OUR TEAM
Meet Our Fiduciary Team
David Levin, JD, LL.M. (Tax), Principal, has both served as and represented fiduciaries since 2001. A member of the California State Bar since 1991, David is a trusts and estates attorney with a primary emphasis on estate planning, estate administration, and mediation of related matters, and he worked for several years as corporate trustee in the banking industry. He received his B.A. from the University of California (Berkeley), his J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and his LL.M. in Taxation from Golden Gate University School of Law. David has taught courses on Wills and Trusts as adjunct professor at John F. Kennedy School of Law, he has co-authored Decedent’s Estate Practice, Vol. 7, a practice guide for California attorneys published by California CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar), has served as President of the East Bay Estate Planning Council and Chair of the Trust and Estate Administration subcommittee of the Alameda County Bar Association. Most recently, he has served on the Board of Directors for Senior Services of Northern California, the Supporting Foundation for Sequoia Living; and he volunteers as a grief support facilitator for Circle of Care, a program of East Bay Agency for Children. When not working, David enjoys hiking Bay Area trails, yoga, live music, movies and travel.
Jennifer Croteau, CLPF, Client Services, is a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary, and an experienced Care Manager. She comes to Marchi Smith & Levin (MSL) with a strong background in finance and senior care, and approaches each client with a person-centered caring approach to help them find their best quality of life. Jennifer earned a BA in Communications, owned her own business, and worked for 12 years with a San Francisco foundation focused on clean energy. She is dedicated to providing advocacy and support for her clients in all areas of their lives. Her love for the Bay Area and its beauty will often find her outdoors hiking, running and surfing with her family.
Linda Farquhar, Client Services, comes to MSL with a Certificate in Applied Accounting, experience in tax, bookkeeping and accounting, and is currently on her way to becoming a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary. The decision to make a major career change was ignited for Linda when she became the fiduciary of her parent’s estate and she saw firsthand a real need for both personal care and financial management for the aging. She holds a BFA in Photography and a Masters in Art. When Linda is not working, she enjoys her time with friends and hiking with her adorable Labradoodle Zazzy. She is an avid yogini, a Buddhist practitioner, loves to dance and of course continues to pursue her creative passion, the art of photography.
Kris Kuebler, Accountant, has always had an aptitude for numbers and remembers winning a math contest in 6th grade. Early career testing suggested she would do well as a CPA, however she earned a degree in theater and secondary education and spent her early career working as a group home counselor, activity director for a retirement community, Girl Scout trainer, folk singer and a theater director. Along the way, she acquired bookkeeping experience and transitioned into a role as Chief Financial Officer for a local software company from which she retired in 2017, after almost 30 years. For much of that time she has also worked for MSL, managing its business accounts, and preparing annual accountings for its clients. She loves the work and is proud to support a company that helps so many people.
Amanda Onstott, Client Services, has been with MSL since early 2017. Prior to joining MSL, Amanda became interested in fiduciary work after working for four years as Trustee on a complicated family estate. She is currently studying to becoming a California Licensed Professional Fiduciary. Amanda’s varied work experience includes bookkeeping and serving as Staff Tailor for multiple Bay Area theatres. When she is not in the office, she enjoys spending her time with her two children and husband. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Theatre Arts from San Diego State University.
Cynthia Whitaker, Client Services, is the newest edition to the Fiduciary team. In her 14 years working within the community in various capacities, she’s been most grateful and committed to be in the position to help others and our clients in their times of need. She has a background working with the elderly as a caregiver and the disabled as a respite worker. She has also served her community as a Medi-cal eligibility worker and CPS worker with Contra Costa County prior to joining the Marchi Smith & Levin team. She is currently furthering her medical education to better serve her community in the future.
Cynthia has a passion for caring and helping others, and on the side, she also enjoys cooking, entertaining and spending time with family and her Pitbull Dog Rocko.
Michelle Phelps, Office Manager, is a valued member of the Marchi Smith & Levin team. Her previous work experience includes 15 years with the UC Berkeley/UCSF Center for Mental Health Services Research where she served as Grant Writer, Grants Administrator, Office Manager, and Senior Editor. She also privately taught piano, songwriting, and art for 20 years. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from UC Berkeley and still loves to devour a good book. Michelle is passionate about serving vulnerable people and populations, and when she’s not in the office, she loves spending time with her husband and twin teenage boys, and juggling a variety of creative projects.
Myrtle, Loyal House Dog. Standing approximately one foot high and weighing in around 21 pounds, our terrier/corgi mix greets friends and strangers alike, responds well to treats, and serves as a good treatment for hypertension.
Gene Marchi, LVN, NCG, CLPF, Retired, the founder of Marchi Smith & Levin, was considered by colleagues and clients throughout California to be one of the pioneers of professional fiduciary practice, and he was instrumental in ensuring that professional fiduciaries satisfy licensing requirements before being allowed to work in this field.
Travis Smith, EDM, MA, MFT (1950-2018), co-founder of Marchi Smith & Levin, possessed impeccable credentials in the area of care management, and her passion for helping to guide others through the process of dying has helped establish and sustain the firm’s focus on a model of compassionate care as a critical adjunct to its fiduciary practice. She is greatly missed.
Professional Affiliations
Professional Fiduciary Association of California – Founding Members
State Bar of California
Marin County Estate Planning Council
Estate Planning Council of Diablo Valley
East Bay Trusts and Estates Lawyers
Aging Life Care Association
National Guardianship Association
Marin County Section on Aging
American Society on Aging
Jewish Family & Community Services of the East Bay