BIOS

Steve Riley | Colleen O'Rourke | Laney Chavis | Julie Pressel | Samantha Cantrell-Long | Holly Lufkin | Doreen Preble

Steve Riley, Founding Partner

Steve is the founding partner of The Strategic Counsel, L.C.  He graduated from Berry College and the University of Florida Law School.  He has been practicing for over 13 years.

Steve is a nationally recognized speaker and created a coaching program for attorneys.  He is acontributing author to Generations, Way & Means, Strictly Business, and Basic Estate Planning in Florida. Steve is currently working on a new book explaining planning strategies for the “blended family”; where people in 2nd or 3rd marriages are similar to “The Brady Bunch” and find themselves facing unique situations.  

Steve has created several unique processes, such as The Family Protector Process™ and YourCorporateCounsel Advantage™.  Steve has taught programs for many local companies, such as A.G. Edwards, Charles Schwab, Edward Jones, Guardian, New England Financial, and many more.



Steve and his wife, Kristen, reside in the Westchase area along with their two children, Grace and Mark.

Colleen O'Rourke, Partner

Colleen, an Ohio native, attended Case Western Reserve University and Capital Law School before coming to Florida in 1984.

She has practiced law in both the private and public sector and has experience in civil litigation, administrative law, construction law, real estate development, as well as probate, guardianship, and estate planning.

Colleen is a partner of our firm, as well as the Managing Attorney for The Family Transition Process™ and our Probate, Guardianship, Elder Law, and Real Estate Department.  She is also a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, certified by Attorneys’ Mortgage Service, Attorneys Title Insurance Fund, and a member of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Colleen lives in Odessa, Florida with her husband, attorney Brett Wadsworth, and their two children.

Dorene Preble assists us as our Asset Integration(tm) Coordinator, as well as overseeing the Florida Deeds Program, the Technology Project, updating trusts and preparing amendments for our Family Protector Program(tm) members. She also creats graphics for our brochures, workshops, etc.

In the Asset Integration(tm) Department, it is Dorene's responsibility to assist our clients in implementing their estate plan by integrating their assets with their trusts and goals. Our clients have taken the time to put together an estate plan which will leave assets to their loved ones with special benefits, which is why it is so important to have the assets re-titled into the trusts. This is done by first allocating the assets to each trust and then a series of documents, tracking, and verifications. Dorene also prepares an annual "Checkup" at each Enhancement Workshop(tm) to give our clients the opportunity to update their asset list.

Dorene is a transplant to Florida from New England, and previously has been the editor of a corporate magazine and administrative assistant to CEO's. She is the mother of one daughter, Julianna, who is married and is finalizing her masters in psycyhology. Dorene's hobbies include playing 12 instruments, cooking, painting, reading, playing chess, and driving a motorcycle.

Laney Chavis, Client Relations Director

Laney is our Client Relations Director.  She is often referred to as our clients’ “guardian angel”, as she helps those interested in learning more about our firm and working with us to find the right process to meet and achieve their goals.  Laney’s goal is to make their journey a pleasant and smooth one, during which they achieve peace of mind that their loved ones are taken care of.  

Laney is also the liaison for financial advisors we work with to keep them updated on the progress of their clients.  She is responsible for maintaining contact with clients in The Family Protector Program™ to keep their plans updated and current.  She organizes and hosts several educational programs for The Family Protector Program™ members throughout the year on various topics such as: Successor Trustee Training, Retirement Planning, Long Term Care Alternatives, Planning for Minor Children, and many more.  She designs and creates The Family Protector Program™ newsletter which keeps members informed on legal changes and law firm news.

Laney also schedules and hosts the Continuing Education programs we offer to financial advisors.  Formore information please click here.

For those interested in exploring our estate planning process, The Family Protector Process™, Laney will conduct a private workshop.  During this workshop she reviews planning concepts, talks with families about the risks they are facing and the goals they want to achieve.  Together they explore strategies that will help their plan reduce these risks and accomplish their goals. 

Laney also coordinates The Family Protector Group Workshops™, during which we discuss planning strategies to protect your loved ones.  These workshops are taught by attorney Steve Riley.  There is currently no fee for this workshop.  To view our upcoming schedule, please click here.

For more information about The FamilyProtector ProgramTM, please click here! For more information about Your CorporateCounselTM, please click here!

Laney has completed the Strategic Coach Strategic Assistant Program™.  During this twelve-month program, she was trained on tools and techniques used to efficiently manage projects, create systems, assist co-workers and most importantly, protect their confidence.  She currently co-teaches the Practice Builder Key Assistant Program, a national program in which she teaches legal assistants better ways to communicate and support their attorneys.

Laney was born and raised here in Tampa, Florida.  She and her husband, Bryan, live in the Town & Country area.
The Strategic Counsel, L.C. was founded by Steve Riley, an experienced estate planning and business attorney, nationally recognized speaker and creator of coaching program for attorneys and financial advisors.

Holly Lufkin, Key Assistant to Steve Riley

Holly is the Key Assistant to attorney Steve Riley.  Her goal is to support Steve in giving their clients excellentservice.  She does this by managing Steve's calendar, managing his timelines and goals, communicating with clients on the status of their cases, and serving as his legal assistant.  She assists clients in the drafting of their wills and helping them incorporate companies.
Holly and her daughter relocated to Florida from Boston.

Samantha Cantrell-Long, Legal Assistant/Key Assistant

Samantha is the Key Assistant to attorney Colleen O'Rourke.  Her goal is to support Colleen in giving their clients excellent service.  She does this by managing Colleen's calendar, managing their timelines and goals, communicating with clients on the status of their case, and serving as her legal assistant. 
Samantha is a college graduate. She and her husband, Jason, are currently building a house in Masaryktown, near Spring Hill, where they will reside with their six year old daughter.