A woman smiling and looking at a black and tan dog outdoors with trees in the background.

A Little About Me:

Jenny was born and raised in Shelby County, Alabama. She attended college and graduate school at UAB where she was a member of the Women’s Track & Cross-Country Team. After completing my degrees, Jenny moved to Japan, where she lived on the small island of Iki, Nagasaki for two years. During that time, she earned her advanced scuba diving certification and traveled throughout Southeast Asia. She now lives in Birmingham with her husband, Kerry, their three children, and four rescue dogs.

In 2011, Jenny secured a $500,000 grant to bring a Dream Dog Park to her hometown of Alabaster, located in Veteran's Park on Highway 119 — built in honor of her dog, Honey Belle, who was found as a stray in the park and passed away in 2023.

Jenny believes her responsibility to her clients extends beyond the courtroom and into the community they share. She's deeply involved in local initiatives, giving back through volunteer work, pro bono services, and partnerships with organizations that support families and individuals with special needs. For Jenny, estate planning is ultimately about protecting the people you care about — and that same value drives her community involvement, because a strong, supported community is one where everyone has the opportunity to plan for the future and protect what matters most.

She currently serves on the following boards:

President, 310 Board of Central Alabama
President, Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution
Vice President, ARC of Shelby County
Vice President, Down Syndrome Alabama
Secretary, Undefined Birmingham
Shelby Humane Society
Studio by the Tracks
Special Siblings
25:35
Development Committee, Birmingham Zoo

Jenny is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham (2023), Partners in Policymaking Alabama (2022), Leadership Shelby County (2012), and the Birmingham Bar Association's Leadership Forum (2011).

I am a graduate of Leadership Birmingham (2023), Leadership Shelby County (2012), Partners in Policymaking Alabama (2022), and Birmingham Bar Association’s Leadership Forum (2011).

Meet Jenny.

I devote my practice to serving families and small businesses throughout the state of Alabama. My estate planning practice is centered primarily on elder law and representing families with special needs children, an area of law often referred to as special needs planning.

Elder law is a legal practice area focused on the unique legal needs of older adults and their families. It typically encompasses estate planning, long-term care and Medicaid planning, guardianship and conservatorship matters, powers of attorney and healthcare directives, asset protection, and planning for incapacity. Elder law attorneys help clients navigate complex issues related to aging, such as qualifying for government benefits, protecting assets from the high cost of nursing home care, and ensuring a person's wishes are honored if they become unable to make decisions for themselves. The goal is to help older adults and their families plan ahead with confidence, while preserving dignity, independence, and financial security as much as possible.

Special needs planning is a focused area of estate planning designed to protect and provide for a family member who has a disability or who currently receives, or may in the future receive, needs-based government assistance, such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. Because eligibility for these benefits is often tied to strict income and asset limits, careful planning is essential to provide for a loved one's quality of life without jeopardizing their access to critical support. This typically involves tools such as special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and coordinated long-term planning that addresses guardianship, education advocacy, and future care needs. The goal of special needs planning is to give families peace of mind, knowing their loved one will be cared for and protected, both now and well into the future.

I began my legal career at a large firm, where I focused on financial litigation. My professional path changed course after I adopted my middle child, who has special needs. As I worked to secure the right resources and support for my daughter, I encountered firsthand how few attorneys truly understood the needs of families like mine. That experience reshaped my understanding of what it means to be an effective advocate, and it ultimately led me to redirect my practice toward special needs planning and advocacy.

Today, a central focus of my work is helping families navigate the complexities of special needs advocacy. I bring both legal training and personal experience to this work, having walked the same path many of my clients are walking now. I help families understand and engage effectively in the special education system, including IEP meetings, and I assist them in securing the services, accommodations, and long-term planning their children need to thrive.

Over the years, I have come to know many of my clients not only as parents, but as business owners. As I assisted families with their personal and estate planning matters, I frequently found that they also needed trusted counsel for their businesses. This dual role has become a natural extension of my practice: I serve as a trusted advisor not only for my clients' families, but also for their business interests. My business practice includes entity formation, general corporate and business law matters, and related litigation, as well as substantial experience in the formation and management of nonprofit organizations.

My commitment to the families I serve extends beyond the office. I am actively involved in our local community, supporting organizations dedicated to families of children with special needs, and I believe strongly in giving back to a community that has supported my own family throughout our journey. Whether through pro bono guidance, community education on special needs planning, or simply serving as a resource for families navigating an unfamiliar system, this work reflects the same advocacy that drives my legal practice every day.

I see my role as both a family advocate and a trusted advisor to small businesses. Through the process of estate planning and special needs advocacy, I come to know my clients and their families on a personal level. This understanding allows me to help position your family, and your loved one with special needs, for the best possible future, however you choose to define that success.

My Approach

Proper estate planning is a gift you leave for your loved ones. By adequately preparing for an unexpected (or expected) illness or death, you can eliminate or reduce the stress and pressures placed on loved ones during an otherwise emotional time. In your estate planning, you will address legal, medical and spiritual beliefs and wishes. Many of these wishes are deeply personal and, in many cases, have never been discussed. To me, the process of facing these otherwise difficult questions is an act of love. By clearly spelling out your final wishes through our estate planning process, you ensure that your wishes have been communicated and reduce potential conflict among the loved ones you leave behind.

Estate planning can also be tailored for specific medical issues like mental health illness. I have experience in advising clients on the proper use of Advance Healthcare Directives to specify treatment in the event of a mental health crisis. This is a wonderful tool that families which include special needs children or other individuals with disabilities can utilize to ensure that specific treatment is used—or not used—in the event they should become incapacitated.

The estate plan is a road map for your family and loved ones to follow in the event that you become disabled or pass away. This comprehensive plan prepares your loved ones for the unexpected.

Publications

“When Winning Can be Losing: Special Care in Settling Claims for Clients with Special Needs,” 46 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 329, Mar 1, 2023

“‘He Started It’ Is Not a Defense to Attorney Misconduct," DRI The Whisper, Mar 1, 2010

“State Attorneys General Strong-Arm Mortgage Lenders,” ABA Business Torts Journal, Sep 1, 2009

“To Argue is Human, To Exclude, Divine: The Role of Motions in Limine and the Importance of Preserving the Record on Appeal,” 32 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 541, Jan 1, 2009

Education

LL.M. in Taxation, Washington University School of Law in St. Louis

J.D., cum laude, Indiana University School of Law

M.A., summa cum laude with distinction, University of Alabama at Birmingham

B.A., magna cum laude with distinction, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Speeches (2023-2026)

“West Virginia Medicaid Lookback Rules and Planning,” National Business Institute, June 2026

“Ethical Tips for Representing Aging Clients,” National Business Institute, May 2026

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: Planning for the Future,” Gadsden Autism Network, April 2026

“Financial Planning for you and your disabled loved one,” CRS Muscle Shoals, April 2026

“Taxation of Special Needs Trusts,” BarBri/Strafford, April 2026

“Understanding Trusts: Why Some Structures Provide More Protections,” National Business Institute, March 2026

“Financial Planning for you and your disabled loved one,” UAB Regional Autism Network, January 2026

“ABLE Accounts and the Age Adjustment Act,” ABLE National Resource Center, January 2026

“The Ultimate Guide to ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts: Eligibility and Requirements, Application, Funding, and Tax Planning,” Stafford BARBRI, December 2025

“Alaska Elder Law: Essential Knowledge and Updates,” Alaska Bar Association, Elder Law Section, December 2025

“Alaska Probate: Essential Knowledge and Updates,” National Business Institute, December 2025

“Alabama Probate Process: In 7 Simple Steps,” National Business Institute, December 2025

“Alabama Probate and Trust Administration,” National Bar Association, November 2025

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Practitioner Should Know,” Federal Bar Association, November 2025

“Trusts in Estate Administration,” National Business Institute, October 2025

“Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts in Alabama,” National Business Institute, October 2025

“Estate Closing and Trust Administration Tasks, Forms, and Procedures: A Quick Guide,” National Business Institute, September 2025

“Alabama Probate Process from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, September 2025

“Living a More Independent Life with Proper Planning,” Alabama disAbility Conference: Illuminate the Great, September 2025

“Understanding Trusts: Why Some Structures Provide More Protections Than Others,” National Business Institute, August 2025

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Practitioner Should Know,” Federal Bar Association, July 2025

“Advanced Estate Administration: Final Accounting Strategies,” National Business Institute, July 2025

“Document Prep Tips from Experienced Trusts and Estates Paralegals: Ensure Estate Plans are Cohesive and Well-Crafted,” National Business Institute, July 2025

“Estate Planning in Maryland: From A to Z,” National Business Institute, May 2025.

“Kansas Trust Guide: Exploring the Building Blocks of Estate Plans,” National Business Institute, May 2025.

“Special Needs Trusts: Attorney and Trustee Perspectives,” National Business Institute, May 2025.

“IEP Planning,” Undefined Birmingham and The Bell Center, April 2025.

“SNTs and Elder Law Planning: What Practitioners Need to Know,” Alabama Sate Bar Elder Law Section, April 2025.

“SNTs and ABLE Accounts: What Every Parent Should Know,” United Cerebral Palsy of East Central AL, April 2025.

“Financial Planning and Guardianship,” Stepping Stones Conference, United Ability, April 2025.

“Alabama Estate Administration from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, March 2025.

“Wrapping Up Estate Administration 101: Final Accounting, Tax, Distributions, and More,” National Business Institute, March 2025.

“Understanding Trusts: Why Some Structures Provide More Protections Than Others,” National Business Institute, February 2025.

“Medicaid Planning: Tackling Tough Eligibility Scenarios,” National Business Institute, January 2025.

“SNTs and ABLE Accounts: What Every Parent Should Know,” The Arc of Shelby County Parent Workshop, December 2024.

“Drafting a Simple Revocable Living Trust (With Bonus Special Use Clauses),” National Business Institute, December 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and Medicaid Planning,” Alaska Bar Association: Elder Law Section, December 2024.

“The Alabama Probate Playbook: Strategies for Legal and Financial Professionals,” National Business Institute, December 2024.

“Drafting Essential Estate Planning Documents,” National Business Institute, November 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Practitioner Should Know,” Federal Bar Association, November 2024.

“SNTs, Guardianships, and ABLE Accounts,” SECCO Unlocking the Mystery Conference Series, November 2024.

“Navigating Tax Challenges of ABLE Accounts and SNTs,” Strafford BARBRI, November 2024.

“A Deeper Dive into Probate: Insolvent Estates,” National Business Institute, November 2024.

“Final Accounting: Estate Administration Essentials,” Federal Bar Association, October 2024.

“Trusts in Alabama from A to Z,” National Business Institute, October 2024.

“Probate Horror Stories: Nightmare PRs, Warring Beneficiaries, and Vampire Creditors,” National Business Institute, October 2024.

“Alabama Probate Process from Start to Finish: Handling Probate from Initial Notices through Estate Closing,” National Business Institute, September 2024.

“Medicaid Planning: Underwater Rocks and Dangerous Mistakes,” National Business Institute, September 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and Guardianships: Planning made perfect,” Glenwood, September 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Parent Should Know,” Arc Statewide DisABILITY Conference, September 2024.

“Trusts: Start to Finish,” Cullman County Bar Continuing Legal Education, September 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Practitioner Should Know,” National Business Institute, August 2024.

“Estate Administration 101: Case Studies and War Stories,” National Business Institute, August 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Parent Should Know,” Vivan B. Adams School, August 2024.

“Advanced Estate Administration,” National Business Institute, July 2024.

“Medicaid Planning: Tackling Tough Eligibility Scenarios,” National Business Institute, July 2024.

“Vermont Medicaid Asset Planning: A Practical Toolkit,” National Business Institute, June 2024.

“Alabama Estate Administration from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, June 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: Your Child’s Path to Independence,” Alabama Parent Education Center, April 2024.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: What Every Parent Should Know,” April 2024, Undefined Birmingham and The Bell Center.

“Trusts From Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, March 2024.

“Lunch and Learn: Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts,” Down Syndrome Alabama, March 2024.

“Old Tools and New Rules: Updating Your Small Estates Tactics,” National Business Institute, March 2024.

“PROBATE: Complete Walkthrough with Checklists,” National Business Institute, March 2024.

“Lunch and Learn: Guardianships and Alternatives,” Down Syndrome Alabama, February 2024.

“Tax and Accounting Basics for Trusts and Estates Attorneys,” National Business Institute, February 2024.

“Lunch and Learn: What you Need to know about SSA,” Down Syndrome Alabama, January 2024.

“Safety with Identification,” The ARC of Shelby County, January 2024.

“Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts in Alabama,” January 2024.

“Supplemental Needs Trust Structures, Uses, and Key Provisions,” National Business Institute, December 2023.

“Nevada Trusts 101,” National Business Institute, December 2023.

“Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts,” ARC of Alabama's disABILITY Conference, December 2023.

“Medicaid Asset Transfer Rules and Techniques,” National Business Insititute, November 2023.

“Special Needs Trusts 2023,” National Business Institute, November 2023.

“Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts in Alabama,” National Business Institute, November 2023.

“Trusts From Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, September 2023.

“Special Needs Trusts 2023,” National Business Institute, August 2023.

“Special Needs Trusts Primer: Drafting, Uses, Benefits Eligibility, ” National Business Institute, September 2023.

“Special Needs Trusts Primer: Drafting, Uses, Benefits Eligibility,” National Business Institute, April 2023.

“Guardianships and the Available Alternatives: What Every Parent Should Know,” Transition Hot Topics, March 2023.

“Texas Special Needs Trusts,” National Business Institute, February 2023.

President, Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Authority (310 Board). She is active on the Executive Committee and serving as President for the organization.
President, Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for GASP. She is active on the Executive Committee and serving as Treasurer for the organization.
Vice President, Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for Down Syndrome Alabama. She is active on the compliance and education committees.
Vice PResident, Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for the Arc of Shelby County. She is active on the finance committee, development committee, and the compliance committee.
Secretary, Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for Undefined Birmingham. She is active on the Executive Committee by serving as Secretary for the organization.
Board Member

Studio By The Tracks is a community arts studio serving artists on the autism spectrum. We provide opportunities for social connection and creative expression in a supportive, inclusive environment with all materials and instruction offered at no cost to our Studio Artists.
President, Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for Special Siblings. She is active on the Executive Committee and serving as Co-President for the organization.
Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for Shelby County Humane Society. She is active on the governance committee. She serves as counsel for the organization.
Board Member

Jenny serves on the Board of Directors for 25:35. She is active with the organization which provides food, clothing, and wish items to children in need in Jefferson County schools.
Den Leader, Pack 320

Jenny is the leader for the Bears, Pack 320.
Co-Chair, Consumer Advisory Committee

The UAB Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities strives to improve the well-being and quality of life across the lifespan for individuals and families impacted by developmental disabilities in Alabama and beyond through clinical and community service, education, research, and advocacy.
Vice Chair, B'ham Bar Probate Section

Founded in 1885, the Birmingham Bar is one of the oldest local bar associations in the United States and is almost as old as the city of Birmingham itself, which was founded in 1871. The Birmingham Bar works to support its almost 3,000 members in their practices and to promote justice and public service. It accomplishes these goals by furthering the legal education of its members, promoting needed reform in the law, facilitating access to justice, and encouraging camaraderie, integrity, and a spirit of courtesy and goodwill among its membership.