Our Firm

Andrew Thav
Partner
Areas of Practice:
100% Probate
Bankruptcy Business Owner
Bar Admissions:
Michigan, 1998
Education:
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Detroit, MI Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Fraternities:
Sigma Alpha Mu
Awards:
Recognized as Michigan’s Top Lawyers of 2015, in the area of probate.

Jamie Ryke
Partner
Jamie's area of practice is fully probate law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1997. He holds degrees from St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, FL and Michigan State University Business School, East Lansing, MI. He is an alumni member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Jamie has been recognized as Michigan’s Top Lawyers of 2015, in the area of probate. He is also a Lawyers of Distinction 2019, Esq. Recognizing Excellence in Probate Law.

Dawn Santamarina
Managing Senior Associate Attorney
Dawn graduated cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law after obtaining her B.S. in Legal Studies. Dawn has a decade of extensive experience in probate law. Prior to going to law school, Dawn worked for Public Administrator George Heitmanis for several years as a paralegal/legal secretary. She then went on to work on criminal cases with the United States Attorney’s Office as a paralegal. After passing the Michigan State Bar Exam, Dawn was brought on to the team at Thav, Ryke & Associates as an Associate Attorney. Dawn handles all types of probate cases including contested probate matters, trusts, decedent’s estates, guardianships, conservatorships, etc.

Thomas J. Langan
Senior Associate Attorney
Thomas Langan graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law after obtaining his B.A. in both Political Science and History and had a specialization in French from Michigan State University. Prior to attending law school Thomas worked with the Governor’s office for the State of Michigan. Thomas worked in multiple arenas before passing the Michigan State Bar Exam including medical malpractice, creditors rights, employment law, and family law. Thomas works on a diverse range of litigation including probate, family law and civil litigation. Thomas’ passions include debate, computer programming, and working on motorcycles.

Adam Berman
Associate Attorney
Adam Berman brings over 17 years of legal knowledge and experience to the firm. He has litigated in State and Federal courts throughout the state of Michigan, with a background in the areas of Bankruptcy, Collections, Landlord-Tenant disputes and other Creditor’s Rights matters. Adam brings his passion and skills to Probate matters, where he works closely with his clients to understand their needs and personalize a plan of action to form real solutions to meet their objectives. Adam received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

David Grisa
Associate Attorney
David graduated from Wayne State University Law School after obtaining his B.A. in Humanities with a minor in Philosophy and Law from Michigan State University. During his time in law school, David was involved in the Mock Trial Program, serving as Trial Coordinator, and competing on Wayne State's TYLA National Mock Trial Team. He also took part in Wayne State's Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic where he assisted clients with their legal issues. In his spare time, David enjoys sports and traveling.

Jennifer Fracassi
Associate Attorney
Bio coming soon.

Daniel Relle
Associate Attorney
Daniel Relle graduated from Boston University in 2015 with degrees in advertising and philosophy. During his time at Boston University, Daniel competed as a D1 student athlete on the Men’s crew team, graduating as one of the most decorated rowers in program history. After three years working in both the marketing and finance field, Daniel attended Wayne State University Law School. During his time in law school, Daniel was the Vice-Commissioner of the Wayne State National Mock Trial Program and also competed on the Wayne State Moot Court Team. Prior to his work at Thav, Ryke & Associates, Daniel worked in a boutique law firm specializing in commercial litigation and business law. Outside of the office, Daniel enjoys to golf, live music and traveling.

Martin Volz
Associate Attorney
Bio coming soon.

Peter Winter
Associate Attorney
Pete Winter graduated with a BA in Political Science from SUNY at Geneseo. Taught school and coached for a few years, then moved to Detroit to go to law school at the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law. He practiced for 10 years with a law firm doing a mix of real estate, personal injury, and probate. For a short time, he was in-house counsel for Reliance Insurance Company defending property and personal injury claims.
Thereafter he became a solo-general practitioner doing real estate, landlord tenant, family law, business, estate planning, and probate until working recently with a small law firm in Ann Arbor before joining Thav, Ryke & Associates. He is admitted to the Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Ohio, and the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and is a member of the Solo-Small Practice, Real Estate, Elder Law & Disability Rights, and Agricultural Sections of the State Bar of Michigan.

Tiffany Jenkins
Paralegal
Tiffany Jenkins is a Notary Public and Paralegal at Thav, Ryke and Associates. She assists Jamie Ryke and Andrew Thav with deceased estates, guardianships/conservatorships, Trust administration and office administration. Tiffany has previously worked in Creditor’s rights and Bankruptcy. Tiffany attended Oakland County Community College. Tiffany is also a professional Photographer and an MSU Spartan fan! She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and her two children.

Rachel Sherman
Paralegal And Receptionist
Rachel Sherman is a receptionist and paralegal at Thav, Ryke and Associates, where she assists attorneys with deceased estates, estate planning, guardianships/conservatorships, and supports clients through the probate process. Rachel attended Siena Heights University for her undergrad and majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She then attended Tiffin University and received her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Rachel enjoys playing soccer with her friends and baking desserts in her spare time.
Artist Relford
Paralegal
Artist Relford graduated from ITT Technical Institute (Swartz Creek, Michigan Campus) September 6, 2015, with an Associate Degree in Applied Science (Paralegal). During his time at ITT Technical Institute, Artist received Highest Honors Award for 2013,2014, and 2015. After Artist graduate in 2015, he moved to Southfield, MI from Flint, MI and started his first job. He worked for a guardianship company for 3 years as a paralegal, where he learned how probate works. Artist gained a passion for probate and expanded his experience in 2016 by working for another guardianship company that mainly focused on accepting the responsibility of taking on guardianship and conservatorship matters, over their clients. Prior to working at Thav, Ryke & Associates, Artist continued to work in the field of probate, dedicated to helping others and understanding how probate works so assistance can be provided in the best interest of the client. Outside of the office, Artist enjoys writing books, writing movie scripts, acting, and directing short films and music videos, feeding the homeless, motivational speaking, playing basketball, cooking and spending time with his son and family.

Arn Farwell
Arn Farwell is a paralegal at Thav, Ryke and Associates, where he assists attorneys with various probate matters. Arn has attended Macomb College, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. He has many years and different types of legal experience, as well as other experience. Arn has successfully coached soccer for more than twenty seasons, and today, in his spare time, enjoys spending time with his family and friends, while sometimes working on his golf game, bicycling, and other types of cross-training.
Brandi Coleman
Associate Attorney
Brandi graduated with honors from law school and was nominated to deliver a valedictorian speech at the graduation ceremony. She has nearly 10 years of experience assisting community members with their probate needs, including guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and decedent's estates. Brandi comes from a proud military family, and she enjoys working with military veterans. While her professional endeavors have kept her in Michigan, Brandi is an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers.

Olivia Mihajlovski
Paralegal
Bio coming soon.