Our Minneapolis paralegals and legal assistants are always available to help you set and reach your goals and needs.
Meet Our Staff
Kate Olson is an estate planning paralegal with over 10 years of experience working in the areas of estate planning and family law. Kate truly enjoys working as part of a close knit collaborative team to assist clients through the estate planning process.
Having a background in Family Law gives Kate a deep understanding of family dynamics. Kate enjoys interacting with clients and finds satisfaction in knowing she can help families care for their loved ones and give them peace of mind by ensuring their estate plan properly meets their specific needs. Kate especially enjoys the relationships built with clients over many months and years of working together on planning. Kate holds a B.A. in English Composition from a Chicago area University which has served her well over many years of legal work.
Kate is best known for her technical aptitude, calm demeanor, and organizational skills. When she is not working, Kate enjoys spending time exploring Minnesota on day-trips with her husband and two young kids, gardening (albeit at a novice level), cooking meals inspired by online recipe perusing and volunteering weekly at her local food shelf. She also loves reading psychological thrillers and memoirs.
Cathy Currier, Paralegal
Cathy is an estate planning and estate administration paralegal. She has over 10 years of experience managing and assisting attorneys and clients with all phases of estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration. This includes preparation of estate planning documents, court documents, and estate and trust accountings. Cathy is committed to providing paralegal support throughout each step of both the estate planning process and the estate administration process.
Working with clients as they deal with complex issues during sometimes very difficult circumstances requires not only experience and technical aptitude but also a caring nature. Cathy’s personal and professional experiences working with complex family situations give her a unique understanding of the difficult decisions clients sometimes encounter. Her approach is to treat clients with understanding and compassion. Cathy is known for her ability to problem solve and relay complex issues to clients in an understandable manner as well as for her wry sense of humor. When she is not working, Cathy enjoys spending time with her children and spouse, volunteering on the board of directors for local youth programs, and attacking crossword puzzles.
Sara J. Wendt Ibtesam, Legal Administrative Assistant
Sara is a Legal Administrative Assistant with the firm. She earned her B.A. in International Relations & Political Science from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN. She currently serves in the Air force Reserves as a flight medic and is in charge of her unit’s inspection program. She has completed two deployments in 2006 and 2014. With her 14+ years of military service, Sara brings cohesiveness, adaptability, methodical organization, and technical savviness to the team.
Sara grew up in Anoka, MN but has called Bloomington, MN her home for 13 years. Outside of work and the military, she enjoys cooking, running, concerts, festivals, board games, coffee, and volunteering to assist/welcome refugees and immigrants into MN. She also loves spending time with her husband and teenage son while playing with their high-speed energetic Vizsla named Nikki-Blue.
Sarah Vyrostek, Legal Assistant
Sarah Vyrostek joined our firm in May of 2023 as a Legal Assistant. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, and a minor in Business Law. Sarah is also on track to complete her Paralegal training and is grateful for the immersion into a law firm setting as she furthers her legal career.
Sarah has a natural love of the legal field, having previously worked as a legal assistant at a family law firm. She possesses valuable experience and skills such as client management, confidentiality, and professionalism, that greatly benefit our team and clients in the field of estate planning. She takes pride in being part of a team that helps individuals and families plan for their future, safeguard their assets, and preserve their legacies. Sarah is meticulous, organized and concise and a great asset to our team. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys traveling, concerts, cooking and walks in Como Park.
Margaret Scott, Legal Administrative Assistant
Margaret joined the firm in April of 2023 as a Legal Administrative Assistant who spends her days assisting clients with scheduling and being a first point of contact at the firm, as well as providing administrative support to the attorneys and paralegals. Margaret is calm, quick, kind, and a true team player.
Prior to joining our office, she spent 3 years working in the field of medical administration. Margaret is also an entrepreneur who has spent the past several years performing cosmetic tattoo and aesthetic work, owning and running her own small business. With experience providing service to her own clients, as well as her history of working in the field of medical administration, Margaret has a strong understanding of how to attend to client needs in a confidential and compassionate manner.
Margaret grew up a “military brat” as her father was in the Air Force. She and her four siblings have lived in England, North Carolina, Germany, Colorado, and finally returned to North Dakota in 2011. The frequent relocations prepared Margaret well for dealing with individuals from many different cultures and backgrounds. It has also provided her with an abundance of patience and resiliency. She has spent the past 7 years in the Minneapolis metro area. When she is not working, Margaret enjoys spending time traveling and fostering dogs through the Underdog rescue group.
Lori Wyatt, Legal Administrative Assistant
Lori Wyatt works within Chan PLLC as a part-time legal administrative assistant, fulfilling a goal of working in the law field and utilizing the paralegal degree she received 26 years ago – life has come full circle! Recently retired from a 25 year administrative/office assistant position within the Eden Prairie school district, Lori brings those years of office experience to our firm with strengths in organization, record keeping and team collaboration. Lori has a can-do attitude and jumps right in.
When Lori is not working, you will find her spending time with her family and two “adorable” grandchildren and sweet dog, McNally. Baking cookies with granddaughter Olivia and going to the beach in the summer are two of Lori’s most favorite simple pleasures. Lori stays active socially, physically, and mentally and has fun doing it all!
Jane K. Schmidt, Paralegal
Jane is an independent contractor paralegal with her own practice, who assists Chan, PLLC Law Offices from time to time with estate and probate projects. With over 25 years as a paralegal working with families on estate and trust administrations, Jane K. Schmidt has developed an eye for problem-solving complicated legal issues. She approaches her work with empathy, discipline and believes that assisting families through difficult times is a truly rewarding experience.
Jane is a certified paralegal, a member of the Minnesota Paralegal Association and an active mentor in her paralegal community. Outside of work, she treasures spending time with her daughter, family and friends. Jane also enjoys her advocacy work in disability community.