Born and raised in Southeast Idaho, Alicia has grown to love the Pacific Northwest Region. While living in eastern Idaho, she graduated from the College of Eastern Idaho and obtained her Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies in 2005. For the five years following graduation, she worked for a small law office in Wyoming, being introduced to family law, criminal law, and probate.

Being lured by the beauty the state of Washington has to offer, Alicia moved and worked in the Tri-Cities area for the next ten years. She worked for several law firms and continued to broaden her skillset. She handled personal injury cases and family law matters at a firm called Telquist Ziobro McMillen (now called Telare Law). From there, she decided to hone her skills in family law and took a position at Ashby Law. It was at Ashby Law that she met Glenn Slate (he was working as a partner). Several years after Glenn left Tri-cities and relocated to Vancouver, Glenn offered Alicia the opportunity to move to the west side of the state and to work with him here at Heritage Family Law. To the good fortune of the firm, she accepted the opportunity and is now enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, west of the Cascades.

Alicia prides herself as a mother to four children. When she is not busy raising her family, she likes to read and travel.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Esmeralda has lived most of her life in Oregon and Washington. She is the first in her family to attend College and has graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies and a minor in Political Science.

Esmeralda is fluent in Spanish and has received a Biliteracy Seal for this. She is passionate about helping others and has interned at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. After graduating, Esmeralda joined us here at Heritage Family Law, ready to learn more about Family Law.

Outside the office, Esmeralda enjoys cookouts with her family, hiking with her dog, painting, and sightseeing.

Joshua O’Toole was born in Texas and moved to the Pacific Northwest when he was young. He’s lived in Oregon or Washington for the majority of his adult life. Joshua graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and began his career in Public Relations, working in the school’s athletic department as well as the Pac-10 Conference office.

He returned to Oregon after his internship at the Pac-10. He began to work for his mother as she started her solo legal practice. While working for his mother’s law practice, he assisted with family law matters, serving subpoenas, handling court files, and becoming interested in paralegal work. Joshua obtained his Paralegal Certificate from Portland Community College, the first Paralegal Program in the State of Oregon to achieve ABA-approved status. He has worked with prestigious law firms in Portland as well as Vancouver, focusing on electronic discovery technologies.

In his spare time, Joshua plays kickball and volleyball. He loves watching sports, including a deep love for Liverpool FC (You’ll Never Walk Alone!).

Matthew was born and raised in Cowlitz County. During his high school days, he became heavily involved in community outreach. He participated in several outreach programs with his church community, traveling all over the US, Romania, and Hungary, where he helped build schools for the underprivileged and teach music.

After graduation, he moved to Alaska, where he attended University of Alaska at Anchorage. A college job led him to the legal field, where he worked as a jury clerk. This ultimately led to a private law firm, where he fell in love with paralegal work. After many years with private practice law work, Matthew became the Indigent Defense Coordinator for Clark Co, working in the public defender arena. Transitioning to family law helped Matthew fulfill the need to help others, and we were lucky to have him join our team in 2023.

During his free time, Matthew spends time with his family, hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, continuing his outreach work and traveling the world when he gets the chance.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Patricia graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Portland State University.

Since then, she has worked in various industries, most recently as a probate and later corporate paralegal.  She is excited about the transition from corporate to family law.

Patricia is passionate about volunteerism, spending time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children and serving meals at SHARE House.

In her spare time Patricia is also a moderately talented baker and loves the beach, hiking and camping and swimming.