Elder Law PDX

Geoff Bernhardt, J.D.

University of Oregon School of Law, 1992

For the past 25 years, Geoff has guided individuals and families as they address the legal and financial consequences of aging. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Elder Law at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. He was President of the Oregon State Bar Elder Law Section in 2012. His guest speaking engagements on estate planning and elder law include the Multnomah Bar Association, the Oregon Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and AARP-Oregon.

Geoff is a shareholder in his firm, the Law Offices of Geoff Bernhardt & Julie Nimnicht, which specializes in elder law, estate planning, probate, guardianships and conservatorships.

The Oregon State Bar received Geoff’s assistance in writing a book on Elder Law for Oregon attorneys. The Bar also honored Geoff for his educational services to Oregon Elder Law Attorneys in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Geoff is a prior recipient of the Multnomah County Legal Aid Senior Law Project Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Julie Nimnicht, J.D.

Lewis & Clark Law School, 2009

Julie joined the firm in 2011. She is a caring and determined advocate for seniors, assisting clients with all aspects of estate planning and administration, protective proceedings, and Medicaid planning. Prior to joining the firm, Julie worked with an estate planning firm where she focused on probate administration and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.

During law school Julie clerked for the Oregon Department of Justice in the labor and employment section, and later for the Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center where she worked on Clean Water Act litigation cases. She also served on the editorial board of the Environmental Law review as the notes and comments editor. She earned her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School and has a bachelor's degree from New York University.

From 2013 to 2017, Julie served on the development committee for Guardian Partners, an organization that trains volunteers to assist the court system by monitoring guardianship cases to ensure that there is no abuse, exploitation, or neglect of elderly or disabled adults. She is also a member of the Oregon State Bar, the Multnomah Bar Association, and Oregon Women Lawyers, and currently serves as a member of the Oregon State Bar Elder Law Section executive committee.

Juliana Braxton, Receptionist / Legal Assistant

Juliana joined our team in 2014. Her vast and varied background in the legal, insurance, and media fields helps her build a rapport with clients of all ages, making them feel welcome and confident with our firm. A true Oregonian of Midwest origin, Juliana loves to golf, hike, and tend to her garden, as well as pursue creative endeavors. Her friendly face will probably be the first thing you encounter upon arrival at the Law Offices of Geoff Bernhardt and Julie Nimnicht.

Tonya Henderson, Legal Assistant

Tonya joined our team in the spring of 2019 after relocating to the Pacific Northwest from Oklahoma, where she previously worked for law firms specializing in estate planning and elder law. She also spent several years working for Oklahoma DHS as a Child Welfare Specialist prior to moving to Portland. Tonya obtained her bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Management and an option in Pre-Law from Oklahoma State University in 2013. Tonya fell in love with the Pacific Northwest after traveling here in 2017 to grant her late father's last wishes. She is familiar with the difficulties of elderly care as she has assisted with her own mother's aging health needs for the past few years. Tonya is a compassionate and caring addition to our team. She enjoys reading, listening to music, attending concerts, and spending time with her adorable cat, Sophia.

Sean C. Stacey, Legal Assistant

Sean joined us in the fall of 2019. He brings to the firm more than two decades of legal assistant experience in the field of elder law. He is compelled by the interesting work he does and the population he has the opportunity to serve. Sean was born in West Germany and moved to California as an infant, but he has lived in Oregon for most of his life and wouldn't choose to live anywhere else. In his spare time, Sean enjoys reading, playing video games, and working in the yard.

Laura Hallmark, Legal Assistant

Laura joined our team in the summer of 2021 after working for a local non-profit in their planned-giving division. Prior to working in the non-profit sector, Laura worked for an estate planning law firm after earning her paralegal certificate in 2014. Laura is a lifelong Oregonian with three adult children and two sweet cats. She spends her free time gardening and skiing and is happiest outdoors.