BARBARA W. REYNOLDS

Certified Elder Law Attorney

  

Elder Law Attorney Barbara W. Reynolds assists clients in achieving financial and family goals while minimizing taxes and/or qualifying for Medicaid assistance. Attorney Reynolds, the founder of the Elder Law and Estate Planning firm Barbara W. Reynolds, LLC, located at 15 South Main Street, New Milford, Connecticut, has recently been selected as a Connecticut Super Lawyer as featured in Connecticut Magazine, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Attorney Reynolds is the only Certified Elder Law Attorney in Litchfield County. Currently serving as President of the New Milford Bar Association, Attorney Reynolds is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Elder Law and Estate and Probate sections of the Connecticut Bar Association. Having published many articles in state and local publications on Elder Law and estate planning, she recently authored "Blocking the Punch of Medicaid Reform" in a special Elder Law Supplement to the Connecticut Law Tribune. Attorney Reynolds is a frequent guest speaker for various professional and senior groups throughout the state.

Formerly an English teacher in the New Milford and Newtown schools, Attorney Reynolds received a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1993, where she won the American Jurisprudence Awards for excellence in Constitutional Law and Trial Practice. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio and her Master of Arts degree from New York University in English. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in educational administration from Fairfield University.

Barbara lives with her family in Warren, Connnecticut where she serves as a Justice of the Peace and formerly chaired the Board of Tax Review.

Email: bwr@barbarareynoldslaw.com
   
   
 
  We feel we are blessed with an incredible staff who have years of experience and expertise, together with cordial, helpful demeanors. A key part of the success of our law firm is attributed to these talented individuals.
   
  SUE FREDLUND
   

Sue is our business and office manager who manages the accounting and finances of our firm including general ledger, billing, accounts payable, receivables, marketing, and advertising. Additionally she ensures that all the necessary equipment and support is in place to allow the office to function smoothly and efficiently. An experienced corporate/commercial and real estate paralegal, Sue also oversees real estate transactions.

Sue earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree magna cum laude in Finance from Western Connecticut State University and holds a comprehensive certificate in paralegal studies from Fairfield University. An avid thoroughbred horse racing fan, Sue also enjoys field training with her Labrador, Gus, cooking and motorcycling with her husband Gene. Her daughter, Katrina, is a recent Hamilton College graduate and now works at Bank of America Securities in Los Angeles.

   
  DEBBIE CHIANESE
   

Debbie Chianese is our legal assistant who prepares all Medicaid applications and works closely with family members, guiding them through the intricacies of the Medicaid application process and ensuring that all State deadlines are met. Debbie previously worked for the Department of Social Services for many years, and has excellent knowledge of the State of Connecticut Title 19 regulations.

Debbie earned her B.A. in Psychology from Merrimack College. She is the proud mother of two sons, Anthony, Jr., who recently received his doctorate in chemistry from Yale University, and James, a recent graduate from SCSU. Debbie enjoys reading and taking camping trips with her husband Tony and their two golden retrievers, Jake and Elwood.

   
  MARLENE KIRCHNER
   

Marlene is our Probate and Real Estate paralegal responsible for ensuring Probate and Real Estate matters are executed in a professional, timely and efficient manner. Marlene has many years of experience working in the legal field and is highly skilled in handling all aspects of Estate settlement and Probate matters, as well as Real Estate sales, purchases and refinances. Marlene enjoys the direct client contact her position entails; she is also a Notary Public.

Marlene attended Central Connecticut State University and has a Paralegal Certificate from Branford Hall Career Institute. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, hiking, cooking and spending time with her husband and two daughters.

   
  LINDA D. O'CONNELL
   

Linda is a legal assistant who greets everyone, schedules appointments, prepares documents and acts as a witness when documents are signed, and answers general questions. Linda also assists on Conservatorship files, prepares correspondence, files documents, keeps track of all staff members' whereabouts and maintains the calendar.

Linda holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, with minors in Psychology and English Literature. Previously she taught the 4th -8th grade program for the Gifted and Talented at Sharon Center School, and also ran the office for her family-owned swimming pool business. Linda has a daughter Jaclyn, who teaches special education in Ashford, Connecticut, and a son Daniel, who is an engineer for DeWalt in Maryland.

In her free time, Linda enjoys decorating and gardening.

   
  BETH KENNEDY
   

Beth offers assistance and support to everyone in our office. She maintains Power of Attorney files, assists with Conservatorships and Medicaid applications. She manages and organizes all closed files. When needed she reviews documents, does title bring-to-date searches and records real estate transactions. She also supports the staff with photocopying, filing, witnessing, notarizing and answering the telephone.

Beth has a B.S. degree in Pharmacy from Mercer Southern School of Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. She retired from pharmacy to raise her three children. Her daughter, Jennifer is now married and a practicing Physician Assistant in MA. Her son, Christopher graduated from West Point in 2006 and is stationed in Germany with the 1st Armored Division, and her son, Sean is a manager of a Sprint/Nextel Customer Service Center in Danbury. Beth and her husband Jim now enjoy traveling to visit with their children or just staying home with their two dogs and cat.

   
  PAMELA M. SIERACKI
   

Pamela answers telephone calls to the office and welcomes everyone who walks through our doors. Pamela maintains the firm's calendars, schedules appointments, reviews Estate Planning documents and assists Barbara with numerous clerical tasks.

Pamela received an Associates Degree in Human Resources from Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA. She continued her education at U-Mass Boston where she majored in Human Resource Management. Pamela is the mother of two boys, ages 15 & 17. She enjoys spending time with her family, power walking & decorating.