Our Team

EMILY MCFARLING, ESQ.

Managing Partner

Emily opened a solo law practice in Las Vegas in 2003 with the primary focus of family law. Since that time Emily has worked diligently to establish a reputation as a knowledgeable and aggressive attorney, gaining the respect of both her peers and Judges. Emily has grown her practice over the years and in 2010 gained the credential of Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada. This is the top Family Law credential an attorney can obtain in Nevada.

While her practice is primarily focused on representing clients in the Nevada Supreme Court, Nevada Court of Appeals, and Clark County District Court Family Division, Emily is also licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, United States District Court – District of Nevada, as well as all state courts in Arizona and California and she represents clients in those courts in cases related to her primary practice.

Emily is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Past President of the Nevada Chapter. She is a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and an AV Preeminent Rated Attorney by Martindale Hubbell. Emily is a member of the Hague Convention Attorney Network for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs / U.S. Central Authority for the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Emily was appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court and served on the Commission on Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure. Emily is also a certified parenting coordinator, arbitrator, and mediator. She currently serves on the Nevada Family Law Specialization Board and is on the Board of Directors of Our Nevada Judges, Inc.

As an attorney, Emily is particularly knowledgeable in handling complex property division and financial issues, international child custody issues, parental kidnapping, and high conflict child custody cases, although her primary focus is representing clients in family law appeals.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Emily worked for three years at the Tobacco Control Resource Center and Tobacco Products Liability Project in Boston, Massachusetts doing research projects on legal issues relating to tobacco. Emily has worked for the New Hampshire Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division and three law firms in Massachusetts in the areas of family law, tobacco litigation, real estate, business transactions and estate planning.

Emily has written several children’s books. She is a country and jazz singer. She loves to travel internationally and has lived in Budapest, London, Berlin, and Rhodes. She has a real estate company in Budapest, Hungary. She is mom to two teen boys and two Boston terriers.

Julie Bravo-Bezard, Esq.

Attorney

Julie moved to Las Vegas in 1994 with the intention of staying for two or three years. While Las Vegas’s booming economy originally drew her here from California, it was the open-armed and dynamic community she found that convinced her to stay and grow deep roots in southern Nevada. After working several years in financial services, Julie found a second career in education, earning a bachelor’s in secondary education in 2005, and a master’s in literacy in 2010. For more than fifteen years, Julie thrived as a passionate educator, teaching English and geography to middle and high school students.

A life-long learner, Julie eventually developed an itch to serve her community in a new role. After her many years of teaching close reading, research, argumentation, and public speaking skills, the law seemed like not only a natural choice, but also the ideal way to expand her capacity to help others. At UNLV’s Boyd School of Law, Julie intentionally sought out diverse studies, experiences, and social connections. Driven by her desire to understand the lives and perspectives of others, she taught record sealing classes, externed with a federal court judge, represented clients in eviction court, and completed a second externship with the Nevada Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Julie met Emily through the Partners in Pro Bono program with the Legal Aid Center. Following their collaboration on a landlord/tenant issue before the Nevada Court of Appeals, Julie decided to join McFarling Cohen Fic and Squires as an associate attorney. Both her personal and professional experiences make Julie an empathetic and passionate advocate for children and families.

Ever the Renaissance woman, Julie enjoys gardening, cooking, road cycling, high performance driving, travelling, learning foreign languages, building, and singing in her church choir. Her greatest joys, however, come from her large blended family including her husband, three adult children, four adult stepchildren, two grandsons, two pets, and numerous grand pets

Kiya Jack

Paralegal

Kiya was raised in rural Michigan but moved to Las Vegas after her parents divorced in 2015 so she could be close to her mother and pursue a career in the medical field. Kiya attended St. Therese Learning Institute where she graduated with a Nursing Assistant certificate. After working about a year as a CNA, Kiya decided to pursue a career in the legal field.

Kiya started as a Medical Records Clerk for a personal injury firm and moved her way up to a legal assistant, working in litigation for multiple areas of personal injury, and now, family law. Her experience has grown to include divorce, custody, international kidnapping and so much more. Her personal experience with divorce, as well as her work in the medical field, gives her true insight into empathizing and taking care of people. It is why she loves what she does.

Most of Kiya’s free time is spent with her husband and their three dogs. She is an avid Disney fan and loves to read. When she can, Kiya travels to the East Coast to visit her father, stepmother, and the rest of her family.

REBECA RENDEROS

Paralegal (Hablo español)

Rebeca was born in Los Angeles, California and has lived in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2000. With a strong foundation in the legal field since the age of eighteen, Rebeca has dedicated over a decade to providing exceptional support to clients in need. A certified paralegal, Rebeca has accumulated five years of experience in immigration and family law, alongside seven years of expertise in personal injury law.

Known for her ability to manage commercial cases, complex disputed liability cases, and catastrophic injury claims, she is driven by a deep passion for advocating for clients’ rights and ensuring they receive the justice they deserve.

Rebeca is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology at the University of Nevada Las Vegas with plans to attend law school. She is committed to bringing positive changes to the legal system and her mission is to ensure that everyone has access to a fair trial, fostering a legal environment that upholds the rights of all individuals. Outside of her professional pursuits, Rebeca treasures time spent with family and enjoys traveling, seeking to make lasting memories wherever she goes.

Cindy Chen

Legal Assistant (讲普通话)

Cindy Chen was born in China and driven by her passion for multicultural experiences, she has studied and worked in China, Japan, and the United States. These cross-cultural experiences enable her to understand clients’ needs with greater cultural sensitivity and insight.

Fluent in Mandarin and Japanese, she communicates seamlessly with clients from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they feel understood and supported throughout the legal process

Before entering the legal field as a legal assistant, Cindy worked extensively in Japan’s travel industry and the U.S. hospitality industry. These roles cultivated her meticulous work ethic, warm interpersonal skills, adaptability, and strong team spirit.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling and has visited more than 20 countries. She also loves reading and taking walks with her two dogs. Holding dual master’s degrees in literature and hospitality management, she combines intellectual curiosity with a genuine commitment to serving people from all walks of life.

Debbie Shalaty

Office Manager

Debbie Shalaty is the office manager for McFarling Cohen Fic & Squires in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of the office, including, support staff supervision, customer service and facilities management. Debbie’s incredible organization skills keep our team running smoothly. 

Debbie Shalaty has more than 20 years of professional experience in office administration, with an emphasis on law firm administration, personnel development, and client communications. 

Debbie has lived in Las Vegas for over 30 years. She is originally from Tucson, Arizona where she was raised and attended the University of Arizona. She has three children, one daughter and two adult boys. In her free time, Debbie enjoys watching sports, enjoying the outdoors, and reading.

Stephanie Cortez

Intake Specialist & Legal Assistant (Habla español)

Stephanie was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a first-generation Mexican American, she is the first in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Nevada State College. Stephanie’s goal was to always make her parents proud by continuing her education and be the first in her family to obtain a college degree. Before college, Stephanie worked in retail, where she learned the importance of providing excellent customer service. Throughout college, Stephanie worked at a personal injury firm as a medical records clerk and later transitioned into a case consultant position for criminal law. Stephanie has a continued interest in law and from a young age she dreamt of becoming a social worker. Stephanie hopes to one day further her education but for now, she is focused on being a first-time mother. Joining McFarling Cohen Fic & Squires, Stephanie hopes to expand her knowledge and understanding of family and domestic relations law. 

Stephanie is passionate about legal advocacy and enjoys helping individuals navigate through complex legal situations. She is proud of her Spanish heritage and hopes to make an impact on the Hispanic community through providing translation to the family law clients she works with at McFarling Cohen Fic & Squires. When Stephanie isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and especially her 5-month-old baby. She also loves traveling, going to concerts and being outdoors.

ARELY GALICIA

Consultation Clerk (Habla español)

Arely was born in Mexico and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout her journey of discovering her passion, she has embraced various professional opportunities. Her career began in the food industry, followed by roles as a sales associate, banking, and photography. Each experience contributed to her growth, ultimately leading her to the legal field.

Her role as an intake specialist at a personal injury law firm sparked a deep appreciation for the legal profession and became a pivotal step toward her current path. Now, as a member of McFarling Cohen Fic & Squires, Arely is eager to expand her knowledge of family and domestic relations law.

When Arely is not at work, you can find her at home watching a horror movie and relaxing. She also enjoys discovering new coffee shops around town and spending quality time with friends and family.

Erin Burnett

Document Clerk

I was born in a small town called Payson, Utah. However, I moved around a lot until my family settled in Las Vegas, Nevada.  I love to spend time with my son and take him on different camping/hiking trips, go to concerts, and travel within the U.S.A. in general.  I am also an avid Hockey enthusiast and have followed the New York Rangers team for most of my life.  I am working on completing my Paralegal degree from the College of Southern Nevada. 

Stephen Rosales

File Clerk

Stephen Rosales has over ten years of experience as a file clerk. His exceptional skills of organization and precision enable him to keep all client files in perfect order.

Stephen feels that the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon us is children. Being extremely grateful, he has five children and loves spending time with them. “We like to go camping, to the beach, and roller skating as a family.” They have hiked to waterfalls, lakes, and streams. Several of them have been bitten by bees, mosquitoes, and red ants. Their family has spent countless hours on the beach just loving life. Sunsets on the beach are truly one of the most aesthetic pleasures in the world. “At sunset, we walk on the beach and absorb all of the beauty and vibrant colors that we can.”

He is the proud owner of an incredibly playful and joyful Siberian Husky. Wolf greets Stephen every morning by lowering his head and howling as if to say “Good Morning!” He enjoys walking his dog and hugging him like a big teddy bear.

Stephen comes from a family of 11 brothers and sisters. He is a devout Catholic and attends St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. His parents would always tell him, “The family that prays together, stays together.”

Mr. Rosales is thankful to work at the McFarling Cohen Fic & Squires, and every day commits to providing the very best service that he possibly can.

Sonia Loya 

Receptionist (Hablo español)

Sonia was born in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico, and moved to Las Vegas when she was 8 years old. She worked in the medical field as a medical assistant for more than 10 years. Her interest in law grew after working in a medical office that handled medical liens. In her free time, she loves to skate, hike, craft, and spend time with her pets and family.