Surratt Law Practice

Kimberly Surratt has a license to practice law in both Nevada and California. She began her legal career in 2002 in insurance defense before transitioning into family law only one year later and she opened Surratt Law Practice in 2007. She has now practiced for twenty years and has had her firm for 15 years, crazy how time flies. In 2004, Kimberly Surratt had her first surrogacy matter. She has immersed herself in assisted reproduction law, parentage, and adoption. She has lobbied all the reproductive law changes in Nevada to date, including a major change in insurance law mandating surrogacy coverage. Kimberly Surratt became a fellow with the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys in 2010 and today she is on the board of trustees for the Academy. Kimberly Surratt’s extensive knowledge in family law, parentage law and surrogacy has allowed her to speak on both the national and international level to people who want . She has a passion. Kimberly Surratt served for eight years on the executive council and has been the vice chair and then chair of the State Bar of Nevada Family Law Section. In addition, she is a Past President of the Nevada Justice Association having served on their board since 2013. She has lobbied with the Nevada Justice Association since 2004. Her lobbying career is long, but she has worked on bills such as Nevada Domestic Partnerships, the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, post-adoption contact agreements, a complete rewrite of all surrogacy statutes, and numerous other family law, reproductive and adoption statutes. In her free time, Kim enjoys her son and her partner, golfs, gardens, loves the outdoors, rides horses and volunteers for many different organizations.

Melissa L. Exline has been practicing law in Nevada for over 20 years. Sparks, Nevada is her hometown. Prior to law school, Melissa graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, earning a dual degree in Philosophy and Political Science. Her work now spans multiple areas of law, but with the same goal – helping families and making sure the ones you love are cared for and protected. Sometimes, this requires negotiating settlements in custody or divorce cases, or, taking a case to trial so you have your chance to look the judge in the eye and say what you feel is fair. Melissa walks with you in this process. It can be emotional, but Melissa prides herself on being able to explain complicated matters and guide you along the way with dignity. When Melissa helps people with their estate plans, she is trying it create a situation to make life easier for the family. Having properly crafted documents can save a family from stress and needless time in probate court. Again, it is about caring. Working with people in family law and estate planning means Melissa has an opportunity to truly help people. The issues are not “just business” or a simple dispute about money. It is about people’s lives and meeting their needs – and the clients she works with know her work matters. Melissa has taught many classes on family law, is a member of the Family Law Executive Counsel and VP of Nevada Collaborative Divorce Professionals. Melissa is married to Nathan Exline (and his family of dedicated Wolf Pack fans). They share three children. The Exline family enjoy Disney, camping, hiking, spending time at Lake Tahoe, and downhill skiing.

Travis is a native of the Reno/Sparks area. After graduating from Edward C. Reed High School in 1999, Travis attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies. Upon graduation Travis returned to the Reno/Sparks area and begin a career in Marketing. Travis worked diligently as the Marketing Coordinator for a local pet product manufacturer from 2004 to 2009. Desiring more from his professional career, in 2009 Travis made the decision to attend McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California. After Graduating at the top of his class in May of 2012, Travis was admitted to the California Bar that same year. After graduation, Travis clerked for the Honorable Thomas L. Stockard and Honorable Robert E. Estes in The Tenth Judicial District Court located in Churchill County. In Churchill, Travis presided as Special Master over Judgment Debtor Examinations, fulfilled the role of Bailiff in all court proceedings and worked with the Judges to issue timely and meaningful opinions. In July of 2013, Travis returned to Reno to clerk for the Honorable N. Patrick Flanagan where he had the unique opportunity to work closely with a renowned Judge of impressive tenure. This experience gave him a unique understanding of the Washoe Court system and experience within the Northern Nevada legal arena. Travis was admitted to the practice of law in Nevada in 2014. Travis was named one of Nevada’s Elite Up and Coming Attorneys and received the Outstanding Young Lawyer of Northern Nevada award from Nevada Legal Services for his pro-bono work in 2016. Travis was recently appointed to the Nevada State Bar Disciplinary panel for the north where he and a panel preside over attorney discipline matters. As a fifth generation local Nevadan Travis represents his clients with intelligence, zeal and compassion. While divorce might not be unique, it is unique to you. Travis offers services in pre-divorce and post-divorce litigation, estate planning, and mediation.

Abby Jaquette joined Surratt Law Practice in February of 2021. With her legal background primarily in family law and criminal law, she welcomed the opportunity to expand her practice into Assisted Reproductive law, where the parties work collaboratively to create and complete families through surrogacy and gamete donation. Abby assists clients in all areas of third party reproduction including surrogacy agreements and egg, sperm and embryo donation agreements. Abby also specializes in adoption and estate planning. Abby was born and raised in Carson City, Nevada. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in International Business from the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2010, she received her Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law. She completed a judicial externship during law school at the Spokane County Superior Court and clerked for the Honorable James E. Wilson at the First Judicial District Court upon graduation. Prior to joining Surratt Law Practice, Abby served as a deputy district attorney for the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, serving in both the juvenile dependency and criminal divisions. Abby is a member of the Nevada Family Law Executive Council and the Society of Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy (SEEDS).

Kenton was born in Reno as a 3rd generation Nevadan. He is licensed to practice law in Nevada and Utah. At the age of 18 months his parents divorced and he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Growing up, his life was shaped by custody orders for 17 years which provided him a strong foundation in understanding what it’s like to be a child subject to a custody order. After graduating high school in Salt Lake City, Kenton attended the University of Nevada, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and a minor in Business Administration. Kenton continued his education at Mississippi College where he earned his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration degrees in 2012. As a family law attorney, Kenton’s MBA plays a significant role in representing clients in estate planning matters and divorce litigation which requires the valuation and distribution of property. Upon graduating from law school, Kenton worked for the University of Nevada where he was an Assistant Director of Development for the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation and was responsible for the Foundation’s non-profit compliance. Kenton also worked with the Planned Giving Office by assisting donors who were donating money to the University through estate plans. Prior to joining Surratt Law Practice, Kenton was a judicial law clerk from 2016-2018 in Department 14 of the Family Division of Second Judicial District Court. In this capacity Kenton worked side by side with many of our Family Court Judges and learned firsthand how cases are reviewed and decided by Nevada judges. Having knowledge of the intricacies of our legal system allows Kenton to provide unique counsel to his clients. When not in the office, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Christin and their twins – a girl and boy. Kenton’s favorite vacation is at Bear Lake, Utah and enjoying time spent at Disneyland.

Dawn Kaufman is Kimberly Surratt’s paralegal and the office manager of Surratt Law Practice. Dawn was raised in Texas, but has spent most of her life in the Truckee Meadows. She has been married for over 33 years and they have 3 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Dawn has been working as a paralegal since 2001. Dawn began working with Kimberly Surratt in 2004 and assisted her with opening Surratt Law Practice in 2007. Since then, Surratt Law Practice has grown into the wonderful and caring family law office this it is today. Dawn works directly with Kimberly on Assisted Reproduction family/parentage matters and believes that it is a rewarding feeling to assist clients in growing their families and being the “light” at the end of their fertility struggles tunnel. When she is not working, she enjoys camping, kayaking and spending as much time as she can with her family and friends. Dawn Kaufman states: “Our attorneys and staff work extremely hard to provide the best service for our clients. We approach each case individually and craft solutions tailored to meet the needs of our clients”.

Paralegal, Carmen L. Luna, joined the Surratt Law Practice team in December 2019. Carmen brings nine years of paralegal experience to SLP along with her extensive experience in management. Carmen’s transition to being a family law paralegal was a natural one. She enjoys helping and assisting clients with what sometimes may be their most difficult times and guide them through their personal and legal processes. She takes pride in giving clients her utmost professionalism, care, and simply lending a listening ear. Carmen’s approach both professionally and personally is to make something better than how she finds it. As said by C.S. Lewis, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” When Carmen is not slaying legal dragons, she enjoys surrounding herself with her family and friends, entertaining with a glass of wine in her hand, reading mindless fiction, also with a glass of wine in her hand, and living an active life.

Heather Dillard was born in the South and spent her early childhood in Georgia. She moved to Reno when she was eleven with her family. Despite being from the South, she calls Reno home and couldn’t imagine living elsewhere. Heather has been working in family law since 2005 and with Surratt Law Practice since 2010, where she has worked with family and estate planning matters. Heather uses her multitasking and customer service skills to help families in transition by providing support to the clients and the attorneys. From uncontested divorce matters to complex litigation cases, she is involved from beginning to end. Heather assists clients by providing regular contact and updates, helping manage the discovery process, maintaining case deadlines and calendars and drafting pleadings and letters. She helps clients navigate emotional and often overwhelming situations with compassion and understanding. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, camping, traveling, gardening, and caring for the family pets and farm animals.

Rosalie joined the firm in 2022. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2000 with a BA in Political Science. She began her career as a Paralegal in California in Environmental Law and earning her Paralegal certificate in 2001. After 3 years, she decided to leave Environmental Law and begin her journey as a Litigation Paralegal for the next 10 years in CA. Rosalie then decided to leave the law behind and commit herself full time to Rescue working with Furry Friends Rescue in Fremont, CA. She loved working with dogs so much and doing all the temperament testing for dogs in shelters, that she attended Animal Behavioral College and completed her certificate as a dog trainer in 2010. She moved to Nevada in 2013 and She became a certified dog trainer through Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CPDT) in 2014. But never lost her interest in the law and finally left dog training behind and to join Surratt Law Practice.

Sharon Ellis has over 35 years of legal experience and an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from the American Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. Her experience includes working in the Justice Courts and District Attorney’s Office in Arizona as well as private law firms in Tennessee, Arizona, and Nevada. Since 2007, Sharon’s work has primarily focused on family law cases in Northern Nevada. Sharon enjoys helping clients navigate the difficult and often stressful elements of their case. She is dedicated, loyal and ethical. In addition to her extensive legal experience, Sharon holds a real estate license in Tennessee and Nevada and is a Certified Residential Probate Specialist. This experience is beneficial to clients in cases requiring real property sales and distribution. Sharon’s positive attitude and willingness to share her experience and knowledge with others makes her a great addition to our firm.

Kinzie is a 5th generation Nevadan and grew up on a hay farm. She joined the firm in April of 2024. While completing the Nevada paralegal program she knew it was a career she wanted to pursue immediately. With a keen eye for detail Kinzie is proficient at guiding clients through the intricacies of securing their future, ensuring that their wishes are clearly understood and legally documented. She is dedicated to helping clients, and families, and their unique needs and goals with clear communication while still maintaining confidentiality. With an eagerness to learn Kinzie is highly motivated in having a genuine desire in making a positive difference in clients' lives. Outside of her professional pursuits she designs and sews her own clothes. You’ll find Kinzie hitting balls on the golf course, skiing, competing in local triathlons and marathons, and cheering on the Nevada Wolf Pack football team. Go Pack!

Bryan Snyder was born in Deer Park, California. By the age of 10, Bryan was in Winnemucca Nevada where he later graduated from Lowry High School. Bryan left Winnemucca to attend the University of Nevada, Reno where he started his career in the field of law. Bryan began as a court runner for Lionel, Sawyer and Collins in 2008, earned his Paralegal Certificate from UNR in 2016 while working for The O'Mara Law Firm, and has been employed in the field for 17 years. Bryan uses his quick thinking and compassion to help assist families through difficult situations. Outside of work, Bryan coaches his daughter's soccer team and enjoys communing with nature whenever he can. The Truckee River, Pyramid lake and nearly unlimited public land offer little bits of wild to explore in his free time.