What We Do
We provide legal help and expertise with Estate Planning, Medicaid, Special Needs and Elder Law. From preparing for future life-changing events, to quickly handling immediate needs regarding long-term care, our firm provides comprehensive assistance to you and your family for every step of the way.
Why We Do It
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, our firm is community-focused and community-first. We know that the areas of practice we cover are often difficult to maneuver and are critical for lifelong support. Burke & Pecquet is a firm that rolls up our sleeves and is by your side to prepare and plan for what will support you, your loved ones, and your family the best.
Our Team
ATTOrney at law
Ashley Shannon Burke, CELA, CAP
Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by The Ohio State Bar Association and The National Elder Law Foundation, Ms. Burke represents clients in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate Administration and is admitted to the practice of law within the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the District Court for Southern District of Ohio. She is also a member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP).
She advises and assists clients on Medicaid, estate planning for families with disabilities, lifetime gifting and transfers at death, asset protection, and with trust and estate administration.
Ms. Burke obtained her law degree, Cum Laude, from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2009. In 2006, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology, Summa Cum Laude, from The Ohio State University.
She is a frequent speaker on Elder law and Special Needs law matters and participates in various community organizations involved with providing services to consumers who are disabled.
Bar Admissions
Ohio
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
Kentucky
Activities & Affiliations
Past Chair of the Ohio State Bar Association Elder Law and Special Needs Law Section
Vice-Chair of the Cincinnati Bar Association’s Elder Law Committee
Past-President and Treasurer for the Ohio Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
Member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Kentucky Bar Association, and the Cincinnati Bar Association
Member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners
Board Member for Pro Seniors, Inc. and Disability Foundation
Awards
Cincinnati Magazine's Rising Star Super Lawyer in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022
Ohio Super Lawyer 2023
of counsel
Janet E. Pecquet
Ms. Pecquet practices in the area of Elder Law, primarily focusing on planning for Medicaid eligibility. Having represented hundreds of consumers before the Medicaid Agency, she has provided help for individuals who are institutionalized in a nursing or assisted living facility, or that are living at home and seeking home and community-based care.
She also advises individuals and parents of children with special needs on estate planning and special needs trusts, as well as focuses on long-term care insurance and private insurance denials.
Ms. Pecquet received her Law Degree from Southwestern University in 1980, where she was a member of the Law Review. She also received her Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Long Beach.
She is a frequent speaker on Elder Law matters and participates in various community organizations involved in providing services to consumers who are aged and have special needs.
Bar Admissions
California (1981)
Ohio (1981)
Arkansas (1981), retired
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio (1982)
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio (1982)
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas (1982)
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
Activities & Affiliations
She has served as Chair of the Elder Law Committee of the Cincinnati Bar Association
Past Chair of the Advisory Council for the Elderly Services Program of the Council on Aging
Past President and past Secretary for the Association for Professionals in Aging
Past Chair and Recording Secretary of the Elder and Special Needs Law Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association
Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Volunteer at the St. George Interfaith Food Pantry
Awards
Best Lawyers Business Magazine Lawyer of the Year Honoree in 2017
Association for Professionals in Aging Outstanding Leader in the Field of Aging 2014,
Frank Gorman Outstanding Volunteer Award, NAMI of Southwest Ohio, 2018
PLAN of Southwest Ohio 2016 Appreciation Award
Volunteer of the Year Award 2008
Super Lawyer Ohio since 2006
ATTOrney at law
Kristin K. Booth
Kristin is a trusted advisor with over 25 years of experience in estate planning, probate administration, guardianships, trust administration, long-term care and special needs planning. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Education and obtained her law degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. After practicing in the area of estate planning and probate for over 10 years, she took a position with the high net worth trust department of a national bank for over four years and was able to acquire extensive hands-on experience on the corporate fiduciary side of estate planning, which gives her a unique perspective when drafting estate plans. By meeting with clients not only at our office, but also via phone, video conferencing, or meeting clients at their home or office, she strives to put expert legal services within reach of all clients. She counsels families from the beginning of the estate planning process, through long-term care planning as well as through final administration of estates and trusts with not only great expertise but with care and compassion.
Bar Admissions
Ohio
Michigan
Kentucky
of COUNSEL
Julie Bodnar
Ms. Bodnar is Of Counsel with Burke & Pecquet LLC and practices in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, estate & gift taxation, and charitable giving.
Ms. Bodnar brings a diversified background having worked not only as an attorney, but also in the tax departments of two global accounting firms, and as a vice-president/consultant at a wealth management firm.
Ms. Bodnar graduated in 1978 from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. She obtained her law degree in 1984 at the University of Akron School of Law as well as a Masters in Taxation at the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio.
With over 35 years of experience, Ms. Bodnar enjoys working with clients and their advisors to explore options and design an estate plan that carries out their specific wishes.
Bar Admissions
Ohio, 1984
Legal assistant
Cara Bussell
Ms. Bussell received her Bachelor’s Degree from SDSU. She has more than 6 years of experience in Long Term Care and Medicaid. She enjoys using her knowledge to help guide others through this difficult and confusing time. Her goal is to make the Medicaid process as smooth as possible.
In her free time, Cara enjoys being outside and spending time with her family and friends.
Legal Assistant
Ginny Shafer
Ms. Shafer attended the University of Cincinnati. She has been a legal assistant for more than 6 years. She believes the best part about working in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Special Needs is being able to help those who may not always be able to help themselves.
In her free time, Ginny enjoys going to concerts and spending time with her family and friends.
LEgal assistant
Anne G. Wilker
Ms. Wilker is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio, and has been working with the Burke & Pecquet attorneys for over thirteen years.
Ms. Wilker received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Gerontology from Miami University. She then worked for a non-profit that served low-income elderly in urban Chicago. Returning to her home town of Cincinnati, she spent 14 years as a social worker and Social Work Director for long-term care facilities before joining Janet Pecquet and Ashley Burke in the field of Elder Law.