Our Team

At JM Law, you work with a team.


That means continuity, accessibility, and a group of people who genuinely know your family's situation. Here are the people who will be there with you for the long run.

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Founding Attorney

Jessica Marchegiano, Esq.


Jessica's focus is to provide peace of mind to her clients through carefully crafted plans that ensure the legacy they envision becomes a reality. She works tirelessly to identify and understand the personal values and goals behind each client's estate so that assets are protected both now and for future generations. An experienced estate attorney for more than 20 years, Jessica provides comprehensive estate, tax, gift, and charitable planning solutions for clients throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Estate PlanningTrust & Tax PlanningCharitable Planning
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Chief Operating Officer & Estate Planning Strategist

Avatus Stone


As COO and estate planning strategist, Avatus oversees the firm's operations, driving strategic growth and optimizing internal processes to ensure an exceptional client experience. With his extensive background in estate planning, business administration, and personnel management, he plays a key role in maintaining JM Law's high standards of service and efficiency. Avatus also supports the firm's legal team by overseeing the preparation of fundamental estate planning elements such as revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and medical directives.

OperationsEstate Planning StrategyDocument Preparation
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Senior Estate Planning Attorney

Kristen House


Kristen is a senior estate planning attorney who provides clients with everything from fundamental to advanced estate planning. Her unique experience includes serving as a senior trust administrator for an international bank, providing comprehensive trust administration, and advising clients in estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters. Kristen is known for her exceptional attention to detail, calm demeanor, and dedication to meeting each client's needs. She is licensed in Virginia and California.

Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
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Estate Planning Attorney

Nicola E. Castel


Nicola is a seasoned attorney who helps clients secure their financial legacies. She is dedicated to crafting thoughtful, personalized estate plans that protect assets, minimize tax burdens, and ensure her clients' wishes are carried out. Nicola's experience spans private equity and commercial lending, business structuring, and contract negotiations. Throughout her career, she has successfully structured and negotiated complex financing transactions and provided comprehensive legal guidance to small businesses, from formation to dispute resolution.

Estate PlanningBusiness StructuringAsset Protection
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Estate Planning Associate

Michael Dietz


Michael is an estate planning associate who creates and reviews will-based and trust-based plans. A member of the estate planning team since 2021, he is known for being thorough and responsive and for his ability to quickly put clients at ease. Michael graduated from Salisbury University and The Catholic University Columbus School of Law and is admitted to the bar in Maryland.

Estate PlanningWills & TrustsPlan Drafting
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Estate Planning Associate

Ramah Jaradat


Ramah is an estate planning associate. In addition to creating will- and trust-based plans, her experience includes trust administration, providing guidance on funding trusts, and developing strategies to minimize estate taxes. Ramah believes that compassion and empathy are integral to the practice of law and strives to foster a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard. She is admitted to the bar in D.C.

Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax Strategies
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Trust Administration Coordinator

Sandra Adams


Sandra assists clients with the myriad of administrative tasks related to post-mortem valuations and the allocation and distribution of assets. Her strong background in accounting, including 10 years at Ernst & Young, and her extensive experience in trust administration mean that she is fast, efficient, and accurate — a steady presence for families during some of the most demanding moments of administration.

Trust AdministrationPost-Mortem ValuationAsset Distribution
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Legal & Executive Assistant

Ximena Gamboa


Ximena is an experienced legal and executive assistant who specializes in estate and legacy planning. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her commitment to providing an exceptional experience for each JM Law client. Skilled in a wide range of systems and software, Ximena is also bilingual in English and Spanish.

Client ExperienceEstate & Legacy Planning SupportBilingual (EN/ES)

A Conversation, Not A Pitch

Ready to protect what matters most?

We offer free initial consultations. Reach out and we will typically respond within one business day.

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