The Firm
Meet the Team
Meet the team at The Wagon Legacy, led by Attorney and Firm Owner, Alex Varela. Comprising passionate and experienced professionals, each member brings unique expertise to the world of estate planning. This team is dedicated to guiding clients through the complexities of estate planning with compassion and personalized care. Together, they form the heart and soul of The Wagon Legacy, ensuring families are protected and their legacies live on.
Alex Varela
Wife | Mom | Attorney & firm owner
Alex is married to her husband, Steve, and together they have 3 great kids. They are her everything. Because Alex understands the immense, unquantifiable love that parents feel for their children, she started her own firm. Alex hopes to help parents ensure their children are completely cared for if anything happens to them.
Alex is licensed to practice law in California and Nevada and currently teaches an estate planning course at Cal State Fullerton. Before starting her practice, Alex worked as an attorney at the Clark County District Attorney’s Office and represented the State in foster care proceedings. This experience helped Alex see first-hand the consequences of not naming guardians for your children. On numerous occasions, Alex was involved in cases in which both parents passed away. Alex saw grieving children in court, waiting for a judge to decide who they would live with. In some of those cases, Alex also saw family members in a legal battle for custody over children whose parents had passed. Although discussing death is difficult, Alex hopes to help parents have the peace of mind that their children will be cared for by someone they love and trust – no matter what.
Alex graduated cum laude from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law. After law school, Alex earned her law license in Nevada and California and served as the judicial law clerk for the Honorable Judge Kathleen Delaney. During law school, Alex was awarded a merit-based scholarship after her first semester and the Eglet Wall Law Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement during her second year. Alex was also awarded a CALI Excellence award for the highest grade in her legal writing class and a best brief award during the Wagner National moot court competition. During law school, Alex founded the Child Advocacy Law Association and was also honored with the Public Interest Law Student of Distinction Award from the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
Alex is extremely passionate about improving the lives of children in the foster care system and expends her time and resources to do so. For more information on a great organization and ways you can get involved, visit: www.togetherwerise.org.
Jennifer
Paralegal
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in sunny southern California my whole life. I lived in Los Angeles County as a child, went to college in Orange County, and now I live in Riverside County.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I am passionate about estate planning because clients with minor children can select guardians and ensure that their children are taken care of if they are deceased. I am not a mother yet, but I have a 6 year old brother who I would never want to go into child protection services. I understand the importance of selecting guardians for him, and I encouraged my parents to create an estate plan for that reason.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to eat and try different foods, but because I eat a lot, I also love to work out. My favorite thing of all, however, is spending time with my loved ones.
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
I would like to read people’s minds. I feel like it would help me better understand humans as a whole, and in return I could provide the best support for them (especially my loved ones).
Olivia
PARALEGAL
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Tustin, CA.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I am passionate about estate planning because I want to help individuals and families plan for the future. Being able to help individuals plan so that their loved ones are prepared and able to handle their affairs with the least amount of stress possible, during a time full of grief, is very rewarding.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to go to Disneyland, try new restaurants, go see musicals and bake!
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
My best superpower would be to make something appear out of thin air. That way I could have whatever anyone needs within seconds and be able to provide assistance in an instant.
Tammy
Paralegal
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Orange County, California – I wouldn’t have had it any other way! I absolutely love the diverse food options (I’m a huge foodie) and the quick, easy access to beaches.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
The loss and grieving of a family member is an extremely taxing and difficult thing to have to go through. If someone passes away without leaving any guidance in place for their loved ones, this only worsens the toll on those they leave behind. Estate planning allows individuals to provide priceless guidance for their loved ones at an immensely difficult time.
What do you like to do for fun?
In my free time, I love spending time with my cat Khonsu (who is spoiled to the max), bowling, hiking, and traveling/exploring new places (especially the food). Whenever I’m at home, watching hilariously bad reality tv is my favorite pastime.
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
I think my best super power would be shape-shifting because I would love the opportunity to try new things and experience the world between different roles. I’m always open to new opportunities and experiences.
Elizabeth
Administrative Assistant
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Santa Ana, CA and briefly lived in Riverside, CA when I was studying for my undergraduate.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
If I am honest our amazing team and clients have made me become so passionate about estate planning. It is a very rewarding feeling when we work with our clients and in the end they receive a form of comfort that their assets and family are protected if something were to happen to them.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love reading, going on puppy-dates with my dog Charlie and spending quality time with my friends and family.
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
Telekinesis of course!
Lisa
Business Operations Manager
Where did you grow up?
Tucson, AZ.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I feel that I am passionate about estate planning because it gives clients a great peace of mind when they have put a plan in place. I can see that they have a sense of relief knowing that the plan that they have put in place will protect their hard earned assets and also protect their children. It’s also so nice getting to know and establishing relationships with clients and their families.
What do you like to do for fun?
Spending time with family, trying different cuisines and traveling, love to travel because I love to fly!
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
To spread kindness and peace throughout the world!
Julie
Probate and Trust Administration Paralegal
Where did you grow up?
Highland, CA (near Norton Air Force Base – Dad was in the Air Force) and then Hemet, CA.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
People work so hard for what they have and I love that we help them leave their assets to whoever they want. It is hard enough when someone dies, but when they have their estate plan in place, it makes it so much easier and less stressful and NO PROBATE!!
What do you like to do for fun?
Get together with my adult kids. We all love to cook (maybe we actually just like to eat, haha!), drink wine, play games, and LAUGH A LOT! We are all Dodger fans so it is super fun to get together and watch a game on TV or go to a game. I also love visiting wineries.
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
Helpfulness.
Stephanie
Attorney
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Homestead, Florida, which is just south of Miami. I typically tell people Miami because not many people have heard of Homestead. I went to a small private school from kindergarten to 12th grade, and received my bachelor’s degree and J.D. from Florida International University.
Where are you licensed to practice law?
Florida, New York, and California.
Tell us about your family
I have a very close relationship with my mom, my sister and my grandmother. My mom’s side of the family lives in Mexico, but we Facetime with them almost every night. My grandma is 91 years old and has had to learn how to use a smartphone to Facetime us.
Also, we have one very spoiled (but very cute) dog named Madeline. She is a Maltipoo and just turned 3 years old.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
My dad passed away unexpectedly in January of this year. He didn’t have an estate plan in place, and my sister and I didn’t know what his wishes were. Looking back, I wished I would have discussed this with him and helped him create an estate plan. It was a difficult experience for my sister and I to lose our dad, but it was also difficult not having any guidance in place. I think it’s important for people to create an estate plan, not just to determine who their assets will go to, but also to provide guidance to their family and let them know their wishes if they were to ever become incapacitated and when they pass away.
What would your superpower be, if you had one?
I think my superpower would translate to mind-reading, because I feel like I’m sensitive to other people’s feelings and thoughts, and good at picking up on moods. It’s probably not a superpower I would actually like to have, unless I had the ability to turn it off and on.
Cesar
WELCOME TEAM SPECIALIST
Where did you grow up?
La Puente, California
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I am deeply enthusiastic about estate planning because I believe that having all your affairs in order enables your family to truly come together and support each other during challenging moments, without the added stress of navigating through probate court. It provides the peace of mind that allows you to focus on being present as a family when it matters most.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love playing in my adult baseball league and watching dodger games.
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
Empowerment, like Iron Man.
Gustavo
ATTORNEY
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Long Beach, California and continued to live there until I graduated from California State University Long Beach with my bachelor’s degree. I moved to Orange County while I attended Chapman University for my law degree, and now I live in Riverside County.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I am passionate about estate planning because I think it is something very important that people don’t talk about. There is a negative connotation around estate planning, and I want to change that. Like most people, before I went to law school, I thought estate planning was only for the extremely wealthy. However, this is far from the truth, and I believe that educating people about estate planning not only saves most people money in the long run, but it also provides an unrivaled peace of mind.
What do you like to do for fun?
In my free time, I like to travel, visit Disney theme parks, and play golf.
What would your superpower be, if you had one?
My ideal superpower would be flight.
Jaclyn
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Where did you grow up?
Southern Connecticut
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I believe that planning is an essential part of living our lives to the fullest. Planning for our death preserves our desires for those who remain with questions to know what, when, and how to carry out our wishes. An estate plan is something you do for your loved ones; a final gift of communication.
What do you like to do for fun?
Have new experiences! Always willing to go to a new restaurant, take in a show, hike a new trail, travel to a new place (especially a beach!) and meet new people. Spending time with my husband of 24 years, our two college-aged sons, our 3 Huskies and cat, is how I replenish my energy and sharing my life with them is my purpose. I am a Big Sister mentor and being with her brings me joy. I’m often found taking pictures or reading a book.
If you were a superhero, what would your best super power be?
Animal Communication. I believe there is so much we can learn from animals, specifically their instincts. Listening to what they would be able to share is a superpower I would enjoy.
Sofia
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT | MARKETING COORDINATOR
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Zamora, Mexico.
Why are you passionate about estate planning?
I didn’t know much about estate planning until I joined The Wagon Legacy. Witnessing the team’s dedication and hard work and the client’s comfort and positive feedback after they had put a plan in place made me realize the importance of planning for the future, especially so we can protect our loved ones and avoid making difficult times even more difficult.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love spending time with my family and going on walks with my beautiful puppy Bodoque. I also enjoy reading, watching TV, and listening to Taylor Swift songs.
What would your superpower be, if you had one?
I would love to be able to communicate with animals and control nature.
