the Merna Law Group

John G. Merna, senior attorney, received his law degree (juris doctorate) from George Mason University School of Law. He also holds a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona and a bachelor degree in Political Science from Virginia Tech. Prior to founding The Merna Law Group in 2003, Mr. Merna practiced law in Los Angeles for eight years. He is admitted to both the Virginia and California bars. John is licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts in the Central and Eastern Districts of California and the Eastern District of Virginia. He is also a member of the Virginia Beach Bar Association, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and is on the Board of the Tidewater Bankruptcy Bar Association. Prior to practicing law, John spent eight years with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conducting undercover operations worldwide. John has traveled extensively around the world and is a certified scuba instructor having taught diving in Egypt, Mexico and Hawaii.
	James R. Carpenter, associate attorney, is a Suffolk native. He received his law degree (juris doctorate) from Regent University School of Law where he was Chairman of the highly recognized Negotiations Board. He received his bachelor degree in Philosophy from The University of Virginia. Jay is admitted to the Virginia and Florida bars and licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia. He is a member of the Tidewater Bankruptcy Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Jay previously served as corporate counsel for a local finance company.
Genene E. Saunders, associate attorney, is a Virginia Beach native. She received her law degree (juris doctorate) from Regent University School of Law. She also received her bachelor degree from Longwood University. Genene is admitted to practice in Virginia and practices in the areas of family law and bankruptcy.
	William “Bill” H. Clayton, associate attorney, is a native of Indiana. He received his law degree (juris doctorate) from Regent University School of Law. He also received his bachelor degree from Indiana University. Bill is admitted to practice in Virginia and practices in the areas of criminal law, bankruptcy and debt collections. He is a former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Sibyll M. Jones, director of employee and account services, received her bachelor degree in Education from the University of Virginia. She also holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University. She has worked in the field of Human Resources for 10 years and was previously director of human resources for a large telecommunication company.
	Tiffany Larimer, Administrative Assistant for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, is a native of Virginia Beach and a graduate of Ocean Lakes High School. Tiffany is currently pursuing her bachelor degree at Tidewater Community College.
Brandy MacDonald, Administrative Assistant for Family Law and Bankruptcy, is a native of Virginia Beach and a graduate of Ocean Lakes High School. Brandy is currently pursuing her associate degree at Tidewater Community College.
	Brenda Fernandez, Administrative Assistant for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, is a native of Alaska. She is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force in Mobile, Alabama. Prior to coming to The Merna Law Group, Brenda worked as a legal assistant at Skinner & Assocciates Law Firm in Greenville, South Carolina. Brenda is also in the Air Force Reserves assigned as a paralegal to the Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Office and is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants and the South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association.
Selena Callaway, Administrative Assistant for Client Services, is a native of Texas. She received her undergraduate degree at University of Texas at Austin. She has traveled and lived abroad with her husband who is stationed in Norfolk with the U.S. Navy. She has extensive experience in retail management.