We are excited to introduce our new Video Blog Series, which currently includes Elder Law Talks and Special Needs Insights hosted by our attorney David S. Banas. We will be sharing these kinds of short videos regularly to help you expand your awareness, reduce your stress, and redefine what is possible as you advocate for your loved one. Check them out on our YouTube channel or in our blog, right here on Hickman-Lowder.com.

Attorney David S. Banas wrote a featured article for the June issue of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Bar Journal. David’s article, entitled, Special Needs Trust Administration Income Eligibility Issues For Beneficiaries and The Secure Act, can be found on page 28.

In response to these unprecedented times, we have created COVID-specific office polices for the safety of our staff and clients.

All client meetings now take place via Zoom or a phone call.  If it’s necessary for you to come into our office, know that we have taken steps to be as touch-free as possible. All tables, chairs and touchpoints are disinfected after each meeting, and we have posted room occupancy limits to ensure social distancing. Masks are mandatory in our office at all times, and there is hand sanitizer available to everyone. We’ve installed counter shields at reception and floor taping around the office to keep everyone at least 6 feet apart. We are monitoring the latest local and state COVID guidelines and updating our policies as needed.

Hickman & Lowder were sponsors of Connecting for Kids’ spring virtual resource fair, which was designed for Northeast Ohio families to meet local providers, learn about services, and virtually tour offices and therapy centers. Attorney David Banas spoke on Special Needs Legal Services, and attorney Linda Gorczynski spoke on IEP Support. For more information from the Connecting for Kids Virtual Resource Fair, including videos about our providers and services,  check out Hickman & Lowder’s sponsor page for the Connecting for Kids virtual resource fair.

August
Attorneys Franklin Hickman and Janet Lowder, and John Harrison were named among the Best Lawyers in America.  Franklin was recognized in the area of Education, Janet in the areas of Elder Law and Trusts & Estates, and John in the area of Trusts & Estates.  In addition, Janet was once again named “Lawyer of the Year” in Elder Law in Cleveland.

Special Education Advocate Mary Jo O’Neill recently joined the board of directors of Julie Billiart Schools, which nurture and empower students with special learning needs.

April
The firm elected Attorney David Banas as a Shareholder. He will also serve as a Director of the firm.

July
Attorney Blaine Brockman was elected to the national board of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

August
Attorneys Franklin Hickman and Janet Lowder were once again named among The Best Lawyers in America.  Frank was recognized for his work in education law.  Janet was recognized for her work in Elder Law, Litigation – Trusts & Estates, and Trusts & Estates.

October
Certified Intervention Specialist and Special Education Advocate Mary Jo O’Neill, M.Ed., joined our Special Education team.

December
Attorney Franklin Hickman received the Ohio Association of County Boards’ (OACB) Lifetime Achievement Award. This momentous award, which recognizes the recipients’ lifetime professional commitment to enhancing the lives of people with developmental disabilities, has been conferred just three times in OACB’s long history.

Attorneys Franklin Hickman, Janet Lowder, and David Banas were named among Ohio’s Super Lawyers. Franklin was recognized in the area of Education, Janet in the areas of Estate Planning & Probate, and David in the area of Elder Law.