Our Team

Scott Howard and his wife Lucy Kivel are the founding members of Kivel & Howard LLP, a Portland-based law firm. Kivel & Howard provide legal services to closely held businesses. Scott’s primary role involves guiding the overall direction of the firm and consulting with the firm’s clients. He works primarily in...

While Lucy has retired from the practice of law, current time at the office is focused largely on client relations, human resources and general administration needs of a mid-sized law firm.

Devin Flynn’s practice focuses on personal injury, civil litigation and business matters. Devin is a strong believer that customer service is a huge part of the practice of law. Devin cares about his clients and strives to make sure that they understand the path toward a resolution. Devin’s personal...

Michael’s practice emphasizes litigation, family law and personal injury. Michael will continue to be active in the Oregon non-profit community.

Chuck’s practice focuses on business litigation and acquisitions, estate planning and probate. Chuck will continue to be active in the Oregon non-profit community.

Laura Larson is a supervising attorney with 23 years of practice experience.  She is a member of Kivel & Howard’s Personal Injury team, but her practice also focuses on Family Law and Landlord/Tenant law. Laura strives to find creative solutions that lead to good results for her clients consistent with...

Early in her career, Cynthia Croft represented the city of Lincoln City, Oregon regarding various matters including civil and criminal litigation. Thereafter, for a period of 11 years, Cynthia concentrated on civil practice and insurance defense litigation. Ms. Croft represented major insurance companies in both Oregon and Washington in...

Tami currently focuses her practice in the areas of consumer finance to include federal and state taxes, debt negotiation, settlement and collection, bankruptcy, focusing on student loan workouts. Understanding the importance of quality, results-driven work, Tami approaches her practice with dedication, humor and pragmatism to provide the assistance needed...

Aaron Varhola is a native of Bethel Park, PA, and moved out to the Pacific Northwest in 1996 after law school. Aaron brings a wealth of bankruptcy and consumer finance knowledge to Kivel and Howard; he has practiced consumer bankruptcy law for over 15 years, and enjoys finding solutions...

Jay Bodzin came to Oregon in 1998 to attend Reed College. He received a B.A. in Political Science and a Senior Reactor Operator’s license for the school’s nuclear research reactor. He graduated Northwestern Law School at Lewis & Clark in 2007, with honors awards for pro bono work and...

Dirk is an associate with Kivel & Howard, focusing primarily on assisting clients with real estate and business disputes. Prior to joining Kivel & Howard, Dirk has had positions practicing criminal law, ran a solo focusing on domestic relations and landlord tenant disputes, and worked for major lending institutions...

Des moved to Oregon shortly after graduating from law school to pursue work in intellectual property and appellate work. Much of his early work related to trademark prosecution and copyright licensing, as well as IP litigation—mostly patent, trademark, and trade secret misappropriation. Notable successes include a precedential opinion from...