Stinar Zendejas Burrell & Wilhelmi

Bios

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  John M. Stinar

  Founding Partner & Attorney

  John M. Stinar was born October 6, 1956, in Los Angeles, California. He attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He received his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California. John graduated cum laude and attended the University of Santa Clara on the Carroll Academic Scholarship. During his undergraduate years, John was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Business Honor Society, and the Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society. After graduation from college, he worked in the tax department of Price Waterhouse in San Jose, California while attending law school at the University of Santa Clara. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY He was admitted to the California Bar in 1981, to practice before the United States Tax Court in 1983 and to the Colorado Bar in 1985. John joined the Colorado Springs law firm of Braden & Frindt as an associate in March 1986. He became a partner on January 1, 1989, and the firm name was changed to Braden, Frindt & Stinar, LLC. In April 2000, Ralph Braden retired from the practice of law and John formed Stinar Law Group, LLC, as the managing partner.

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  Link: John M. Stinar

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  M. James Zendejas

  Founding Partner & Attorney

  M. James Zendejas was born in Colorado Springs in March of 1968. After attending high school in Colorado Springs, Jim attended Cornell College. At Cornell, Jim earned the degree of Bachelor of Arts, majoring in both History and Politics. Jim played varsity soccer, was elected to several student government positions, including Student Body President, and he earned Special Distinctions in Politics, and graduated cum laude. Jim attended the University of Notre Dame Law School, and graduated in 1993. At Notre Dame, Jim was on the Dean’s List several times, and participated in various intramural sports. Since being admitted to the bar in 1993, Jim’s practice has emphasized in the area of civil litigation. After clerking for Retherford, Mullen, Johnson & Bruce, LLC (one of the largest insurance defense firms in Colorado Springs) for the summers of 1991 and 1992, Jim joined the firm as an associate in October of 1993. While there, Jim’s practice included trial work (civil litigation), insurance coverage disputes and appellate work. Jim joined Braden, Frindt & Stinar, LLC, in June of 1998 and Jim’s area of expertise concentrates almost exclusively in commercial litigation, including construction, employment, general business, property disputes and litigation. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY Jim is also involved in the Sacred Heart Youth Ministry (Confirmation leader), has served on the Sacred Heart Finance Council, and enjoys coaching and playing soccer. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.

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  Link: M. James Zendejas

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  Ian P. Burrell

  Partner & Attorney

  A native of Colorado Springs, Ian Burrell attended high school at Air Academy earning three State Championships for the Kadets in Cross-Country and Track and Field. His running career landed him a scholarship at the University of Georgia where he graduated Cumme Laude with degrees in Criminal Justice and Spanish. Athletically, he garnered three All-American certificates for the Bulldogs and left Athens, Georgia with four school records. Most importantly, he met his beautiful wife and convinced her to move out west. His legal career began with an undergraduate internship at the Colorado Springs Public Defender assisting attorneys with their caseloads and Spanish interpretation. After college, he moved to the transactional side of law and spent two years working for Shorall McGoldrick and Brinkmann, a Flagstaff, Arizona firm focused on Real Estate and Business Planning. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY Ian attended the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, a top fifty-ranked law school in the United States. During the three-year program, he experienced success in a variety of disciplines finishing in the top half of the class academically, receiving the George Rountree honorary scholarship, maintaining a two-year internship with the Department of Homeland Security, earning a top fifteen finish at the 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trials, and helping his wife with their daughter and son. After a brief stint practicing criminal law in Arizona, Ian has relocated to his hometown to continue his career and raise a family.

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  Link: Ian P. Burrell

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  Christopher G. Wilhelmi

  Partner & Attorney

  Mr. Wilhelmi joined Stinar Zendejas & Gaithe after working for the Colorado Department of Law’s Employment Tort Unit where he litigated civil employment matters. Prior to this work he primarily practiced state and federal civil litigation, employment law, and ERISA at a boutique firm in San Jose, California. Before he became an attorney, Chris worked for about nine years as an engineer and businessman for General Electric, Gexpro, and Rexel, working in seven states and three countries. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY Chris is originally from Maryland and after residing in many states has settled here in Colorado with his wife and two daughters. Chris enjoys his free time with his family, coaching youth sports, and volunteering.

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  Paul G. Kloster

  Partner & Attorney

  Paul Kloster is a transactional attorney who practices in the areas of business law and real estate. A Colorado Springs native, Paul attended Air Academy High School and was a two-year letterman in Tennis. Paul graduated from Syracuse University magna cum laude with degrees in Geography, History, and Journalism. He pursued his juris doctorate at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law as the recipient of the Howard L. Aaron Leadership Scholarship. During the three-year program, Paul was actively involved with Moot Court and the University’s Environmental Law Clinic, while also working as a law clerk at the United States Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, Paul returned to Colorado Springs as an associate at a local commercial law firm. In April 2018, he joined Stinar Zendejas & Gaithe, PLLC. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY Paul is admitted to practice law in Colorado and Maryland. He is an active member of the El Paso County Bar Association and the Home Builder’s Association of Colorado Springs. When not in the office, Paul enjoys hiking, rock climbing and playing ultimate frisbee with his wife.

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  Trudy H. House

  Partner & Attorney

  While earning a Bachelor of Arts in French from Arizona State University, Trudy House relocated to northern France where she finished her degree through a study abroad program. After teaching English as a foreign language for two years, Trudy returned to Arizona to attend law school. During her three years at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, Trudy gained experience through internships and clerking positions including the United States Attorney’s Office, United States District Court, North & Barron, a private law firm, and a summer position with the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps, in Furth, Germany. Through the law school, Trudy held the position of Coordinator for the Advocacy Program for Battered Women and volunteered with the Homeless Shelter Project. Trudy began her legal career as a criminal prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, in Phoenix, Arizona. She moved to Colorado Springs in 1994, where she continued to work in the criminal law field with the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Trudy extended her practice areas by establishing a solo practice, of which the majority was as Guardian ad Litem in Dependency and Neglect cases, but also included criminal defense, domestic relations, and as a court attorney for Woodland Park. Trudy completed mediation training and regularly volunteered her time as a mediator for the Better Business Bureau, Small Claims Court, and the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office. She worked as a staff attorney for the El Paso County Child Support Services Unit for three years, before focusing her practice on assisting clients through the difficult process of divorce. Divorce can be a difficult and emotionally stressful time for everyone involved. Because every case is unique, Trudy will take the time to listen to you and understand your goals in the legal process. She treats all clients with compassion and respect, guides them through every step of the case, and vigorously protects their interests while maintaining high ethical and professional standards.

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  Link: Trudy H. House

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  Brenten A. Ward

  Partner & Attorney

  Brenten Ward is a litigation and criminal defense attorney who grew up in Colorado Springs. He attended Cheyenne Mountain High School, where he lettered in both hockey and lacrosse. Brenten graduated from Colorado State University, where he played collegiate hockey for the Rams and graduated with his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice while minoring in Business. Brenten pursued his Juris Doctorate degree at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California, where he graduated Cum Laude. Brenten received an American Jurisprudence award in both Legal Writing and Professional Responsibility. Brenten was actively involved with the criminal law society and the school’s legal clinic while attending law school. Upon graduation, Brenten returned to Colorado Springs and began his career with Stinar Zendejas & Gaithe, PLLC. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY Brenten is admitted to practice law in Colorado. He is an active member of the El Paso County Bar Association. When not in the office, Brenten enjoys playing hockey, golfing and spending time with his family and friends. Brenten also volunteers his time coaching youth hockey.

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  Evan C. Withrow

  Partner & Attorney

  Evan Withrow is originally from rural Montana, where he grew up working on his family’s wheat farm. He attended Gonzaga University in Washington and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Evan came to Colorado to attend law school at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law where he was lucky enough to meet his wife, in addition to obtaining his juris doctorate. Since becoming a licensed attorney, Evan has practiced in various areas of the law including employment law, civil litigation, and transactional. He also spent time working in multiple legislative offices. Evan’s current practice is primarily transactional, with a focus in estate planning, business law, and real estate. He also continues to assist businesses in the areas of employment law compliance and human resources consulting. PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY Evan is admitted to practice law in Colorado and California. He is a member of the Colorado and the El Paso County Bar Associations. Evan is an avid movie collector but also enjoys both playing and watching sports. He and his wife live in Colorado Springs with their twin girls and enjoy spending time outdoors geocaching (treasure hunting).

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  Link: Evan C. Withrow

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  Amanda J. Quesada

  Partner & Attorney

  Amanda Quesada moved to Colorado to attend Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver. Prior to Colorado, she lived in Tampa, FL where she graduated from the University of South Florida with a focus on relational communications and marketing. While she is originally a California native, Colorado’s mountains and adventures stole her heart. Professional & Community While attending Sturm College of Law, Amanda focused on earning her Corporate and Commercial Law Certificate. She volunteered with the Tribal Wills Project, which was created to provide indigenous people with free estate planning options. During her time with Tribal Wills Project, a passion for helping families plan and protect their future came to light. She joined Stinar & Zendejas in 2022. Amanda is family-oriented and is a caregiver for her mother and her son, Andrew. Andrew loves to go on outdoor adventures with their dog and plays soccer and basketball with his friends.

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  Link: Amanda J. Quesada