Our Attorneys

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 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 has been appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court to serve on the Commission on Nevada Rules of Appellate Procedure. Emily is also a certified parenting coordinator, arbitrator, and mediator.

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 writes children’s books for children going through family law issues and operates a small publishing company. In her free time, she is a country and jazz singer. She is mom to two teen boys and four dogs.

Samantha Birsen

Attorney

Samantha was born and raised in upstate New York. She attended Syracuse University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Immediately upon graduating, Samantha relocated to Las Vegas in hopes of both escaping the snow forever and launching a career in food and beverage management. Samantha worked at the Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Aria before she decided to go to law school to pursue a career as an attorney.

Samantha attended Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law where she was active with both the Women’s Lawyer’s Association and the Constitutional Law Society. Samantha also completed multiple internships through law school, gaining experience in a variety of different areas of law such as criminal law, homeowner law, personal injury, and business law. After she graduated and received her license to practice law in Nevada, Samantha worked in private practice primarily dealing with civil law and family law cases.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Samantha enjoys being outside in the Las Vegas heat. She loves going to the lake to ride sea-doos, kayaking, hiking, and attending music festivals. Samantha also enjoys traveling, bargain shopping, and brunch.

Alex Aguilar

Legal Assistant (Hablo español)

Alex was born in Boston, MA. He received his B.A. in English Literature from College of The Holy Cross where he developed a passion for analyzing and looking and at things from all different perspectives. After graduating from college, Alex worked in Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Strategy for Boston Consulting Group and BitSight Technologies. His experience in Talent Acquisition taught him how to build strong business relationships through hard work and trust. 

Tired of the cold, Alex decided to move to Las Vegas in 2019 and began working in accounting for a small tax law firm where he learned the fundamentals of tax law and bankruptcy. Joining McFarling Law Group in 2020, Alex brings with him a strong desire to help people and their families get through stressful legal situations as easily as possible with the best outcome. 

When he isn’t working Alex enjoys reading up on current events and watching the New England Patriots.

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.

Stephanie Cortez

Paralegal

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 Law Group, 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 Law Group. 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.

Avea Vargas

Paralegal

Avea moved to Las Vegas from Poughkeepsie, New York in 2011. She is a Spring Valley High School graduate and attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she earned a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Criminal Justice. Throughout college, Avea worked as a bereavement coordinator and business development assistant for a non-profit hospice while interning as a research assistant for UNLV’s Criminal Psychology Department and participating in various volunteer activities through UNLV and other non-profit organizations within the valley. After graduating, Avea made a career switch from healthcare to law, where she was a paralegal/legal assistant for an estate planning and probate firm. Avea’s personal experience and strong desire with providing support to families in need has made a smooth transition from healthcare to the legal field. Avea recently took her LSAT exam again and hopes to one day become an attorney.

Currently, Avea is an active volunteer for Nathan Adelson Hospice and finds great joy spending her summers as a bereavement camp counselor for children grieving the loss of a parent. She also enjoys reading non-fiction, hiking, lifting weights, spending time with family and a huge Harry Potter fan. 

Debbie Shalaty

Office Manager

Debbie Hicks is the office manager for McFarling Law Group 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 Hicks 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.