Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples

Joan Burda - Joan M. Burda practices law in Lakewood, Ohio. Her estate planning practice is primarily devoted to meeting the needs of lesbian and gay individuals and couples. She also works with micro and small business owners. Ms. Burda is the author of the award winning book, Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples (ABA 2004). She is also the author of Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Clients: A Lawyer's Guide (ABA 2008) and An Overview of Federal Consumer Law (ABA 1998). In addition, she writes about LGBT legal issues and other legal topics for various online and print publications. Ms. Burda speaks nationally on LGBT issues. Ms. Burda is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law where she teaches Sexual Orientation and the Law. She is an adjunct faculty member at Ursuline College and teaches Civil Procedure, Contracts and Administrative Law. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She is also the former Editor-in-Chief of GPSOLO, the ABA's General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division magazine. Ms. Burda graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree and received her law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. Ms. Burda lives in Lakewood, Ohio with her spouse, Betsy.