Meet the Attorneys

Lawvex_Gary-Winter_CEO

Gary L. Winter

CEO

Mergers and Acquisitions, Commercial Real Estate, Family Business Succession Planning, Charitable Gift Planning. Mr. Winter is the founder and CEO of Lawvex. He has over 16 years of experience in business, estate and real estate matters in Central California. Mr. Winter is a sought after speaker and podcast guest on cloud-based and decentralized law practice management, marketing, remote work, charitable giving, solar and cryptocurrency. Mr. Winter is an Adjunct Faculty member and Professor of Legal Technology at San Joaquin College of Law and a licensed airline transport pilot.

Franklin R. Spees

CCRM, TCS, LEED, AP, VICE PRESIDENT

Zoning Land Use, Conditional Use Permits, Lot Splits, City/County Approvals, Multi-Family Investment Structures, Tax Credit Housing Projects. Investment Property Expert: 12 years of experience owning and operating, multi-family investment-grade real estate and property management company managing hundreds of units in California, a former City planner with understanding and background in City/County approval process for zoning, land use, and conditional use permit entitlements. Learn More about Concierge legal services for property managers.

Franklin Spees-Vice President, Zoning, Land Use, Conditional Use Permits, Lot Splits, CityCounty Approvals, Multi-Family Investment Structures, Tax Credit Housing Projects
David Rowell-Trust and Estate Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Employee Defense

David L. Rowell

PARTNER

Litigation and Mediation Expert, David has over 25 years of state and federal court experience in civil litigation, trustee/beneficiary disputes, objections to executor/trustee accountings, and property disputes.

Lana Clark Schutz

OF COUNSEL, CERTIFIED SPECIALIST, ESTATE PLANNING, TRUST & PROBATE

Lana Clark Schutz is a Certified Estate & Trust Specialist, certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. With over 25 years of estate planning, trust administration, probate, conservatorship, and estate and trust experience, Lana has counseled generations of families in the Santa Ynez Valley and other Santa Barbara County areas. Lana continues the tradition of dedicated service and practical guidance in creating plans to pass assets on to future generations and beneficiaries.

Partner at an estate law firm.
Amanda Neal Veteran's Benefits, Medi-Cal Benefits, Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Business Entity Formation

Amanda M. Neal

PARTNER

Veteran’s Benefits, Medi-Cal Benefits, Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Business Entity Formation

Catarina M. Benitez

PARTNER

Ms. Catarina M. Benitez is a fierce advocate for families, homeowners, and businesses. She is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Fresno County Bar Association, and Fresno County Women Lawyers Association. Ms. Benitez currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Fresno County Bar Association. Ms. Benitez is admitted to practice before all of the courts of the State of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for every district of CA.

Law office attorney.
Logan-Howard-Estate-Planning-Probate-Trust-Business

Logan R. Howard

ATTORNEY

Logan R. Howard is passionate about helping others with their Trusts and Estates needs. As a Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County community member, Logan volunteers with local organizations and loves supporting local and small businesses. He is a member of the Santa Ynez Valley Bar Association, Santa Barbara County Bar Association, Fresno County Bar Association, Kern County Bar Association, and Los Angeles County Bar Association. Logan is admitted to practice before all of the courts of the State of California.

Rex A. Haught

OF COUNSEL

Rex has been practicing law for 37 years, 27 in private practice, and 10 years as in-house counsel with Chicago Title Company. Areas of private practice include estate planning, real property transactions, estate & trust administration, elder law, and business transactions. Degrees include BA from Azusa Pacific College; Master of Social Science from University of Southampton, UK; and JD from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific.

In house counsel at an estate law firm.

Mark Edwards

ATTORNEY

Mark has provided estate and business planning, probate, and trust administration services since 2005. His other work includes over six years of experience in the construction industry handling all aspects of California public works projects through pre-litigation. He is a member of the Contracts Committee of the California Legal Advisory Committee for the Association of General Contractors and holds two insurance specialist designations (i.e., Construction Risk and Management Liability Risk) through the International Risk Management Institute.

JORDAN OROZCO

ATTORNEY

Jordan was born and raised in Santa Barbara County. She attended Santa Barbara City College, earning three Associate’s Degrees in Liberal Arts before attending the Santa Barbara Colleges of Law at 19 years old. In 2023, Jordan will have earned her Juris Doctorate from the Colleges of Law. Jordan is a passionate learner who loves to help people achieve their goals. She is passionate about providing justice to those in need. In her personal time, Jordan enjoys exercising, going on long walks in nature, reading books, sunbathing and spending time with loved ones. Jordan is honored to be a part of the Lawvex team.