About Janet
Attorney Janet L. Lowder has devoted her career to defining, promoting, and protecting the legal rights of the elderly and of persons with mental and physical disabilities. Janet's activities have encompassed individual representation, litigation on a local and state-wide scale, representation of agencies and county programs serving people with disabilities and the elderly, legislation, and publication in professional journals.Janet is a recognized authority on Medicaid issues and estate planning for families with special needs. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; certified in Elder Law (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation; and a member, and former president, of the Special Needs Alliance. She has served as Co-Chair of the Long Term Care, Medicaid and Special Needs Trust Committee of the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the American Bar Association. Additionally, she was one of the founders of the Community Fund Management Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides the Master Trust and the Pooled Medicaid Payback Trust for individuals with disabilities. Janet received her law degree, summa cum laude, from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.
Attorney Janet L. Lowder has devoted her career to defining, promoting, and protecting the legal rights of the elderly and of persons with mental and physical disabilities. Janet's activities have encompassed individual representation, litigation on a local and state-wide scale, representation of agencies and county programs serving people with disabilities and the elderly, legislation, and publication in professional journals.
Janet is a recognized authority on Medicaid issues and estate planning for families with special needs. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; certified in Elder Law (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation; and a member, and former president, of the Special Needs Alliance. She has served as Co-Chair of the Long Term Care, Medicaid and Special Needs Trust Committee of the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the American Bar Association. Additionally, she was one of the founders of the Community Fund Management Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides the Master Trust and the Pooled Medicaid Payback Trust for individuals with disabilities. Janet received her law degree, summa cum laude, from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.
Practice Areas
Education
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Lawyer of the Year: Elder Law, Cleveland (2026)
- Lawyer of the Year: Elder Law, Cleveland (2024)
- Lawyer of the Year: Elder Law, Cleveland (2020)
- Lawyer of the Year: Elder Law, Cleveland (2018)
- Lawyer of the Year: Elder Law, Cleveland (2016)
- Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Cleveland (2013)
- Recognized: Elder Law
- Recognized: Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- Recognized: Trusts and Estates
- Special Focus: Disability
- Special Focus: Elder
- Special Focus: Estate Planning
- Special Focus: Fiduciary Duties
- Special Focus: Nursing Homes
- Special Focus: Probate
- Special Focus: Special Needs
- Special Focus: Trust Administration
- Community Fund Management Foundation's Amicus Award
- Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities' Top Hat Award
- Special Needs Alliance Powley Elder Law Award
- Best Lawyers' 2013 Cleveland Trusts and Estates "Lawyer of the Year"
- Top 50 Women Lawyers in Ohio
- Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers President's Award
- Best Lawyers' 2016 Cleveland Elder Law "Lawyer of the Year"