Thomas Hjerpe began practicing law in 1994 and opened an office at 350 E Street in 1996. Attorneys Thomas Hjerpe and Jocelyn Godinho entered into partnership in July 2017 and created Hjerpe & Godinho, LLP.
Over the course of 25 years we have helped thousands of our North Coast neighbors navigate bankruptcy, estate planning, probate and social security disability issues. We focus on these niche areas of law because it allows us to bring expertise to members of our community with unmet needs. We provide services with empathy, efficiency and excellence.
We have a strong commitment to the North Coast and to our community. We currently provide volunteer services at legal aid clinics through Legal Services of Northern California and with the VA. We serve on the Board of Directors of the Northcoast Regional Land Trust and Area 1 Agency on Aging, and have previously served with Consumer Credit Counseling Service and Northcoast Advocacy Services. Between us, we have been voted Best Attorney on the North Coast three times (2010, 2012 and 2019) and Best Law Office on the North Coast (2020). We are here to help.
Staff Bios:
Thomas Hjerpe: Thomas Hjerpe is a graduate of Humboldt State University and McGeorge School of Law and has been practicing law since 1994. His primary areas of practice are Estate Planning and Bankruptcy. He was previously Vice President of the Humboldt County Bar Association in 2021 and 2005. He serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Northcoast Regional Land Trust and the Area 1 Agency on Aging. He previously served as a Board Member of Consumer Credit Counseling Services and North Coast Advocacy Services. He founded and continues to participate in a monthly V.A. Legal Services Clinic.
Jocelyn Godinho: Jocelyn Godinho is from Fortuna, California. She graduated from Humboldt State University and McGeorge School of Law. She has been practicing law since 2011 and became partner in 2016. Her primary areas of practice are Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability, Probate, Trust Administration, and Conservatorship. She was the President of the Humboldt County Bar Association in 2015. She is the recipient of the Legal Services of Northern California 2016 Pro Bono Award.
Nicole Uhl: Nicole Uhl is a Legal Secretary who has been with the Law Offices of Hjerpe & Godinho for 14 years. Nicole specializes in bankruptcy and debt relief assistance. Nicole was born and raised in Arcata. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her daughter and husband at their family house at Trinity Lake.
Joni Hewston: Joni Hewston is a Paralegal who has been a respected legal professional in Humboldt County for more than thirty years, mostly specializing in probate and wills, and is a Past President of the Humboldt County Legal Professionals Association. She has spent many years as a youth group leader in both Boy Scouts and Job’s Daughters and is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Emblem Club, and the North Coast Scottish Society.
Courtney Lyman: Courtney Lyman is a Paralegal in the area of Estate Planning. Courtney was born and raised in Humboldt County. She previously served as Board President for the Humboldt Animal Rescue Team (HART) and continues to help where she can. She spends any spare time with her family, which includes her first child (born 2023), her husband, his younger brother that they raise together, and their nine animals.
DrieLynn Roberts: Drie is a Paralegal who predominantly works in the areas of Social Security and Probate. Drie obtained her Paralegal Certification from the University of California Santa Barbara, and a Bachelor's of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Cal Poly Humboldt. Drie was born and raised in Trinidad, CA. In her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, hiking and playing with her dog Zoey.
Morgan Hartlein Allen: Morgan is a Paralegal. Born and raised in Humboldt County, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, doing crosswords, and spending time with her cat.
Liam Achterberg Muñoz: Liam is a Paralegal. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science and a focus in international relations. He loves his cat, Klaus, and likes to paint and draw.
Julia Hjerpe: Julia is a Law Clerk and Bookkeeper. She was born and raised in Humboldt County. She graduated valedictorian from Alder Grove High School in Eureka, California. Julia graduated Magna Cum Laude from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science, French, and a minor in Psychology. She has performed dance throughout her childhood, and competed statewide in Rhythmic Gymnastics, being named State Champion in her age group. She enjoys Ariel Silks, performing in local theater and art. She is attending U.C. Davis School of Law.
Zara Elloway-Wonenberg: is a Paralegal, assisting in every area of law. Zara graduated Magna Cum Laude from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, with a Bachelor's of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. She plans on attending law school in the near future. In her free time, Zara enjoys taking walks with her dog and spending time with her family.