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About The Firm

Meet Your

Legal Team


Russ G. Kvanvig, Partner, Attorney in Twin Falls, ID

Russ G. Kvanvig    •    Partner

Russ was born and raised in North Dakota. He graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in accounting from Moorhead State College. He served in the U.S. Army Active Reserve and received an Honorable Discharge. He received a J.D. from the University of North Dakota Law School in 1975.

Russ was admitted to the Idaho State Bar in 1975 and is authorized to practice before all courts and agencies in Idaho. In addition to his law license, Russ is admitted as a Certified Public Accountant in Idaho.

When he first moved to Twin Falls, Russ practiced with the firm of Plankey & Johnson. Shortly thereafter, he formed the firm of Kvanvig, Stoker, & Stanger. In 1982, Russ joined this firm as a partner.

When not in the office, Russ enjoys flying in his airplane, chasing fish and wildlife in the woods, shooting firearms, reloading, cooking fabulous meals, and scouring every nearby estate sale, auction, and antique shop for “junk décor” to add to the collection he and his wife Geri have acquired.

Russ practices in several areas of Personal Law, Business Law, Family Law, and Property Law.

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Laird B. Stone, Partner, Attorney in Twin Falls, ID

Laird B. Stone    •    Partner

Laird was born and raised in Gooding, Idaho, and graduated from Gooding High School. He is a proud Idaho Vandal, graduating from the University of Idaho in 1975 with a B.S. in Marketing. While at U of I, Laird was a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Laird obtained his J.D. in 1978 from the U of I, where he served as Attorney General for the student body. He is also a graduate of the College of Advocacy at Hastings Law School and the National College of Criminal Defense at the University of Houston.

Laird was admitted to the Idaho State Bar and all courts of Idaho in 1979. He served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert Newhouse. He then began his career as a litigator with the Ada County Public Defender’s Office in Boise (where he was Ada County Employee of the Year in 1981). He later moved to Twin Falls and worked as an associate at the firm of Nelson, Rosholt, Robertson, Tolman & Tucker. In 1987, Laird joined this firm as a partner.

In addition to his regular practice with the firm, Laird serves as a mediator for all manner of disputes. He is an administrative hearing officer for Idaho state agencies.

When not at the office, Laird enjoys spending time with his wife, Vickie (a fellow Vandal and a fabulous baker), his two sons, AJ and Grayson (also Vandals), their wives and his grandkids. When not spending his time with his family, or playing a round of golf, Laird spends his time working to make his community better for all, particularly for children.

Laird practices in several areas of Personal Law, Business Law, Family Law, State and Local Law, and Property Law.

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Jeremy C. Vaughn, Partner, Attorney in Twin Falls, ID

Jeremy C. Vaughn

Associate Attorney

Jeremy was born and raised in the Magic Valley, graduating from Minico High School. After High School, he attended the University of Idaho. While at the U of I, Jeremy was the ASUI Faculty Council Representative and a member of the ASUI Senate, completing his term as Senate President Pro Tempore. He graduated summa cum laude in 2002 with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Native American Studies. While at the University of Idaho, Jeremy was selected as a member of several honor societies, and received the Outstanding Junior, Outstanding Senior, and Grace & Guy Wicks Awards, along with an Alumni Association Award for Excellence and was a recipient of the ASUI Distinguished Service Award.

Jeremy attended the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, the oldest law school in the Americas. While a student there, he received the American Bar Association Award for Excellence in State and Local Government Law, and worked for the local county attorney, as well as a research assistant for his property law professor. He graduated with his J.D. in 2005 and was admitted to the Idaho State Bar later that year. Jeremy is a graduate of the Prosecutor’s Bootcamp at the National Advocacy Center of the National District Attorney’s Association.

After law school, Jeremy practiced law in Burley for a short while and then worked as a judicial staff attorney for the Honorable Don L. Harding in Soda Springs. He later served as a deputy public defender for Twin Falls County. He served as a deputy prosecutor for Gooding and Camas Counties and was Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Gooding County at the time of his resignation in 2014. Jeremy began working part-time with this firm in 2011 and joined the team full-time in 2014.

When not in the office, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife, cooking barbecue (ask him about the difference between grilling and smoking), woodworking, and various outdoor activities. He also enjoys playing the worst game of golf you have ever seen, yet has actually had two holes in one.

Jeremy practices in several areas of Personal Law, Business Law, Family Law, and Property Law.

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Kevin F. Trainor

Retired Partner

Kevin is a retired former partner of the firm. Kevin served in the United States Marine Corps as a pilot; he was honorably discharged as a captain in 1970. He received his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1966, and a J.D. from the University of Idaho in 1975. While at the U of I, Kevin was an Associate Editor of the Idaho Law Review.

Kevin began his legal career in Twin Falls as an associate attorney with Walker & Kennedy. In 1978, Kevin became a partner with Doerr & Trainor. In 1989, Kevin became a partner with the firm, and in 2013 became Of Counsel to the firm. Kevin officially retired from the firm in 2018.

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Mr. Trainor is retired and no longer accepting or representing clients. Please contact the firm to inquire if one of our other attorneys may be able to assist you.

L. Clyel Berry

Retired

Clyel is a local boy having been raised and educated in the Magic Valley area. His education following high school includes receiving his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration at Washington State University in 1973; his Juris Doctrate at the University of Idaho in 1975; and, was admitted to the Idaho State Bar Association on April 12, 1976. Clyel’s practice has been primarily focused in the areas of workers’ compensation and personal injury law since that time.

Clyel married his better-half Jill early on in life and together they have raised two sons in the Kimberly School system. Clyel enjoys traveling and is an avid hunter and fisherman, eventually having guided hunters in search of mountain sheep and generously provided black bears with his trophy caught salmon, in Alaska.

Clyel joined the firm of Stephan, Kvanvig, Stone & Trainor as "of" counsel" in 2016 and retired effective January 2022.

Mr. Berry is no longer accepting new clients. Please contact the firm to inquire if one of our other attorneys may be able to assist you.

Our Staff


Laura Sherman, Office Manager
Laura Sherman
Office Manager / Billing

Laura was born and raised in Twin Falls. She graduated from Twin Falls High School and received a secretarial degree from the College of Southern Idaho. She is married and has 2 children, Matt and Jenni and a granddaughter. She has been the office manager for the past 23 years.

When not at the office, she enjoys camping, 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, boating, kayaking, traveling, hunting and spending lots of time with her family and her friends. Laura is the family photographer and loves taking pictures to look back on. She enjoys watching softball and baseball.

Michele Jeske, Legal Assistant
Michele Jeske
Legal Assistant
Michele attended Lewis and Clark State College and received her paralegal certification. She has worked in the legal field for the past 22 years. She joined Stephan, Kvanvig, Stone and Trainor in 2003. Michele enjoys spending her free time raising her boys, attending sporting events, camping and kayaking.
Karen Mattice, Legal Assistant
Karen Mattice
Legal Assistant

She grew up on a farm -- riding horses, driving tractors, and bucking bales. She graduated high school from Meridian, Idaho, having taken almost every business class that they offered; and went directly to work as a secretary in the Legal Department of the Industrial Commission. She has over 40 years of legal experience. She received her paralegal certification from NALA, and has also taught the Legal Assistant Class at CSI.

She has been married to her husband, Mark, for 45 years. Among her numerous hobbies and interests over the years are cooking (she likes to experiment) and gardening -- you might want to check out the “mini farm” at her desk.

Cynthia Lively, Legal Assistant
Cynthia Lively
Legal Assistant
Cynthia Lively attained her legal assistant certification from NALS and holds an associate’s degree in business from the College of Southern Idaho and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Utah. She served six years in the U. S. Army Reserves, first as a Motor Transport Operator, and then a Public Affairs Broadcast Specialist. Ms. Lively is a STAR certified motorcycle operator, enjoys white water rafting, flat water kayaking and is an avid reader.
Melody Kreft, Legal Assistant
Melody Kreft
Legal Assistant
Born and raised in the Magic Valley, Melody graduated high school in 1985. She obtained her associate’s degree in music composition/political science at CSI, transferring to ISU in approximately 1989 in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree in political science/pre-law. She has been married for 25 years; enjoys being the mother of 4 remarkable young adults; and is a proud grandmother. Melody enjoys music, reading, painting, writing, gardening, and exploring the beauty of outdoor Idaho through hiking, kayaking, 4-wheeling and photography. Melody has over 29 years of experience as a legal assistant/paralegal.
Jenni Vance, Legal Assistant
Jenni Vance
Legal Assistant
Jenni was born and raised in Twin Falls.  She graduated from TFHS and received an Associates Degree in Teaching from CSI.  She is married and has a daughter.  She started with our firm doing part-time work while in high school and became a full-time employee in 2020.  She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing softball and enjoying life.

Stephan, Kvanvig, Stone & Trainor

Making History


Frank L. Stephan (Robert W. Stephan's father) established the firm in 1914. The firm opened in roughly the same office space which it currently occupies in what used to be called the Twin Falls Bank & Trust Building.

1914-1949 | FRANK L. STEPHAN

Sole practitioner was Frank L. Stephan. From 1917-1923 Frank was the Prosecuting Attorney for Twin Falls County. In the early 1920's Frank prosecuted the “Black Widow” - Lydia Sweet Trueblood. Frank was the Attorney General of Idaho from 1927-1928.

1949-1959 | STEPHAN, STEPHAN & HEAP

Partnership was comprised of Frank L. Stephan, Robert W. Stephan, and Edward H. Heap. Frank L. Stephan passed away in 1952.

1959-1960 | ROBERT W. STEPHAN

Sole practitioner was Robert W. Stephan. Edward H. Heap was appointed as a District Judge in December 1959.

1960-1965 | STEPHAN & HARVEY

Partnership was comprised of Robert W. Stephan and Larry Harvey. Larry Harvey was a partner until 1965 when he left to become Dean of the law school at Willamette University in Oregon.

1965-1966 | ROBERT W. STEPHAN

Sole practitioner was Robert W. Stephan.

1966-1972 | STEPHAN & BALLEISEN

Robert N. W. Balleisen became a partner with Robert W. Stephan. Daniel A. Slavin joined the firm in April 1970.

1972-1974 | STEPHAN, BALLEISEN & SLAVIN

Daniel A. Slavin became a partner with Robert Stephan and Robert N. W. Balleisen May 1, 1972.

1974-1976 | STEPHAN & SLAVIN

Robert Balleisen left the partnership in June 1974. The firm then consisted of the partnership of Robert W. Stephan and Daniel A. Slavin. Curtis H. Eaton joined the firm in May 1976. Thomas L. Stephan (Robert Stephan's son) joined the firm in December 1976.

1976-1977 | STEPHAN, SLAVIN & EATON

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Daniel A. Slavin, and Curtis H. Eaton.

1977-1982 | STEPHAN, SLAVIN, EATON & STEPHAN

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Daniel A. Slavin, Curtis H. Eaton, and Thomas L. Stephan. Michael Spink joined the firm as an associate in April, 1980 and left the office in December 1980.

1982-1983 | STEPHAN, SLAVIN, KVANVIG & STEPHAN

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Daniel A. Slavin, Russell G. Kvanvig, and Thomas L. Stephan. Curtis Eaton left the partnership March 1, 1982. Russell Kvanvig joined the partnership November 15, 1982. Keith Hutchinson joined as an associate November 15, 1982.

1983-1984 | STEPHAN, SLAVIN & KVANVIG

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Daniel A. Slavin, and Russell G. Kvanvig. Thomas Stephan left the partnership in 1983. Keith Hutchinson left the firm in October of 1984.

1984-1988 | STEPHAN, SLAVIN, KVANVIG & GREENWOOD

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Daniel A. Slavin, Russell G. Kvanvig, and Richard D. Greenwood. Richard Greenwood joined the partnership December 1, 1984 along with William Langley as an associate. Daniel A. Slavin passed away March 1987. Laird B. Stone joined the firm in May 1987. William Langley retired in 1988.

1988-1989 | STEPHAN, KVANVIG, GREENWOOD & STONE

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Russell G. Kvanvig, Richard D. Greenwood, and Laird B. Stone. Kevin F. Trainor joined the firm April 1989.

1989-1995 | STEPHAN, KVANVIG, GREENWOOD, STONE & TRAINOR

Partnership consisted of Robert W. Stephan, Russell G. Kvanvig, Richard D. Greenwood, Laird B. Stone, and Kevin F. Trainor. Robert W. Stephan retired November 1991. Robert C. Nicholson joined the firm as an associate June 1, 1993.

1995-2013 | STEPHAN, KVANVIG, STONE & TRAINOR

Partnership consists of Russell G. Kvanvig, Laird B. Stone, and Kevin F. Trainor. Robert C. Nicholson left the firm November 1996. Richard Greenwood left the firm April 1995. Robert W. Stephan passed away February 20, 2003.

2013 - | STEPHAN, KVANVIG, STONE & TRAINOR

Partnership consists of Russell G. Kvanvig and Laird B. Stone. Kevin F. Trainor withdrew from the partnership in 2013 and retired in February 2018. Jeremy C. Vaughn joined the firm as an associate on a part-time basis in February 2011 and later full-time in February of 2014. L. Clyel Berry joined the firm as Of Counsel in July 2016.

The Following Staff Have Left the Office


Esther Bopp Esther Bopp started work with Frank Stephan as his legal assistant on March 4, 1946. She became the office administrator in 1963. Esther retired in March 2001 after 55 years with the firm.
Donna Allen Donna started with Stephan, Kvanvig, Greenwood, Stone & Trainor in 1992. Donna did the billings for the firm and was legal assistant to Rob Nicholson. Donna left the office in June of 2002 after her husband was transferred to Boise.
Lisa Myers Lisa was employed on a part-time basis beginning October 1995. Lisa was the receptionist and co-legal assistant to Rob Nicholson. Lisa became a full-time employee July 1, 1996. Lisa left the office in 1998.
Loraine Jones Loraine started with the firm in April 1989. Loraine was Kevin Trainor's legal assistant until she retired in February 2005.
Lenora Moeller Lenora became a legal assistant with the firm in May, 1970 when it was Stephan, Balleisen & Slavin. Lenora was Laird Stone's legal assistant. She left the firm in January 2012.
Linda Heidemann Linda started with the firm on a part-time basis in 1978. She left for a short period of time and rejoined the firm on a full-time basis in February 1989. The firm was then known as Stephan, Kvanvig, Greenwood & Stone. Linda was Russ Kvanvig's legal assistant until she retired in January 2013.
Lucille Deagle Lucille joined the firm on a part-time basis in 1991. She did our large copying jobs and ran errands until she retired in March 2012.
Joy Karavedas Joy joined our firm in August 2002, after Donna Allen left, to be our billing clerk. She left our office in July 2003.
Jayne Harris Jayne joined our firm in March 2005 as a receptionist and legal assistant. She left our firm in August 2008.
Geri Temple Geri joined the firm in September 2012 as a legal assistant. She left the firm in November 2013 to move to North Dakota with her husband.
Angie Roland Angie joined the firm in February 2012. She was Laird Stone’s legal assistant. She left the firm in April 2015 to be a full time mom.
Jane Foster Jane joined the firm in October 2008, on a part-time basis and then became full time. She was the receptionist and then went back to part-time and ran our errands and big copy jobs. She retired in July 2016.
Stefani Kitley Stefani joined the firm in 2014 as a legal assistant. She left the firm in 2018.
Crystal Kestler Crystal joined our firm in 2019 as a legal assistant/receptionist and left our firm in February 2023.