Snell & Wilmer welcomed two new attorneys to its San Diego office: Kristen E. Caverly joins as a partner in the litigation, investigations, and trials practice group, and Lisa B. Roper joins as counsel in the private client services practice group.
Caverly and Roper, who both advise clients on complex trust and estate litigation and administration matters, join from Henderson, Caverly & Pum, a San Diego-based trusts and estates firm that has been serving the community for more than two decades. Their arrival follows the arrival of of counsel Nancy Henderson and associate Alexander Winkle, who joined Snell & Wilmer from Henderson, Caverly & Pum earlier this year.
“Henderson, Caverly and Pum built a strong reputation in the San Diego community over many years, and we are honored to continue that legacy as we welcome Kristen and Lisa alongside Nancy and Alex,” Steffi Hafen, co-leader of the firm’s private client services practice group, said. “Their skillset and technical knowledge of complex trust and estate controversies strengthen our practice and enhance the services we provide to clients.”
Caverly advises clients on trust and estate controversies and administration, as well as civil and commercial litigation and business disputes. Her trial experience includes numerous bench and jury trials, and she regularly represents clients in appellate matters. Caverly is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and is certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
“Snell & Wilmer has established a distinguished platform at the forefront of trust and estate matters, grounded in experience and commitment to client service,” Caverly said. “I look forward to joining the team and continuing to advocate for clients in complex disputes.”
Roper focuses her practice on complex trust and estate administrations and controversies. She regularly represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in Probate Court, and was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in 2026 for her work in trusts and estates. Roper is also a fellow of ACTEC and a certified legal specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the State Bar of California.
“It is a pleasure to join Snell & Wilmer alongside my long-time colleagues,” Roper said. “The firm has earned a strong reputation for its private client offering and provides a platform that will allow us to better serve our clients navigating complex trusts and estates matters.”
Caverly and Roper are members of the trusts and estates executive committee for the California Lawyers Association (TEXCOM), and are frequent authors and speakers on trust and estate matters, including litigation developments, probate law and ethics and compliance. They regularly publish in the California Trusts and Estates Quarterly, for which Caverly served as editor-in-chief from 2021 – 2022.
Caverly earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law, where she graduated second in her class, and her B.S. from the University of Maryland. Roper earned her LL.M. in Taxation and J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and her B.S. from the University of California San Diego.
