Our Team
Rhonda Kinard, Esq., PhD, Founding Attorney
Rhonda Kinard, an Alabama native, has practiced law for several years in Alabama and Virginia courts. In 1999, she attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After college, Dr. Kinard earned a Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, graduating amid the top of her class. She graduated from Regent University School of Business, earning a Masters in Business Administration, cum laude. Finally, she graduated from Northcentral University, earning a Ph.D in Business with a specialization in Criminal Justice. While at Regent Law, Dr. Kinard interned at the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, for the Honorable Raymond A. Jackson. Additionally, Dr. Kinard completed an externship at the Supreme Court of Alabama for the Honorable Tom Parker.
After law school, Dr. Kinard began her legal career by accepting an offer to serve in one of the seven legal clerkships at the Supreme Court of Virginia. From 2009 - 2011, she served as a judicial law clerk to the late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Honorable Leroy Rountree Hassell, Sr. She also served as law clerk to the Honorable Charles Russell, Senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
From 2011 - 2014, Dr. Kinard served as a prosecutor for the Newport News Commonwealth Attorney's Office, where she gained extensive litigation experience in both bench and jury trials. She has litigated thousands of criminal cases, including criminal and traffic misdemeanors, firearm offenses, drug offenses, white collar/property offenses, burglary, arson and violent felonies such as armed robbery, aggravated assaults, sexual offenses and homicide. Dr. Kinard's years as a prosecutor has shown her the devastating impact crime has on not only the victims but also on the defendant, as well as family members.
Dr. Kinard served as an Adjunct Professor at Regent University School of Law, where she taught criminal law and criminal procedure classes. Dr. Kinard also taught Business Law courses at ITT Technical Institute. Previously, Dr. Kinard served as an Adjunct Professor at ECPI University, where she taught criminal justice and business classes. Dr. Kinard is licensed to practice law in Alabama, Virginia, and California. She is also licensed to practice in all U.S. District Courts in the State of Alabama, which include the Southern District, Middle District, and Northern District of Alabama.
Sandra Rene, Esq., Associate Attorney
Sandra René, French Canadian born, has had a passion for law since the age of thirteen. Sandra is Canadian and Haitian descent, and speaks fluent French, Creole, and English. In 2018, she attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science-Pre-Law with a minor in Psychology. While there she graduated with Honors while also making the Dean’s List. Sandra has always had a passion for volunteering and helping others and thus, during her attendance at the University of Central Florida, she was a member of Families in Transition where she volunteered and helped homeless families with aid, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
After University, Sandra earned her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2021, with a concentration in Litigation, graduating amid top of her class as a Valedictorian runner-up. While in law school Sandra also regularly made the Dean’s List and continued her passion for volunteering and helping others where she served as a student magistrate.
Ellen T. Okrezsik, Office Paralegal
The law can be intimidating. As our paralegal and office manager, Ellen will work directly with you to ensure you get the needed services.
Ellen was raised in Bay Minette, AL. After high school, she attended Faulkner State Community College, where she completed her paralegal studies. She furthered her education by attending Mississippi State University, where she majored in English.
Ellen has over 22 years of experience as a paralegal, with her specialty being personal injury. Ellen brings a broad depth of experience in paralegal support to The Kinard Law Office. She is responsible for managing the firm files and overseeing the preparation of the firm's documents. She has significant experience in dealing with insurance companies, and drafting pleadings. Ellen prides herself on providing superior customer service and taking a personal interest in each of the firm’s clients.
Ellen is mother to Bankston, her 11 year old son. She is also wife to Wayne Okrzesik, a local commercial glass business owner. Ellen is very active in the Grand Bay Athletic Association baseball park
and proudly serves as an Executive Board Member.
Tyra J. Pugh, Litigation Paralegal
Tyra Pugh is a native of Mobile, Alabama. She is a graduate of Eastern Gateway Community College, Paralegal Studies Program.
As an experienced litigation paralegal, Tyra has participated in jury and non-jury trials, in cases involving civil litigation, family law/divorce proceedings, child custody disputes, and criminal defense trials.
Tyra collaborates closely with the lead attorney, trial team and our clients, while analyzing and developing strategies in all phases of the case from initial intake through discovery, trial and appeal. She is involved with investigations, preparing expert witnesses, legal research, developing witness examinations, designing trial exhibits, and participating in jury selection and trial. She assists with technology during remote and courtroom trials and hearings.
In her spare time, Tyra enjoys traveling and spending time with her young daughter, Bella.