Our Team

Ms. Reed, the principal of MFR, is licensed to practice law in Washington and Oregon and is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. Ms. Reed is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) by both the Human Resource Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); a certificate holder in investigations from the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI); certified by CliftonStrengths as a strengths coach; and certified as a mediator by the Washington State Mediation Association. Additionally, Ms. Reed has:
 

• More than thirty years of legal experience, primarily in the areas of employment law (e.g., discrimination, retaliation, harassment, workplace violence, disability issues), investigation services, executive coaching, and mediation.

• Experience as an employment attorney with a national law firm, in-house counsel (The Boeing Company), executive management (Director of Employee Relations for Boeing), investigator, expert witness, and trainer.

• Background in labor relations, including grievances, midterm negotiations, strike operations, and as a hearing officer and arbitrator.

Janell Hafner is a senior investigator and human resources consultant. Ms. Hafner offers years of exceptional experience as a trainer, advisor, and advocate. Ms. Hafner has:

• For three years, served as the Government Partnerships Lead for Clearbrief, a legal services technology firm.

• For fourteen years, served with the State of Alaska in roles of increasing responsibility—solicitor general, civil appeals, chief assistant attorney general, and assistant attorney general.

• In October 2024, was awarded by the Alaska Attorney General with the 2024 AG Pro Bono Award for her outstanding legal representation of domestic violence victims.

Bill Reed is the chief financial officer for MFR Associates; an executive coach; holds a certificate in investigations from AWI; and is a certified fraud examiner, mediator, and forensic accountant.    Mr. Reed has over thirty years of senior and mid-level financial and operation experience: Microsoft Corporation; Nortel Networks; ISC Systems, Inc.; and Everett Community College.     Mr. Reed has:

• Established accounting, finance, and operations teams at three different companies.
• Managed software and hardware products turnkey manufacturing operation for Microsoft-North America operations.
• Driven organizational planning process for several mid/large organizations.
• Launched several new accounting and finance courses.
• Redesigned business program curricula.
• Conducted workplace and fraud investigations across a variety of sectors.

Melina Rivera is an investigator and human resources consultant. Ms. Rivera has:

• More than seven years’ experience as nonprofit operations director for a nonprofit focused on advancing equity and climate/environmental justice, including oversight of HR.
• Three years’ experience as an organizational design, development, and business process consultant.
• Three years’ experience in office management at a community health care center, including supervision of staff, oversight of HR, and responsibility for organizational safety practices (10+ sites for 1.5 years).
• Certificate in nonprofit management.

About Anne M. Preston

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Nearly 36 years’ experience as a paralegal and executive assistant.

• Paralegal and Executive Assistant for MFR Associates (2016 – Present)
• Executive Assistant for Westshore Management (2013 – 2023)
  • Document manager for more than 17 commercial properties/entities, including tracking of all insurance-related matters
• Between 1988 and 2016, provided professional paralegal and executive assistant services to more than 10 attorneys at several general business law firms. Areas of law included, but were not limited to, civil litigation (for both plaintiffs and defendants), employment, transactions, corporate, securities, intellectual property, real property, land use, and estate planning.
  • Discovery; research and analysis; drafting, preparation, and filing of court documents.
  • Drafting and preparation of other non-court related documents.
  • Other administrative law firm functions, including document management, time and billing management, and in-office IT support.

EDUCATION

• Associates of Technical Arts Degree from Edmonds Community College in 1987
• Associates of Arts/Sciences from Everett Community College in 1986

CIVIC ACTIVITIES

• Marysville Music Boosters (2012 – 2015)
• Northwest Organization for Animal Help (2011 – 2015)
  • Matchmaker, assisting the public in selection and adoption of dogs and cats;
  • Dog walker; cat and dog socializer; general training of dogs

About Anissa Uscocovich

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Legal Secretary and Executive Assistant
• Paralegal and Executive Assistant for MFR Associates (2020 – Present; 2005-2008)
• Legal Secretary for international law firm (1998 – 2004)
  • Provided legal secretarial support to three attorneys in the real estate group in preparation of all legal documents: extensive blacklining, drafted general correspondence, maintained chronological files, ensured receipt and delivery of communications, entered and finalized time entry. Answered phones, coordinated travel arrangements, maintained calendars, and scheduled meetings; processed petty cash, check requests, and expense reports as needed.
  • Provided secretarial assistance to five attorneys in the litigation, labor and employment, and IP groups. Prepared pleadings, complaints, discovery, agreements, and other various legal documents. Maintained client and administrative files for all assignments. Coordinated court filings, travel arrangements, and meetings. Drafted correspondence. Processed travel expenses, proofread time entries, apprised assignments of appointments, and organized work products. Took dictation as needed.
• Office Manager and Executive Assistant (1996-1998)

EDUCATION

• Associate Degree from Pensacola Christian College