Meet Our Team

We don't just prepare documents. We represent people.

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Lora G. Johnson

Attorney-at-Law

Lora G. Johnson was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, cum laude, from Arizona State University, graduating from Barrett, The Honors College. Her research was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. She also earned her Juris Doctorate from ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Lora facilitates a caregiver support group for the Alzheimer’s Association. She recently completed a term on the board of directors for Benevilla. She also is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and WealthCounsel.

Lora believes that quality customer service and hard work are important to success. She and her team actively support OCJ Kids and their mission to mentor and support foster children throughout Arizona. She also enjoys doing community service with various local women's groups. She has a very diverse background and is a talented artist, seamstress, quilter, and pianist. Lora’s Swedish heritage has brought her to Sweden multiple times and she has enjoyed visiting several countries with her husband and Swedish-speaking children. Lora and her husband, Steven, have five children, six grandchildren, and a fascinating Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd-Old English Sheepdog mix named Geyser.

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Yvette L. Ashworth

Attorney-at-Law

Yvette Ashworth is a native Texan, graduating from the University of Texas with a degree in Accounting. After graduating magna cum laude from Georgia State University School of Law, Yvette settled down with her husband near the beach in Florida. Four kids later and following thousands of hours devoted to her children, the Boy Scouts of Amercia, Parent-Teacher Associations, booster clubs, and her church, Yvette moved to Arizona to start practicing law full-time at Johnson & Associates.

Yvette's primary practice areas are Guardianships and Conservatorships, Estate Planning, and Estate and Trust Administration. During college, Yvette lived with and assisted her grandmother, Fayme, so that she could live independently for a few more years. Shortly after moving out, Fayme, who was diagnosed with dementia, moved in with Yvette's mother who cared for her until her passing. Having seen the realitites of aging and the sacrifices that her mother made in order to care for her aging parents, Yvette finds it satisfying to help people plan for the future and rewarding to work with those individuals that sacrifice and care for their family members.

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Marcie Maloy

Paralegal

Marcie Maloy is a native of Utah who now calls Arizona home. She is currently pursuing online academic studies in Business Management through Brigham Young University-Idaho. Despite her academic pursuits, Marcie remains grounded in her commitment to family, serving as a dedicated caregiver for a loved one. Drawing from her firsthand experience, she brings empathy and expertise to her work alongside Lora Johnson in ALTCS-Medicaid/long-term care planning, ensuring families receive the support they need during challenging times.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Marcie finds solace and joy in the great outdoors. An avid enthusiast of camping, hiking, biking, and quad-riding, she relishes every opportunity to immerse herself in nature's beauty and to explore new destinations. Alongside her beloved husband and three loyal canine companions, she embraces adventure and travel as avenues for growth and discovery. She is a licensed massage therapist and teaches swimming lessons in her spare time. One of her dreams is to restore her 1966 Mustang.

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April Duffey

Paralegal

April Duffey was born and raised in southeast Michigan. She was a single mother to her two children. During that time, she worked full-time in office administration, went to school, and did personal training part-time. She was very active in Boy Scouts of America and the local youth league football with her son, and Girl Scouts and dance with her daughter.

April married and in 2014 moved to Arizona with her husband and his parents just after completing her degree in Business Management. In Arizona she put her career on hold and became a full-time care-giver for her mother-in-law who had been diagnosed with dementia. After her mother-in-law's move into in a memory care facility, April took a position with Johnson and Associates.

April is grateful for the people she has had the chance to meet since moving to Arizona and joining Johnson and Associates. She is enjoying Arizona's warm weather and vast amounts of sun. Exploring the west side of the country with her husband is an ongoing pursuit, as well as trying to move her family to Arizona. That would be her dream. She believes that every day we have with our loved ones is a gift, because we never know what tomorrow is going to bring—no matter our age.

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Aileen Sosa

Paralegal

As the youngest member of Johnson & Associates, Aileen infuses the team with a blend of professionalism and warmth. Originally from California and now embracing Arizona’s vibrant culture, Aileen holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University, providing a strong foundation for her work in the legal field. Not only does she bring legal experience with her, but Aileen is also proficient in two languages. Fluent in English and Spanish, she received the California State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduating high school. She now works primarily under attorney Yvette Ashworth on Guardianship and Conservatorship matters.

Beyond the legal field, Aileen finds joy in sightseeing and hiking with her faithful canine companion, Snickers. She also cherishes quiet moments at home, where she can be found curled up with a good book, accompanied by Snickers.

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Andrea Perez

Paralegal

Raised in the vibrant city of Phoenix, Arizona, Andrea is a bilingual paralegal specializing in estate planning at Johnson and Associates. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she brings a unique skill set to her work, serving a diverse clientele with professionalism and precision. Beyond her legal expertise, Andrea is deeply dedicated to her family, balancing her professional endeavors with her role as a loving wife and a mother to an energetic 5-year-old.

Outside of work, Andrea immerses herself in Phoenix's cultural offerings and energetic atmosphere. Whether exploring new books, trying out the latest coffee shops, or engaging in diverse cultural experiences, she seizes every opportunity for growth and enrichment. Andrea's proactive approach to staying active and healthy ensures she has the energy to pursue her passions, including cooking delicious meals to nourish her family and create cherished moments together. Her harmonious balance between professional pursuits and personal passions makes her a valuable asset to both her clients and loved ones, embodying a spirit of curiosity and appreciation for city life.

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Ivon Gandara

Legal Secretary

Ivon Gandara was born and raised in the warm city of Phoenix, Arizona. With her family roots in Chihuahua, Mexico, Ivon’s first language was Spanish. As the legal assistant at Johnson & Associates, she brings her bilingual skills to support clients and colleagues. Ivon recently graduated from Arizona State University, becoming a part of the Sun Devil class of 2024. She pursued her passion for cultural studies and diversity by obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Transborder Chicana/Chicano and Latina/Latino Studies. She is grateful that this program allowed her to explore the complexities of border issues, migration, and globalization, further fueling her interest in understanding different cultures and perspectives.

Growing up in central Phoenix, Ivon developed a love for exploring new places, staying active through exercise, and immersing herself in the local music scene by attending concerts during her free time. She enjoys dining at Thai and Indian restaurants and sampling Matcha and Chai tea from different cafes. To stay active, Ivon hikes, runs, and goes to the gym. Her diverse music taste is reflected in the concerts and festivals she attends not only in Arizona but also in other states. Ivon is always seeking new experiences and opportunities for personal growth and is excited to see where life takes her next.

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Steve Johnson

Community Relations Manager

Steve Johnson is enjoying a second career at Johnson & Associates after teaching high school English for 27 years. He spent most of that time teaching the sophomore honors and senior AP Literature & Composition courses.

His favorite AP novel to teach was Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness,” and he enjoyed scrutinizing Civil War and Holocaust literature with his sophomores. He was the recipient of the 2012 Shofar Zakhor Award from the Phoenix Holocaust Survivors Association for excellence in classroom Holocaust studies. While a teacher, Steve chaired the Millennium High School National Honor Society and Veterans Heritage Project clubs. He enjoyed interviewing veterans across the nation, and conducted onsite interviews with veterans in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, Utah, and Arizona.

Steve earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Arizona State University and his Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of South Carolina. During his time in South Carolina, Steve embraced the opportunity to study Civil War history by visiting museums and battlefields whenever he could, and he is an avid collector of Civil War literature and artifacts. Steve is also a devotee of Yellowstone National Park, a lover of wolf and bear watching, and a serious road-tripper.

He is Lora Johnson’s biggest fan, as well as her husband of over 35 years.