Meet Our Legal Team
Our Legal Team
JOSHUA CAPP
Estate Planning, Elder Law, Trust & Estate Administration, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Business & Real Estate
Joshua is an associate attorney for Thorp Purdy. Joshua received his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, where he was the editor-in-chief of the Oregon Review of International Law. During law school, he gained valuable experience working as the Lead Law Clerk at the United States Attorney’s Office in Eugene. Prior to joining Thorp Purdy, Joshua served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Lauren S. Holland at the Lane County Circuit Court.
Joshua graduated from the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, where he received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in American Studies. Prior to going to law school, Joshua spent his professional career in the service of others by working in the non-profit and public sectors. Outside the office, Joshua enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, golfing, watching the Oregon Ducks, researching family genealogy, and mentoring law students.
KRISTIN DENMARK
Business, Local Government Law, Real Estate
Kristin is an attorney and shareholder with the firm. She enjoys assisting her clients and providing them with practical, efficient solutions. She primarily focuses her practice on business law, property issues, and local government law.
Kristin’s business and real estate practice includes assisting clients with purchase and sale agreements, public/private development agreements, easements, entity formation, asset purchase agreements, lease agreements, general contract drafting and review, and policy drafting and review, among other issues. Kristin also has experience assisting clients with environmental compliance issues.
Kristin advises several municipal clients on a wide range of issues. She assists clients with public contracting issues, public records requests, public meeting laws, and government ethics laws. Kristin has advised clients regarding elections law and special district formation issues. She also assists clients with negotiating and drafting intergovernmental agreements real property issues and drafting and reviewing resolutions and ordinances. She has assisted clients with complex real estate transactions and has experience negotiating and drafting development agreements, purchase and sale agreements, easements, and conservation easements.
Prior to joining Thorp Purdy, Kristin clerked for the Honorable Karsten H. Rasmussen of the Lane County Circuit Court. She earned her Juris Doctorate (order of the coif) from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2011.
In her spare time, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughters. They enjoy being active and spending time outdoors.
JANICE HATTON
Estate Planning, Trust & Estate Administration, Elder Law, Guardianships & Conservatorships
Janice’s practice focuses on taxable estate planning, trust and probate administrations, Medicaid planning, Guardianships and Conservatorships, and general elder law.
Janice earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from the College of Idaho. Janice moved to Eugene in 1987 to attend the University of Oregon School of Law and received her J.D. in 1990.
Janice originally joined Thorp Purdy in 1997 and was a shareholder from 2002 through 2013. Janice re-joined Thorp Purdy in 2023 as an of counsel attorney.
Janice grew up in Bend, Oregon, and maintains an active involvement in serving clients in Central Oregon, as well as Lane County. Janice is also a member of the Oregon State Bar’s Estate Planning and Administration Section, for which she served as an executive board member for several years. Janice previously worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oregon Law School, where she taught the Estate and Gift Tax course from 2007 through 2019. Since 2009, Janice has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Elder Law and Trust and Estates. In her spare time, Janice enjoys alpine and Nordic skiing and traveling with her husband.
BLAKE HUTCHINS
Local Government Law, Business, Real Estate, Employment Law
Blake's practice focuses on business law, property and technology issues, employment law, and local government law. He joined the firm after twenty-five years in the software industry as a corporate counsel, executive, project manager, contract negotiator, consultant, entrepreneur, and creative writer. He received his JD in 1993 from the University of Oregon, where he was an associate editor on the Oregon Law Review. He worked as a public defender in Douglas County, Oregon before moving to software.
Blake brings extensive experience with the day-to-day issues, risks, and challenges businesses and organizations face in the course of their work, as well as a practical understanding of how different organizations function, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. He likes helping people build strong organizations and robust processes to help them manage risk appropriately and execute successful business strategies. Outside the office, Blake continues to write speculative fiction and stays active with a variety of athletic pursuits.
LANCE LEFEVER
Business & Commercial Law, Employee Benefits
After growing up in a number of western states, Lance LeFever finished high school in Hermiston, Oregon in 1987. While still in high school, he enlisted in the Oregon Army National Guard, and served as a cavalry scout, and later as an infantryman, in the local unit stationed in Pendleton. He attended Blue Mountain Community College for two years, and then transferred to the University of Oregon, where he received a B.A. (cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society) in English and Anthropology from the University of Oregon in 1992.
Lance worked for four years as a legal assistant in the Lane County Public Defender’s office but returned to the University of Oregon School of Law to receive a J.D. (Order of the Coif) in 1999. He was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1999, and worked for almost another year as a defense attorney at the Public Defender’s Office before joining Thorp Purdy in October 2000.
Lance continued to serve in the National Guard through his undergraduate education, while in law school and after he joined the firm. His unit was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in February 2003, and he served overseas in Kuwait and Iraq from April 2003 to April 2004. In 2005 he accepted a commission as a JAG officer in the Oregon Army National Guard and served in that capacity until his retirement from the Oregon Army National Guard in June of 2008.
Lance began his career at the firm working largely in the field of civil litigation, and he still handles a number of litigation cases today. However, over time his practice has largely grown to emphasize work on business and corporate transactions, real property transactions, construction law matters, and Taft-Hartley employee benefit plan work.
In his spare time, Lance enjoys fishing, woodworking, rafting, hunting and spending time with his wife and children.
MURRAY PETITT
Civil Litigation, Family Law, Guardianships & Conservatorships Elder Law Litigation,
Trust & Probate Litigation
Murray is an attorney and shareholder with the firm. His practice includes General Civil Litigation, Elder Law Litigation, Elder Abuse, Will and Trust Contests, Family Law, Landlord and Tenant Law, and Misdemeanor Criminal Defense. Murray is a diligent advocate and enjoys counseling clients and finding solutions that best fit their needs.
Murray grew up in Northern California. After graduation, Murray worked a variety of jobs including head chef at a restaurant. He attended the School of Nursing at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California where he graduated with honors and earned an associate degree in nursing. Murray spent many rewarding years practicing as a registered nurse working in newborn intensive care units. Murray also spent some time working in public health serving migrant farm workers.
Murray later returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations (Honors) from the University of California, Davis. Murray then attended the University of Oregon School of Law and graduated in 1996.
During Law School, Murray worked as a Law Clerk with the Appellate Division at the Oregon Department of Justice. He also served on the University of Oregon’s Constitution Court. Murray also found success participating in Client Counseling competitions where he and his partner won the regional and national competitions and even the international competition in Brisbane, Australia.
In 1997, soon after graduating from Law School, Murray joined Thorp Purdy and became a shareholder in 2002.
Murray enjoys backpacking and mountaineering throughout the Pacific Northwest and has summited some of the Northwest’s iconic peaks including Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens (not to mention two unsuccessful summit attempts of Mt. Shasta). Murray also belongs in a band in which he is the lead singer and plays guitar. Murray and his band have auctioned their time and talents to support local charities.
Sam Petitt
Family Law, Business Law, Civil Litigation
Sam is an associate attorney for Thorp Purdy, who has a litigation practice. Sam received his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. During law school, he gained valuable experience externing for the Honorable Mustafa T. Kasubhai at the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. Prior to joining Thorp Purdy, Sam clerked for the Lane County Counsels office, where he assisted with employment and civil litigation issues. Later, Sam went on to serve as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Kamala H. Shugar at the Lane County Circuit Court.
Sam also attended the University of Oregon for his undergraduate degree, where he studied political science and philosophy. Sam is a lifelong Oregonian, and outside of the office he enjoys taking in all the State has to offer, whether that be driving along the coast, camping out in Eastern Oregon, or heading up to Willamette Pass during the ski season.
MAURA ROBERTS
Estate Planning, Elder Law, Trust & Estate Administration, Guardianships & Conservatorships
Maura grew up in Salem, Oregon. She attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, where she competed on the tennis team and worked as a writing tutor. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics. After graduating, Maura worked for a number of nonprofit organizations and spent two years coordinating training events for nonprofits throughout Oregon.
In 2010, Maura moved to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon School of Law. During law school, Maura worked as a law clerk for Thorp Purdy. She also assisted local entrepreneurs in the law school’s Small Business Clinic and served as the Notes and Comments Editor for Oregon Law Review. Maura earned her Juris Doctorate in 2013 and is admitted to the Oregon State Bar.
Following law school, Maura clerked for the Honorable Curtis Conover at Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene, Oregon. She joined Thorp Purdy as an attorney in January 2015. Her practice focuses on elder law, including estate planning, Medicaid planning, probate, guardianships, and conservatorships.
In her spare time, Maura enjoys finding new places to explore in Oregon and beyond with her husband. She loves playing just about any sport, watching movies, and cooking for family and friends.
JOHN URNESS
Estate Planning, Elder Law, Trust & Estate Administration, Guardianships & Conservatorships
John is a shareholder attorney at Thorp Purdy. Since 1983, John has served his clients and provided personalized solutions that best fit their needs. John finds nothing more satisfying than helping a client who may be overwhelmed with a difficult situation, breaking it down so the client’s options are understandable, then helping the client decide upon and execute sound solutions, and doing it all with compassion and as efficient as possible. John assists clients in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Guardianships & Conservatorships, and long-term care and Medicaid planning.
John is a native Oregonian. He grew up in The Dalles where he was a three-sport student athlete and attended Portland State University where he played wide receiver on the football team. John graduated from Portland State with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1978 and a master’s degree in business administration in 1979.
John attended law school at the University of Oregon School of Law and graduated in 1983. During law school, John served as a clerk at Thorp Purdy. After graduation, John became an attorney with the firm and has served clients at Thorp Purdy ever since.
John has served and continues to serve the community in many different capacities. He has volunteered as a youth sports coach for over fifteen years and is a former president and a board member of both the Thurston Football Association and the Thurston Baseball Association. John also volunteers as an attorney for Senior Law Service.
Outside of the firm, John enjoys spending time with his family. John is going on 37 years of marriage with his wife and sweetheart Linda. Together they have five children and five grandchildren. John and his family enjoy spending time outdoors, fishing, camping, hiking, golfing, and traveling.
MEGAN WITHRODER
Estate Planning, Local Government Law, Business & Real Estate
Megan joined the firm with ten years’ experience as an attorney, first as in-house counsel for an electric utility company and next as an associate at a national environmental law firm. Megan’s multifaceted practice includes real estate transactions, environmental counseling, and contract negotiations. She is also joining the firm’s estate planning and elder law practice, pursuing her desire to help people make life’s difficult moments a little easier. Megan enjoys thoroughly investigating the facts and finding effective and cost-efficient solutions tailored to each specific client and issue.
An east-coast native, Megan graduated from Connecticut College in 2008 and promptly moved to Park City, Utah for a season of skiing. While in Utah, Megan also ran a small equestrian business, taking clients to horse shows and teaching “hunter/jumper” lessons to students of all ages. She graduated from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney School of Law in 2013.
Megan is new to Oregon, moving recently from Seattle, Washington. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son Charlie, and their ever-growing family of animals.
