Attorney and Staff Profiles

Jack N. Alpern

Founder and Shareholder

Jack N. Alpern is the founder and shareholder in the Warren, Ohio law firm of Jack N. Alpern Co., L.P.A. Mr. Alpern graduated from the Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences earning a degree in history and political science.

Mr. Alpern received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Ohio State University College of Law, where he was the recipient of the George W. Wrightmire award for leadership. He also completed both Basic and Advanced Estate Planning courses at Case Western University College of Law after admission to the Bar. In addition, Mr. Alpern completed 130 hours of classroom training to become a Family Wealth Counselor, thereby acquiring techniques to enable clients to transfer their wealth to heirs with meaning and significance.

Mr. Alpern is a member of the State Bar of Ohio and the Ohio State and Trumbull County Bar Associations. He has been a frequent lecturer at Continuing Education seminars for attorneys, through the Ohio Legal Center Institute in Columbus, Ohio and the National Business Institute in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In addition, Mr. Alpern has presented estate planning classes and seminars for Kent State University, Trumbull Campus, the Warren Tribune Chronicle and local industry and civic groups. Attorney Alpern has presented more than one hundred seminars, both public and private, on the subject of estate planning. Mr. Alpern has also been invited to teach estate planning seminars for local industries, brokerage firms and insurance companies. He has presented estate planning seminars on behalf of financial institutions for attorneys throughout Eastern Ohio. Most recently, he has served as an instructor for Chautauqua Institution in western New York, teaching a course entitled, “The Inheritance We Leave to Our Heirs…a Blessing or a Curse.” He also appeared as a guest speaker for PBS Channels 45 & 49 in Akron, Ohio, presenting the topic, “How to Pay for Nursing Home Costs”, as part of the “Caring for Your Parents” workshop.

Mr. Alpern co-authored “Actions and Proceedings Relating to Wills” a continuing legal education manual for attorneys, published by the Ohio Legal Center Institute in Columbus, Ohio.

He is a top rated Avvo attorney in 2019.

Raymond J. Michaels, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Ray joined the firm in January 2016 and works as an Associate Attorney, primarily focusing on Estate and Trust Administration. Ray obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from Youngstown State University in 2010, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with Minors in Philosophy and Political Science. Ray then went on to attend Case Western Reserve University School of Law, obtaining his Juris Doctor in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, Ray worked at the Trumbull County Probate Court as a Physical Inventory Clerk and Deputy Clerk. Ray takes great pride in assisting the families of the deceased in the expeditious settlement of the corresponding Estates and Trusts, as well as the fulfillment of the deceased’s final wishes.

In his spare time, Ray enjoys doing genealogy and traveling.

Andrew A. Popp, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Attorney Popp joined the Alpern Law Firm in April of 2020. He attended the University of South Florida and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Political Science, graduating cum laude. From there, Andrew attended Stetson Law School where he obtained his Juris Doctor with a certificate of concentration in advocacy in 2014. While at Stetson, Andrew received numerous awards, including the Doyle Conflict Resolution Inc. Top Grade Award, and the Leadership Development certificate. Additionally, while in law school Andrew was a member of the American Bar Association and served as the National Liaison for law students for the SEER section, as well as the Lt. Governor for the 5th Circuit of the Law Student Division.
Upon graduation, Andrew served as an Assistant State Attorney for Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit. In that capacity, Mr. Popp obtained extensive experience in the Courtroom including motions practice, evidentiary hearings and both jury and non-jury trials. Since then, Andrew has continued to serve the public, advocating for the little guy against corporate and governmental adversaries.
Prior to law school, Mr. Popp worked for approximately 10 years in the health care industry. As such, he has a wealth of knowledge regarding Medicare and Medicaid issues as well as HIPAA and other health care related matters.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Andrew is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, fishing, and is a certified open-water SCUBA diver. He is married to his wife Angela, and has two children and a dog.

Laura A. Easton

Paralegal and Marketing Coordinator

Laura Easton joined The Alpern Law Firm in April of 2012 as a Paralegal and has been working as the Marketing Coordinator since July of 2018. Laura holds an Associate Degree in Legal Assisting Technology from Kent State University and graduated in May of 2012. Laura is currently working towards her marketing certification through a program with The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. As a paralegal, Laura takes great joy in helping families create individualized Estate Plans and assisting families in protecting their legacies. When it comes to marketing, Laura likes taking a little idea and helping to turn it into a successful event. Laura believes that every family and every idea deserves attention and commitment.

Laura is married to her husband, Nate, and they have two children, Olivia and Lucas. When Laura isn’t watching her children at one of their numerous sporting events, she enjoys reading and going to flea markets.

Fun Facts About Laura:

Laura and her husband are huge Cleveland sports fans! Go Browns!! Go Indians!!
She loves running in 5Ks! She might not be the fastest, but she always has a blast!
Laura and her family love watching dirt track racing and you can find them most weekends in the summer cheering on their favorite drivers at Sharon Speedway.

Jessica L. Patterson

Paralegal

Jessica joined the firm in November of 2013 and is now the firm’s Document Production Paralegal, Estate Plan Signing Paralegal and Receptionist. Jessica holds an Associate’s Degree in Legal Assisting Technology from Kent State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University. As a paralegal Jessica takes great pride in making sure client’s wishes are written out in their Estate Plans and making sure every client has a complete understanding of their estate planning documents during the signing process.

Jessica is married, to her husband, Larry and they have 3 fur kids, Gemma, Brutus and Zeke. In her spare time, she likes to read, go cheer on her nieces and nephew in their sporting events and play with her dogs.