Grace Martinez, Client Services Manager
Grace Martinez joined our team as a Client Services member in 2014. She is our Director of First Impressions and manages all administrative functions in the front office. Often times, she is the first person you speak with when calling our law firm. Her days are busy while answering the phones, scheduling appointments, opening and closing files and translating for our attorneys. She truly understands the art of providing our clients with a world-class experience.
Prior to coming onboard, Grace supported the Dean of Humanities at our local Tidewater Community College as an administrative office assistant where she was well-respected and loved by all. Her work history includes customer servce, pre-school teaching, collections and many years of secretarial experience.
Grace earned her Associates degree in Applied Science from Tidewater Community College in Early Childhood Development and an Executive Secretarial diploma from Dover Business College.
She is the proud mom of beautiful triplet daughters and resides in Virginia Beach with her loving husband of 30 years. Grace is a native Spanish speaker, born in Ecuador and moved to the United States at the young age of eleven. When not working, Grace enjoys playing cards with her long-time friends, traveling to visit family and singing along to the best Latin songs of all times!
Tiffany Cake, Immigration Paralegal
Tiffany Cake joined our firm in September 2021 and has over 10 years of experience in immigration law.
Tiffany was born and raised in Hampton Roads and is the granddaughter of a Japanese immigrant. She earned her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justince and Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan University in 2012. Tiffany and her husband Travis have been married for five years and have a two year old, Cooper. Tiffany is also an award winning makeup artist servicing the Hampton Roads area.
Shelley Blankinship, Marketing Manager
Shelley Blankinship joined us in 2016 as our Marketing Manager. Shelley’s primary focus is expanding marketing efforts, enhancing our digital presence and streamlining other processes to make Gardner & Mendoza more effective.
Shelley spent over 10 years with Pilot Media Companies, where she was most recently the Sales Development Manager overseeing marketing, sales and distribution efforts for Pilot Media products in retail outlets. Prior to her role in marketing, she spent over 10 years in Human Resources, with her last role as Benefits Manager. Shelley holds a B.S. in Business Management from Old Dominion University.
Shelley and her husband Don currently reside in Virginia Beach with their two children Eva and Cole. When not working, Shelley enjoys family time, fitness and soaking up rays!