Our Team
Meet the team behind our success
Our Attorneys
Michael McHale Collins
Partner
Michael Collins was the 2020 recipient of the Tradition of Excellence Award given to one lawyer annually by the General Practice Section of the Virginia State Bar. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, and received his law degree from The College of William & Mary, where he was the managing editor of the William & Mary Law Review and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Fraternity. He is a former president of the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary club and the William & Mary Law School Alumni Association, and was an active member of the Advisory Board of the Alleghany Highlands Community Housing Improvement Program. He has served as director or board member for numerous other organizations including the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Board of Trustees, the State Bank of the Alleghenies, the Alleghany Highlands Free Clinic, Bath Community Hospital, and the Garth Newel Music Center.
Jeanne Marie Hepler
Partner
Jeanne Hepler was named a "Go To" Lawyer for Elder Law in 2021 by the Virginia Lawyers Weekly. She received her law degree from Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her focus is estate planning, wills and trusts, elder law and Medicaid planning. Ms. Hepler is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, WealthCounsel, the Alleghany-Bath-Highlands Bar Association, and the Rockbridge Area Bar Association. She is a frequent speaker on topics related to estate planning and elder law.
Laurence A. Mann
Of Counsel
Larry Mann is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and has been practicing law for over four decades, serving the Lexington community and surrounding areas. Larry served as Lexington City Attorney for 25 years, and most recently has focused his practice on estate planning, real estate, and conservation easements. A longstanding and beloved member of the Lexington community, Larry was a blacksmith prior to becoming a lawyer, and is married to renowned photographer Sally Mann.
Larry is one of the rare attorneys who did not attend formal law school, but "read" the law by apprenticing with Lexington attorney Thomas C. Spencer (now deceased).
Larry is one of the rare attorneys who did not attend formal law school, but "read" the law by apprenticing with Lexington attorney Thomas C. Spencer (now deceased).
Michele M. Cook
Associate Attorney
Michele Cook earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management from Liberty University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and also earned a minor in Criminal Justice.
Ms. Cook is a resident of Alleghany County and serves on the Covington Farmer’s Market Steering Committee and is involved in the New River Valley Sheep and Goat Association.
Ms. Cook is a resident of Alleghany County and serves on the Covington Farmer’s Market Steering Committee and is involved in the New River Valley Sheep and Goat Association.
Our Staff
Julie Crowder
Office Manager and Legal Assistant
Julie Crowder has worked with Larry Mann for over twenty years, serving in the role of office manager as well as legal assistant in the areas of civil matters, estate planning, probate, and estate administration.
Michelle Webb
Real Estate Legal Assistant
Michelle Webb has worked with Larry Mann for over twenty years. She currently runs the real estate closing department for the firm, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience in real estate transactions.
Tammie L. Williams
Legal Assistant
Tammie Williams has been a legal assistant at various law offices over a number of years. Her knowledge and experience have made her a noteworthy and valuable member of our team, assisting our Covington office with its traffic, criminal, and civil matters.
Anne Katherine King
Paralegal
Anne King earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in both English and Spanish with a Minor in Writing from the University of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, Florida. She has also received an Associate of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies from Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to education, Ms. King has fifteen years of experience assisting with diverse and wide-ranging legal matters. She manages our Covington office and assists with a broad range of legal matters.
Melissa Holland
Title Specialist
Melissa Holland brings many years of experience and extensive knowledge to her work with our firm. Her primary duties include thorough research of property title and records, verifying ownership, and identifying any liens or encumbrances that may affect the title in preparation for transferring property title.
F. Kelly Higginbotham
Legal Assistant
Kelly Higginbotham joined our Lexington office after years of experience in banking and finance. She assists with estate planning document drafting and preparation as well as bookkeeping, office management, and administration.
Margaret Earwood
Legal Receptionist
Margret Earwood is a 2025 graduate of Regent University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in history. Maggie works in our Covington office and is generally the first person you will speak to when you reach out to us.
