Joan Borkow worked for the firm from 1986 to 1997, and returned in 2005.  Her professional experience includes a position in the Philadelphia National Title Services office of a Fortune 500 title insurance company.  Ms. Borkow received her B.A. from George Washington University.  She works with all of the firm’s attorneys.

Mary Jane Carpenter
Title Examiner
mjcarpenter@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 518

Mary Jane Carpenter joined the firm in 1988 as a real estate paralegal.  She became a title examiner in 1992.  A former teacher, she specializes in titles with complicated genealogy. Mrs. Carpenter received her undergraduate degree from Westminster College and her Masters from University of Pittsburgh. She works with all of the firm’s attorneys.

Sarah Connolly
Assistant Financial Administrator
sconnolly@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 510

Sarah Connolly joined the firm in March, 2007 as the Assistant Financial Administrator.  Prior to joining the firm she worked as a financial analyst for a variety of high-tech companies in the Boston area, including Lotus Development/IBM for over nine years.  Sarah received her B.S. in mathematics from Northeastern University. 

Heidi Feldman
Consulting Technologist
hfeldman@hotmail.com

Heidi Feldman joined the firm as consulting technologist in 2005.  She provides support and training for all staff members in the use of the firm’s computer system and computer programs. 

Irene Fyler
Paralegal for S. Fain Hackney
ifyler@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 534

Irene Fyler joined the firm in 2003 as a real estate paralegal, a post she had held previously at another Island firm.  Immediately prior to joining the firm, Mrs. Fyler worked for the Island’s regional land use planning agency, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission as Administrator and Acting Executive Director.

Catherine (Katie) Gould
Paralegal for James F. Reynolds
kgould@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 526

Katie Gould joined the firm in 2005.  She graduated from Merrimack College in 1999 with a B.S. in Accounting. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as an accountant, experience which complements her job as a real estate paralegal.

Deborah L. Hale
Financial Administrator
dhale@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 517

Debbie Hale joined the firm in 1986. She handles all administrative matters for the office including all of its financial affairs. Ms. Hale came to the firm after working at the Martha’s Vineyard National Bank for ten years as Auditor, Cashier and Vice President. She holds a degree in Business Administration from American University.

Julie Higdon
Legal Secretary
jhigdon@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 520

Julie Higdon joined the firm in 1986, at its inception.  She provides support for the litigation department, which includes Ronald H. Rappaport and Michael A. Goldsmith. 

Cameron Kaufmann
Paralegal for Kathryn Ham and Fain Hackney
ckaufmann@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 514

Cameron Kaufmann joined the firm in 2005 as a real estate paralegal.  She is a graduate of Bennington College. Her prior work experience includes working for the litigation department of a Boston law firm.

Rachel Orr
Title Examiner
rorr@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 529

Rachel Orr worked for the firm as a paralegal from 1994 through 1995.  She rejoined the firm in 1998 as a title examiner, and provides support for all the attorneys. Rachel received her degree from University of New North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She is a former journalist.

Niels Puetthoff
Paralegal for Cynthia G. Wansiewicz
npuetthoff@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 512

Niels Puetthoff joined the firm in 2003 as a real estate paralegal.  Prior to joining the firm he did more generalized paralegal work at a smaller law office.  Mr. Puetthoff graduated from the University of Vermont in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science. Niels is bilingual, speaking both fluent English and German.

Elizabeth (Beth) Sawyer
Title Examiner; trust & estate paralegal
bsawyer@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 518

Beth Sawyer joined the firm in 1997.  She divides her time between conducting title research for all of the firm’s attorneys and providing paralegal support for trust and estate attorney Jennifer S. Rako.  Prior to moving to the Vineyard and joining the firm, she worked in management at a large, national corporation.

Patricia Willoughby
Legal Assistant/Paralegal for James Reynolds
twilloughby@rrklaw.net
508-627-3711; ext 528