Blog > Press Release > NEW HIRES EXPAND PRACTICE AREAS AT LOCAL LAW FIRM
Courtney McKeever and Carl Refuerzo Headshots

Press Release

NEW HIRES EXPAND PRACTICE AREAS AT LOCAL LAW FIRM

August 27, 2019

FRESNO, Calif. (August 21, 2019) — Local law firm Whitney, Thompson & Jeffcoach has hired three new attorneys to join their team. Carl Refuerzo, Partner, Courtney McKeever, Partner, and Anna Barcus Allen, Associate, join the firm with nearly 50 years of combined experience in transactional business law. These new team members will allow WTJ to expand their services, growing from a boutique litigation firm into a full-service, boutique business firm; a significant development for clients all over the Central Valley.

The new WTJ transactional department will specialize in assisting businesses in all aspects of
corporate and business law, from formation to operation or sale, including agribusiness, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, corporate compliance, and water law. These additions help to round out the business practice area in the firm, as the firm already has a breadth of knowledge concerning commercial law. WTJ regularly counsels its clients on employment compliance issues involving wage and hour violations, as well as anti-harassment and anti-discrimination regulations.

“We saw a high-quality group of lawyers with solid values who enjoyed practicing law in a team
environment. They had a clear vision of the law firm they wanted to be—not the biggest firm, just the best,” said Refuerzo. “WTJ prides itself on providing clients with the best legal advice while maintaining a work-life balance for its lawyers. We found that very attractive.”

Before joining WTJ, Refuerzo, McKeever, and Barcus Allen were with Baker Manock & Jensen PC in
Fresno. Carl Refuerzo, former managing partner at Baker Manock & Jensen, specializes in the areas of corporate and business law, agribusiness, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and water law. Courtney McKeever’s practice focuses on the formation of corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships and the representation of business, agribusiness, and healthcare clients with business contracts of all types. Anna Barcus Allen has successfully counseled clients in matters of business, real estate, employment counseling, agriculture, corporate governance, and finance, as well as healthcare. WTJ is thrilled to have these three dedicated, talented attorneys join their team.

This firm expansion comes on the heels of another hire: the Honorable James Ardaiz, retired
Administrative Presiding Justice from California’s Fifth District Court of Appeal. Prior to joining the WTJ team, he was with Baker, Manock & Jensen PC in Fresno since 2011. Since retiring from the Court of Appeal, Justice Ardaiz’s practice has primarily consisted of mediation, arbitration and appellate evaluation, and strategic planning in large litigation. His many years of success are a great asset to WTJ, especially during this period of change and growth.

“We are excited to expand the areas of expertise for our clients with lawyers who share our firm’s core values of teamwork and quality client service,” said Mandy Jeffcoach, a founding Partner. “We look forward to being able to provide all of our clients with the highest level of work, from start to finish, under one roof.”

Processing...
Thank you! Your subscription has been confirmed. You'll hear from us soon.
ErrorHere