Jozie joined MGD in 2023 after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Risk Management and Insurance. She supports attorneys with estate planning matters, client communications, and business entity filings.  

Outside of work, Jozie enjoys traveling and learning how to sew. 

Dena Kraus joined MGD in 2020. Prior to joining MGD she worked for Armstrong Teasdale, LLP in the Corporate Services Group.  She has over 25 years’ experience working with estate planning professionals at large and small law firms. In her role as Senior Paralegal, she works with attorneys and clients on trust administration, probate estate matters, and estate planning matters. Dena has extensive experience in estate, gift and fiduciary tax matters, and tax return preparation with a focus on post death administration. Dena uses her project management, critical thinking, and creativity talents to help troubleshoot issues and benefit our clients. Her past experience as a litigation paralegal helps her keep pace in today’s fast-paced legal environment and allows her to manage simultaneous projects and tasks with ease.

Selena Levitt has over 25 years of customer service experience.  She handles daily contact with clients and administrative tasks. As an active member of 16 ancestry research groups she has an extensive knowledge of genealogical research specializing in the War of 1812 and the Civil War.  She volunteers in a number of ways to support both active duty and veteran groups and gives presentations on the Civil War throughout the community.

Chelli (pronounced “Kelli”) McCurdy, CTFA has over 25 years of experience as a paralegal and over nine years working with mid-sized Trust Companies as a Trust Officer.  In her current role as a Senior Paralegal with MGD, Chelli has a specific focus on Special Needs Trusts and, in addition, assists clients and attorneys with tax returns, pre-and post-death trust administration and corporate law issues.

Prior to starting with MGD Law, Chelli worked as a Trust Officer with Commerce Trust Company for three years with an emphasis in Special Needs Trusts. Prior to Commerce Trust, Chelli was a Trust Officer at Edward Jones Trust Company for six years where her primary focus was on post-death administration.  While at Edward Jones Trust Company, she earned her Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation from the American Bankers Association and keeps her designation current with continuing education.  Before becoming a Trust Officer, Chelli worked as a paralegal for a number of small estate planning law firms in St. Louis and a boutique litigation law firm in Irvine, California.

Angela retired in 2023 after 30 years in the financial and legal industries. She has come out of retirement to bring her background and expertise to MGD Law on a part-time basis. Prior to joining MGD Law, Angela was the Market Leader for PNC Private Bank, wherein she oversaw a team of professional advisors delivering specialized wealth management services to the local St. Louis market. In her career, she also worked for BMO Harris Bank and U.S. Bank in various advisory capacities including trust administration, probate estate administration, estate planning matters, and charitable services. Her extensive background has given her the opportunity to delve into complex wealth planning with individuals and families in all stages of life.

Outside the field of law, Angela likes to spend time with her recently retired husband, Robert, and their dog, Presley. She also spends time volunteering with CHAMP Assistance Dogs, an organization that trains therapy and services dogs for individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

Angela received her B.S. in Criminology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, her MBA from Fontbonne University, her Paralegal Certificate from St. Louis Community College, is a graduate of the College of Financial Planning, and holds the Certified Trust Financial Advisor designation from Cannon Financial Institute.

Joan came to MGD Law from the world of publishing. On the East Coast, she started as a reporter for an equestrian sports magazine and later edited health care newsletters and academic journals. When her husband’s legal job brought them to St. Louis, technical writing for corporate America was Joan’s next responsibility. For more than 20 years she has copyedited medical textbooks for Elsevier Science. Under a pen name, Joanie Halter, she’s authored two children’s books published by Amazing Things Press. She also holds a degree in Journalism from Creighton University. 

At MGD, Joan assists lawyers with projects and takes pride in eagle eyeing estate planning documents before signings. 

Outside the office, Joan follows her daughters’ adventures in fashion merchandising and hospitality management; cares for dogs, cats, and retired backyard horses; reads; globetrots with family and friends; and cooks from heirloom recipes. Joan also volunteers for church- and horsemanship-related charities and nonprofits. 

Kathryn joined MGD in 2022 as our Receptionist/Administrative Assistant. In February 2023, she was promoted to Administrative Assistant.  Prior to joining MGD, she was an elementary school educator and then a Receptionist at Scharf Tax Services. Kathryn enjoys greeting clients and performing administrative functions of MGD. With over 15 years of meeting the needs of individuals, Kathryn uses her skills to assist our attorneys and clients to help the office run smoothly.

Tammy Tobin joined MGD with Beverly J. Greenley’s team in 2018 after being a part of McCarter & Greenley, LLC for twenty-one years.  In addition to the skills and experience she has acquired while working in the legal industry, Tammy worked as a Pharmacist for nearly ten years, which cultivated her management skills and attention to detail.  Tammy provides exceptional administrative support to our attorneys and clients.

Deidra Woods joined MGD with Beverly J. Greenley’s team in 2018 after being a part of McCarter & Greenley, LLC for 22 years. Prior to that, she worked at Bryan Cave, LLP and Thompson & Mitchell (now Thompson Coburn).  Deidra has extensive experience in estate, gift and fiduciary tax matters, as well as real estate transactions, trust administration and creating drafts of legal documents.