Amanda M. Buzo - Independence, OH

Attorney Amanda M. Buzo has devoted her career to serving individuals with special needs and their families. Her legal practice is concentrated in the areas of special needs estate planning, guardianships, elder law, estate administration, and other probate matters.

Amanda was an associate attorney at Hickman Lowder from 2005 through 2013 and returned to practicing law at Hickman Lowder in August 2024. During her time away from the firm, she served as the Executive Director of Community Fund Ohio. Co-founded by Hickman Lowder attorney Janet L. Lowder, Community Fund Ohio strives to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities by protecting their eligibility for government benefits and funding their current and future needs through pooled special needs trusts, grants, community education, and related services.

Her experience with Community Fund Ohio and her previous work as a practicing attorney have provided her with an in-depth knowledge of estate planning for people with special needs, including special needs trusts, establishing guardianships, and maintaining government benefits. Amanda advises guardians and special needs trust trustees on their respective fiduciary responsibilities. She works with individuals or their attorneys to provide advice regarding the impact of settlements on government benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, to establish minor and adult guardianships, and administer wrongful death settlements. Amanda advises clients on the necessity of guardianship, special needs trusts, wrongful death trusts, qualified settlement funds, and/or Medicare and Medicaid lien resolution. She also counsels domestic relations attorneys and their clients regarding the legal impact of divorce on government benefits for spouses or children with disabilities.

Amanda graduated from the University of Akron School of Law. She is a member of the Ohio State, Cleveland Metropolitan, and Lorain County Bar Associations, as well as a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland. Amanda has been recognized as a 2010 and 2016 Rising Star by Ohio Super Lawyers; a distinction offered to only 2.5% of Ohio attorneys. She is also a 2015 Best Lawyers® award recipient.

Amanda resides in Lorain County with her family and dogs. When she is not enjoying a good book or listening to a podcast, you can find Amanda exploring the Metro Parks, attending high intensity interval training classes, or watching The Ohio State University football.