Holly Oden McAfee is an experienced Texas attorney working in the firm’s Houston office. She has a strong background in public service, litigation, and child advocacy. Most recently, she served as an assistant county attorney with the Harris County Attorney’s Office, where she represented countywide taxing authorities in the enforcement and collection of delinquent ad valorem property taxes, as well as the Department of Family and Protective Services in child protection matters.

During her time in the Child Protection Division, Ms. McAfee handled complex cases involving the safety and welfare of children, including proceedings to terminate parental rights. Her practice reflects a deep commitment to protecting vulnerable populations while navigating sensitive legal matters with diligence and care.

Ms. McAfee’s legal career also includes service as an assistant district attorney in Travis County, where she prosecuted felony offenses through trial, as well as experience in family violence prosecution and civil litigation, including pharmaceutical products liability defense. In addition, she has served as both an estate ad litem and a child and parent ad litem, advocating for the interests of estates and families in high-stakes legal proceedings.

A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as an associate editor of The Review of Litigation, Ms. McAfee has maintained a longstanding commitment to her community. She is actively involved in philanthropic and educational initiatives in the Houston area and has dedicated many years to volunteer service through local organizations and her church.

Leslie Murillo is a Texas-licensed attorney based in Linebarger’s San Antonio office. She brings a diverse legal background spanning corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, and civil litigation.

During her legal training, Ms. Murillo gained practical experience advising on contract drafting, compliance, and business transactions. As a legal extern with CentroMed’s Office of General Counsel, she conducted legal research and analysis to support regulatory compliance initiatives, including HIPAA adherence. She also drafted contracts and internal compliance resources designed to mitigate organizational risk and ensure continued eligibility for federal funding.

Previously, as a law clerk with The South Texas Business Lawyers, Ms. Murillo supported mergers and acquisitions, contract lifecycle management, and litigation matters. Her work included drafting commercial agreements, asset purchase documents, and discovery materials, as well as assisting with business entity formation and corporate governance. She also gained civil litigation experience at Flores & Peláez-Prada, where she conducted legal research, drafted pleadings, and managed case documentation.

Ms. Murillo is committed to professional leadership and community engagement. She has served as Vice President of the Red Raider Bar Association and has been actively involved in Lawtinas and the Hispanic Law Student Association.

Ms. Murillo earned her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she was recognized as a Dean’s Scholar. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics, with a minor in Mathematics, from Texas Tech University.

John J. Savarese, Jr. is an attorney and tax professional with extensive experience in federal, state, and international tax compliance, audit defense, and regulatory reporting across both the public and private sectors. With more than a decade of experience, Mr. Savarese has worked in areas ranging from government agencies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and professional services firms.

Prior to joining Linebarger, Mr. Savarese served as a tax analyst supporting JP Morgan Chase through BC Forward, where he reviewed and validated client tax documentation and Common Reporting Standard (CRS) self-certifications to ensure compliance with Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and global reporting frameworks. He collaborated closely with client service teams to resolve documentation deficiencies and maintained firm tax profiles supporting audit readiness and regulatory reporting.

Mr. Savarese previously served with the Internal Revenue Service as a correspondence examining technician, where he conducted complex examinations of pre-classified tax returns and information return processing (IRP) cases. In that role, he determined audit scope, analyzed taxpayer filings, reconstructed incomplete transactions using IRS systems, and worked directly with taxpayers to clarify liabilities and promote voluntary compliance.

He has also held senior tax roles with several major organizations, including American Water Corporation, Prudential Financial, De Lage Landen Financial Services, Global Tax Management, Lincoln Financial Group, and Comcast Corporation. Across these positions, he managed federal and multistate tax compliance, led audit defense engagements, directed teams responsible for preparing hundreds of tax filings, and advised on nexus, combined reporting, and the tax implications of major legislative changes including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the CARES Act.

Mr. Savarese holds a Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. He is an active member of professional and alumni organizations, including the Philadelphia Bar Association Tax Section and the St. Joseph’s Law Alumni Society.

Marissa Wakhu joined Linebarger in 2025 as an attorney in the bankruptcy department of the Houston office. Ms. Wakhu brings a diverse legal background and passion to serve the firm’s clients.

Prior to law school, Ms. Wakhu earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Baylor University. She also gained substantial legal experience as a paralegal at a boutique law firm in Houston, where she worked on complex probate matters. Earlier, Ms. Wakhu served as a legal intern in Waco, supporting attorneys in family, criminal, and immigration law.

Ms. Wakhu holds a Juris Doctor from Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where she was distinguished as a top advocate in numerous moot court competitions, including the Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, the 5th Circuit Elliott Cup Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, and the Henry-Doyle Moot Court Competition. Recognized for her exceptional advocacy skills, Ms. Wakhu has received awards for Best Oral Advocate at the 33rd Annual Duberstein Moot Court Competition and Best Advocate in both 2L and 3L advocacy programs. Ms. Wakhu has also been inducted into the prestigious Order of Barristers.

Ms. Wakhu is an active member of the Houston Bar Association and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Alejandra Robledo Guerra is an accomplished attorney with experience in criminal prosecution, defense, and immigration law. She currently serves as an attorney in the firm’s Edinburg office, where she applies her legal expertise to serve clients with diligence and professionalism.

Before joining Linebarger, Ms. Robledo Guerra worked as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney for Hidalgo County, where she prosecuted a broad range of misdemeanor and felony cases from intake through disposition. In this role, she managed high-volume criminal dockets, conducted pretrial hearings, negotiated pleas, and tried cases before both juries and judges. Her ability to collaborate effectively with law enforcement, expert witnesses, and community partners has been instrumental in achieving fair and efficient case outcomes.

Ms. Robledo Guerra’s earlier experience includes practicing as a Criminal Defense and Immigration Attorney with De La Fuente & Solis, PLLC, and clerking with Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP, where she supported complex commercial litigation and criminal defense matters. She also gained valuable judicial insight as an intern with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas and legislative experience in the Office of Texas State Representative Oscar Longoria.

A summa cum laude graduate of Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Ms. Robledo Guerra earned her Juris Doctor in 2021 and was recognized on the Dean’s List throughout her studies. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies, with a minor in Latin American Studies, from The University of Texas at Austin.

Ms. Robledo Guerra is admitted to practice law in the State of Texas and is an active member of the Texas District & County Attorneys Association and the Hidalgo County Young Lawyers Association. She is committed to upholding the highest standards of legal advocacy and public service in her community.

Maranatha Lingerfelt is an accomplished attorney with over 15 years of legal experience spanning family law, probate, civil litigation, and municipal law. She currently serves as an attorney out of Linebarger’s Corsicana, Texas office.

Prior to her move to Linebarger, Ms. Lingerfelt was the founder and principal attorney of Lingerfelt Law, P.L.L.C., where she led a client-focused practice dedicated to family law, guardianships, and probate matters. Her legal work has been distinguished by a strong focus on high-conflict divorce, child custody disputes, CPS cases, and equitable property division. She has represented both parents and children in emotionally and legally complex family matters.

Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, as well as extensive pre-trial litigation such as motions, discovery, and summary judgment practice. In probate, Maranatha has served as ad litem, conducting in-depth research to locate missing heirs and ensure compliance with the Texas Estates Code.

Ms. Lingerfelt is licensed to practice in the State of Texas and is admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. She is a Credentialed Mediator and an active member of several professional organizations, including the Family Law Section, Child Protection Law Section, and Municipal Judges Section of the Texas Bar Association. She is also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Ms. Lingerfelt earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Crime and Justice Studies from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Kayla G. Treviño is an accomplished attorney with a strong foundation in education law, litigation, and public sector representation. She works from Linebarger’s Brownsville law office and provides litigation and support to Linebarger’s clients in and around the area.

Ms. Treviño began her legal career at Walsh, Gallegos, Treviño, Russo & Kyle, P.C., where she advised school districts on a range of legal issues, including Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act compliance, employment grievances, and civil litigation. She regularly prepared legal documents for administrative and court proceedings, presented legal trainings to school staff, and represented the firm during school board meetings and proposal presentations—demonstrating both her legal expertise and her skill in client relations.

A committed member of the legal and local community, Ms. Treviño is active in several professional organizations, including the State Bar of Texas School Law Section, the Texas and National Councils of School Attorneys, and the Cameron County Bar Association – Women’s Law Section. She also contributes to civic life as a member of the Rotary Club of Los Fresnos.

Ms. Treviño is a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law and received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, graduating magna cum laude from St. Mary’s University in 2018.

Lisa Cancanon is an experienced attorney based in Colorado, with a legal career spanning over two decades. She currently serves as an attorney at Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP in Denver, supporting the firm’s Colorado partners with a broad range of litigation matters. Prior to joining Linebarger, she held the position of associate at Vial Fotheringham, LLP, where she served as general and special counsel to homeowners’ associations, representing them in judicial foreclosure, covenant enforcement, governance, compliance, and collection actions.

Additionally, Ms. Cancanon served as associate counsel at White Bear Ankely Tanaka & Waldron, representing both metropolitan districts and homeowners’ associations in similar areas. Her extensive background in creditor’s rights began with roles at Weinstein & Riley, P.S., and Barrett Frappier & Weisserman, LLP, where she represented lenders in foreclosure, eviction, bankruptcy, and title-related matters. She also held leadership positions managing staff and ensuring compliance with client systems and regulatory procedures.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Cancanon worked with Aronowitz & Mecklenburg, LLP in various roles, including manager/supervisor of the Homeowners Association and Senior Lien Monitor Departments, gaining in-depth experience with statutory liens, loss mitigation, and client advisory. She began her legal career interning at Colorado Legal Services and previously worked as an administrative assistant at Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison, & Lewis, Inc.

Ms. Cancanon is licensed to practice law in Colorado (since 2010) and Pennsylvania (since 2017). She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver College of Law in 2005 and holds a Bachelor of Science in English, Political Science, and Italian from the University of Denver.

Ms. Woodard earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2006 from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Memphis in 2002. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Texas, the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, and United States Tax Court.

Ms. Woodward assists our Houston offices with a wide range of legal services, from pre-litigation efforts to post-judgment enforcement. 

Prior to joining Linebarger, Ms. Woodard worked as an attorney managing a diverse caseload of complex litigation, contract negotiations, and regulatory compliance matters where she developed a deep understanding of various aspects of law including bankruptcy, civil, contracts, probate, and real estate/ property law.

Maralicia Martinez is a dedicated attorney with experience in litigation, client advocacy, and legal research. She currently serves as an associate attorney at Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP in San Antonio, where she assists with litigation procedures and supports partners in various legal matters.

Previously, she worked at Janicek Law Firm, handling case management, drafting legal documents, and representing clients in court. Ms. Martinez has also contributed to indigent defense through her roles at the Criminal Defense Clinic and Texas Indigent Defense Commission. She earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and English from St. Mary’s University, graduating cum laude. Licensed to practice in Texas, she remains actively involved in the legal community, including her work with the Hispanic Law Student Association.