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About Varvara M. Gokea
ATTORNEY
After assisting with lengthy probate and the guardianship issues following the untimely death due to cancer of a dear friend, Varvara M. Gokea decided to continue helping families nominate guardianships for their minor children and create effective estate plans designed to reduce taxes while minimizing interference from the courts when families transfer assets to their loved ones.
After fifteen years representing clients in immigration matters, Ms. Gokea added Estate Planning to her practice to provide families the peace of mind that comes from having an estate plan in place.
Today, the firm provides families with assistance in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, and Estates' Administration. Recently, VM Gokea Law Group added Business Planning to its portfolio of client services.
INVOLVEMENT
Ms. Gokea has actively participated in numerous community and civic organizations and volunteered for the public benefit on a pro bono basis. She volunteered for the New York City Bar in representing abused mothers, and presently, she volunteers for New York Law School Safe Passage Project, representing children in special juvenile proceedings. While her children were growing up and attended The Greek Cathedral School, Ms. Gokea was the PA President and member of the Board of Trustees for the Cathedral Education. She is an active member of the Hellenic American Professional Women helping young professionals launch their careers as she serves on the Board of Directors of Energize Laboratories, a tech company financed by Columbia University.
EDUCATION
Ms. Gokea received her Masters's Degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from the Bucharest Institute of Technology in Romania and her Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law in Delaware and New York Law School in New York City.
Ms. Gokea is admitted to practice in New York and the New Jersey States, the Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, and The United States Supreme Court.
Ms. Gokea is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Elder Law; the New York City Bar Association, Estate Planning Mentoring Circles; American Immigration Lawyers Association; as well as the New Jersey Bar Associations.
PERSONAL
Varvara and her husband, George Gokea, are married for 25 years and have two sons, Rienzi (Enzi) Patrick Gokea (attending Columbia University in the City of New York – Mechanical Engineering) and Siegfried (Ziggy) Theodore Gokea (attending New York University- Stern Business School).
Our Team
Varvara M Gokea
Attorney
After assisting with lengthy probate and the guardianship issues following the untimely death due to cancer of a dear friend, Varvara M. Gokea decided to continue helping families nominate guardianships for their minor children and create effective estate plans designed to reduce taxes while minimizing interference from the Courts when families transfer assets to their loved ones.
After fifteen years representing clients in immigration matters, Ms. Gokea added Estate Planning to her practice to provide families the peace of mind that comes from having an estate plan in place.
Today, the firm provides families with assistance in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate, and Estates' Administration. Recently, VM Gokea Law Group added Business Planning to its portfolio of client services.
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Rienzi Patrick Gokea
Community Relations Coordinator
As Community Relations Coordinator for VM Gokea Law, Rienzi uses innovative methods to communicate with the public, our professional affiliates, and most importantly, our clients. Since his sophomore year at Columbia University, Rienzi has been involved in client relations and marketing, majors in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Also, Rienzi is responsible for our automation and electronic communications. He has pursued several entrepreneurial ventures being the CEO of Energize Laboratories, learning that marketing begins with a solid relationship with your clients.
Rienzi was born, bred, and educated in New York City and a member of the NCAA Champions – Columbia Fencing Team. He’s a saber fencer since 12 years old, Nationally ranked, and proudly has represented the United States at International Fencing World Cups.
Laney Lyons-Richardson
Plan Drafting Coordinator
Laney has over 15 years of experience in the estate planning industry. After managing an estate planning law firm for 12 years, she continued to train law firm teams across the country in estate planning processes, hiring, and team building. Also, she co-authored Don’t Be a Yes Chick and is the co-founder of The Ultimate Smart Solution, LLC, teaching team members how to support an entrepreneur. She now coordinates and manages the plan drafting process for the firm.
Bari Vallas
Trust Funding Coordinator
Since 2005 (and after 20 years as a practicing attorney and civil litigator), Bari has been developing trust funding expertise by working with estate planning attorneys and their clients across the United States. Now, as Funding Coordinator for the firm, Bari helps review and organize clients’ asset information. She works closely with Marc and his clients to ensure that their trusts are properly funded so their estate plans will work as intended when the time comes.
Happy Clients
