Our Attorneys and Staff
Ross E. Atkinson, Partner
Partner Ross E. Atkinson was admitted to practice law in November of 1979, after attending college at Claremont McKenna College and law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law. He immediately joined the firm of Waite, Jacobs and Atkinson, building his practice in the areas of family law, civil litigation, and estate planning. His practice currently emphasizes the areas of estate planning, trust administration and trust termination.
Ross is the third generation in his family to call Ojai home. He attended Nordhoff High School and married his high school sweetheart, Patty, a teacher whose career has included Monica Ros School, Matilija Junior High, and Thacher School. Together, they raised two children - Scott, an attorney in Burlingame, and Elyse, a teacher in Ojai.
Ross has long been active in the community. He has served on several Boards of Directors and in various offices, including the Rotary Club of Ojai - West, the former Ojai chapter of the American Red Cross, Help of Ojai, the Ojai Valley Lions Club, the Ojai Museum, and Monica Ros School. In his free time, Ross enjoys visiting his grandchildren in San Mateo, gardening and ocean kayaking.
Ross can be reached at 805.646.7263 or at ross@wjalaw.com.
Carolyn Vondriska, Attorney
Carolyn Vondriska is a 1993 graduate of the UC Davis School of Law, where she graduated in the top 5% of her class, earning a spot in the prestigious Order of the Coif national honor society. Upon graduation, she clerked for United States District Judge Milton L. Schwartz in Sacramento, thereafter joining the litigation department of the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP in San Francisco. She went on to become a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Clark County, Washington from 1998 to 2007, where she handled both misdemeanor and felony cases from start to finish, including charging, trial, and appeal.
Carolyn joined Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson in 2011, after coming to the firm as a client. Carolyn’s priority is to make estate and health care planning understandable and accessible for all, and she has a particular interest in assisting those with minor children.
Carolyn, her husband Gil, and their three children, Aiden, Tyler, and Brady, moved to Ojai in 2007, to be near family. Carolyn serves on the Board of Directors and Legal Advisory Committee of the Ojai Valley Defense Fund, volunteers regularly with Boy Scout Troop 504, and has raised and trained dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind. She enjoys hiking, backpacking, fly-fishing, and spending time in the Yosemite high country.
Carolyn can be reached at 805.646.7263 or carolyn@wjalaw.com.
Megan Davis, Law Office Administrator
Megan Davis has been with Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson since 2011, serving the firm as the Law Office Administrator. A California native, Megan began her undergraduate work at UC Davis, attended Santa Barbara City College, and graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Geography (earth system science); she also has taken medical courses at Ventura College.
Prior to joining the firm, Megan taught throughout the Ojai Valley, including at Noah’s Ark Preschool and Childcare, the Ojai Valley Athletic Club and Topa Topa Elementary School (after school program).
Megan moved to the Ojai Valley in January of 2000, seeing it as a wonderful place to raise her two sons - similar in many respects to her home town of Mill Valley, California. She was particularly drawn to Ojai’s art, culture, thriving local economy, natural geography, and a community committed to protecting all that is special about Ojai.
Megan transitioned seamlessly from education to the law, because both professions allow her to help people. She is committed to assisting families in planning for their futures, and compassionately supporting those in need. Megan is happy and proud to be an integral part of the Waite, Jacobs & Atkinson team!
Megan can be reached at 805.646.7263 or at megan@wjalaw.com.
Mary Clark, Law Office Administrator
Mary Clark rejoined the firm in 2020 as a Law Office Administrator. Mary has enjoyed working as an administrative assistant for over 20 years (15+ years in the Ojai Valley). With great attention to detail and a strong work ethic, she strives to produce excellent results.
Mary was born and raised in Santa Barbara and moved to the Ojai Valley in 1999. As a child, Mary and her family would visit Ojai for hiking trips. She loves the Ojai Valley for its great atmosphere, culture, and the wonderful people who live here. She thinks the Ojai Valley is a great place to raise her son, who was born here. They love taking walks in the evening and soaking in the majestic "pink moments."
Mary has also been a volunteer with Hospice of Santa Barbara, and enjoys visiting geriatric patients at Vista del Mar and other retirement communities.
Mary can be reached at 805.646.7263 or at mary@wjalaw.com.
Denise Heimo, Law Office Administrator and Notary Public
Denise Heimo is the newest member of our team. She joins WJA with over two decades of legal experience. Denise began her legal career in Santa Barbara, where she served as legal administrator/office manager, and received her paralegal certification.
Denise moved to Ojai in 2008 to raise her daughter, be closer to family, and to enjoy all that our unique community has to offer. It brings Denise joy to help people. She is excited to join a team that has been committed to serving our community for more than 35 years.
Denise can be reached at 805.646.7263 or at denise@wjalaw.com.
Allan Jacobs
Allan Jacobs, deeply missed colleague and friend (1940–2017).
Partner/Attorney Allan Jacobs was admitted to practice in June of 1968 after attending college at UC Berkeley and law school at UC Hastings College of the Law. He joined founding partner Arthur Waite - former Ventura County District Attorney - and took over the practice when Mr. Waite retired. His practice focused on estate planning, trust administration, and probate. Allan was revered as an attorney, but was similarly respected for his commitment to public service. He served as a member of the United States Peace Corps in Bolivia. Locally he was instrumental in acquiring the Valley View Preserve in is volunteer efforts for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. A Rotarian, Allan also was instrumental in the creation of the Rotary Club of Ojai Educational Foundation.
