The Team
In 2001, John M. Murphy, Jr., Esq. saw the devastating impact that poor estate planning and asset protection had on his wife’s family when one of her grandparents required nursing home care. Since then, John has dedicated himself to learning all he can about asset protection, estate planning, and Medicaid to help families protect their homes and life savings from long-term care costs and other financial disasters.
The knowledge and proprietary systems used by Safe Harbor Wills & Trusts will allow us to customize a plan to meet your family’s unique needs by providing the asset protection that you believe is necessary.
Our Team
John
Founder and Owner
John M. Murphy Jr., Esq. is the Founder and Owner of Safe Harbor Wills and Trusts. John founded the company to help families protect their home and life savings from catastrophic long-term care costs and other possible creditors.
In addition to running the company, John is on the faculty of the National Business Institute, where he writes legal content and teaches continuing education credits for attorneys and financial professionals.
John is also an adjunct teacher for Atticus Attorney, the premier coaching program for small and medium-sized law firms across the country.
John and his wife, Janne have been married since 1992. They have 4 adult children and 2 dogs. In his off time, John enjoys golfing and traveling with his wife.
Michelle
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Michelle Olevano, Esq. is an associate attorney with our firm, and her areas of practice include special needs planning, estate planning, asset protection/Medicaid planning, and estate/trust administration.
She graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Law, and subsequently earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
After graduation, Michelle settled in Syracuse and quickly came to appreciate the depth and character of the community. Through years of local practice and a personal connection to the special needs community, she developed a desire to focus her work on helping clients plan for the future, protect their legacies, and secure peace of mind for their families.
Michelle is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners and currently serves on the Board of Directors at Jowonio School, an inclusive educational institution serving children of all abilities. She participates in ongoing educational workshops, attends national conferences, and is committed to both learning and advocacy in her field.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys traveling, soaking in the summer months, and spending time with her family and friends — tending to the inner light that helps her see and support her clients so fully. Because of Michelle’s connection to the community she serves, her work is not just professional, it’s personal.
Tammy
Director of Medicaid Services and Case Manager
Tammy is our Director of Medicaid Services. She came to Syracuse after graduating from Penn State to work as a Software Engineer and to receive her master’s degree at Syracuse University. Tammy eventually left engineering to raise four kids while enjoying volunteering with her local church and the school’s PTA. She has been with our team since 2017.
Anne
Office Manager and Case Manager
As Case Manager, Anne confers with individuals to assess their needs and objectives to help get them started with their Estate Planning goals. In addition, she assists with accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, and other accounting and
administrative projects.
Before joining our team at Safe Harbor Wills and Trusts, Anne was a Legal Assistant for a Government Relations/Law Firm in Syracuse.
Outside of work, Anne enjoys family time and outdoor activities of any nature.
Lorraine
Paralegal
Lorraine is the paralegal in our Decedent Services department, working with probate, trust administration, and guardianship proceedings. Before joining the Safe Harbor team, she worked part-time in the field for almost 20 years while raising her three children.
Lorraine enjoys watching her children’s sporting events, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors.
Hannah
Medicaid Analyst
Hannah is one of the Medicaid Analysts in our firm. She also works on creating deeds and the Asset Alignment Trackers. Outside of work, Hannah likes to spend time with her friends.
Sherri
Medicaid Analyst
Sherri is one of the Medicaid Analysts in our firm. She came to Safe Harbor with much experience working in a Nursing Home setting.
When not at work, Sherri enjoys spending time with her family, attending events from benefits to family-oriented activities within the community. Sherri and her family enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and trips across the state of NY.
Colleen Elizabeth
Director of Marketing and Data Analytics
Meet Colleen, our Director of Marketing and Data Analytics.
Colleen joined Safe Harbor in August 2023 and has been steering our marketing efforts ever since. Holding an A.A. Degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, Colleen’s focus on American Sign Language during her time at Onondaga Community College reflects her commitment to inclusive communication. A former college lacrosse player, she clinched a National Championship Title in 2012. Colleen continued her academic journey at SUNY Oswego, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations with a concentration in Advanced Journalism and a minor in Psychology. Prior to Safe Harbor, she contributed her skills to legal marketing, working for a Nationwide Disability Law Firm and later at New York University in Manhattan.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Colleen is a creative force, utilizing her passion for content creation to support causes in need and motivate those around her.
Karen
Trust and Estate Specialist – Watertown Office
Karen is a dedicated member of the Safe Harbor Wills and Trusts™ team, based in our Watertown office. She focuses on trust administration, assists in the probate department, and supports the estate planning department as well.
Background and Experience
Karen holds a degree in Business Administration and relocated to New York from Virginia in June 2023. She brings years of experience as a Legal Assistant at a California estate planning law firm, where she worked on drafting wills and trusts and assisting with trust administration.
Outside of Work
Karen cherishes time spent with her two daughters and grandchildren. She enjoys traveling with friends and exploring the outdoors during the spring, fall, and summer seasons.
Sarah
RECEPTION AND CLIENT SUPPORT
Sarah is a dedicated and welcoming member of the Safe Harbor Wills and Trusts team, ensuring every client feels valued from the moment they walk through the door. An experienced customer service representative, she brings strong communication, management, and clerical skills to her role. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s in History from Hartwick College and a Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Legal Assistant/Paralegal Studies from Tompkins Cortland Community College. With a background in accounting and a passion for the legal field, she is committed to providing exceptional support to clients and the team. Sarah is an avid cat enthusiast and enjoys spending quality time with her feline companions.