career directing the Jewish Community Center's Adult Day Services program. Over the next 18 years, the program was recognized as a national model, training professionals throughout the country, both for center management as well as for innovative dementia care programming. She was named a Robert Wood Johnson Partner's in Care Giving Mentor, coaching adult day care directors in center management nationwide. In 2000, she moved to the American Red Cross administering their three adult day centers, and in 2003 opened up a fourth center.
She is a published author, national speaker and consultant on matters related to aging. She has provided training at local, state and national conferences on a variety of aging topics, from adult day service management, to dementia care programming marketing, coaching, and many other topics of relevance. In 2003 she was appointed to the Missouri Governor's Advisory Council on Aging, serving as its President from 2004-2006. She is a founding member and past President of the Missouri Adult Day Care Association.
At Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC, Sylvia has been a tremendous resource for families caught in the midst of crisis. Because of the pressure of dealing with a sick or failing loved one, concerned family members are oftentimes unable to assess the current needs of their loved one and obtain the proper resources for them. Sylvia has been successful in helping families through the crisis they face by assessing the risk and providing solutions that will maintain the health, happiness and safety of their loved one. Sylvia, who works in conjunction with our attorneys, has the training, background and compassion to help families navigate through the aging process.
Beverly House
Beverly received her Associates Degree in Secretarial Science from Jefferson College in 1970. She started working immediately as a legal secretary for a prominent law firm in Hillsboro, MO and has over 35 years experience in the legal field. She joined Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC in 2000 as the Office Manager. She is responsible for all aspects of office management, including staff and productivity, office equipment, vendors, client relations, billing, new systems and procedures. Beverly is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators including the St. Louis Gateway Chapter.
Beverly and her husband enjoy traveling and spending time with their five grandchildren. She is also an advocate for pet adoption through shelters and/or rescue organizations.
Cathy Hanewinkel
Cathy joined the firm in June 2000. She is employed as a Legal Assistant involved primarily in all aspects of the phases of Medicaid. She has vast knowledge in the firm's practice and office procedures. Prior to Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC, her experience included employment as a legal secretary in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a firm practicing litigation and corporate law. She enjoys her work, respects her clients' needs, and will go the extra mile to assist them. Cathy has guardianship of a brother with special needs who has spent much of his life in a facility.
Cathy enjoys camping, float trips, sporting events, walking, gardening, and spending time with her three children.
Paula Wingate
Paula joined the firm in August 2006. Paula is an Administrative Assistant, shares the Receptionist duties and is employed part-time. Prior to joining Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC, Paula worked for 21 years in the airline industry. This experience allowed Paula to make the transition to a busy law firm, where her skills are utilized with the day-to-day activities which include typing, copying, opening and maintaining all case files for the firm, and assisting with client calls.
In her free time, Paula enjoys traveling, especially in Rome, and spending time with her four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Pat Unser
Pat is a Legal Assistant in the Estate Planning practice area. She has worked in the legal profession since 1999, and in the estate planning area since 2001. Pat earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and has 20 years experience in the Information Technology field, primarily in the area of data security. She is married and has two children.
Shirley Schrumpf
Shirley has served in a support staff capacity for Martha Brown for 18 years. She currently serves as the Probate Paralegal responsible for all guardianships/conservatorships, decedent estates, and trust administration.
Many clients come to us in a time of crisis. Shirley's mother had Alzheimer's. At that time, the term was not well known. The family scrambled to get the proper legal documents prepared before it was too late. Her parents were married for over 50 years and yet had to be separated because her mother could no longer live safely at home and her father couldn't take care of her. It broke the family's hearts. Alzheimer's families have a very special place in Shirley's heart because she has walked in their shoes.
Dawn House
Dawn attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration specializing in Marketing. She joined the firm in May of 2009 as Marketing Coordinator. Dawn's responsibilities include representing the firm at fairs and conferences, creating the firm's quarterly newsletter, and keeping the firm's website and Facebook page current. Previously, she worked for a Public Relations company in St. Louis. Dawn is married with three children. Besides spending time with her family she enjoys gardening, canning, sewing and scrapbooking.
Christine Couch
Christine Couch joined the firm full time in April 2011 after working part-time for 18 months. As a Legal Assistant, she assists clients with Veterans’ pensions and Aid and Attendance applications. She began working in the legal field after 12 years as a business owner and 17 years as a Marketing Manager in the soft-drink and photography industries. Her communication, event-planning and marketing skills prepared her for working with clients facing many challenges.
Christine’s time away from work is spent reading, spending time with her grandchildren or pursuing her love of photography.
Colleen Brown
Colleen attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism, emphasizing in Natural Resources. Go Tigers! After spending several years as a residential camp director and teaching outdoor education, she switched careers to the legal field. Colleen joined Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC in February 2012 as legal assistant to Martha C. Brown and Micah Huff. Prior to joining Martha C. Brown & Associates, she worked as a legal secretary at a St. Louis firm.
Colleen grew up in Kirkwood and after moving away from the area, was glad to return to her hometown. She enjoys playing soccer, tennis, running, traveling to Florida, swimming and spending time with her two children.
Linda Davis
Linda worked as a Legal Secretary for over 40 years before joining Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC in October 2011. Linda is an Administrative Assistant and shares the Receptionist duties by answering the telephone, greeting clients, helping with overflow typing and general daily activities.
In her free time, Linda enjoys her grandchildren, gardening, playing the piano and traveling.
Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC assist clients with Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the surrounding areas including Arnold, Ballwin, Barnhart, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Black Jack, Bonne Terre, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Cedar Hill, Chesterfield, Clayton, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Crystal City, Des Peres, DeSoto, Ellisville, Farmington, Fenton, Festus, Ferguson, Florissant, Fredericktown, Frontenac, Hazelwood, Herculaneum, High Ridge, Hillsboro, House Springs, Imperial, Kirkwood, Ladue, Lake St. Louis, Manchester, Maplewood, Maryland Heights, Mehlville, Normandy, O'Fallon, Olivette, Pacific, Pevely, Richmond Heights, St. Ann, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Peters, Ste. Genevieve, Sunset Hills, Town & Country, University City, Union, Valley Park, Washington, Webster Groves, Wentzville , Wildwood.
