Janet L. Lowder - Independence, OH
Attorney at Hickman Lowder Lidrbauch & Welch Co., L.P.A.
Special Needs Planning (Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Elder Law) Lawyers in Independence, OH
6450 Rockside Woods Blvd S Suite 165 Independence, OH 44131
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
34
Years
Experience
Independence Special Needs Planning (Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Elder Law) Lawyer
Updated: 02/28/2026
Areas of Practice
- Special Needs Planning (Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Elder Law)
- Elder Law
- Guardianship
- Medicaid Planning
- Probate
- Special Needs Estate Planning
- Special Needs Trusts
- Trust and Estate Administration
- Trusts
- Wills
Attorney Information
Overview
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.
Janet lives in the historic community of Bratenahl with her husband Dave and two terriers, Max and Fiona. She is an active member of Old Stone Church in Cleveland and enjoys reading, boating on Lake Erie, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- 2023 Distinguished Estate Planner Award from the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland
- AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®
- Selected to Super Lawyers since 2004
- Top 25 Women Super Lawyers in Cleveland (2015, 2016, 2021) and Top 50 Women Super Lawyers in Cleveland (2005, 2006)
- Named among Best Lawyers® since 2006
- Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Elder Law in the Cleveland area (2016, 2018, 2020, 2024); Lawyer of the Year for Trusts and Estates in the Cleveland area (2013)
- President’s Award from the Cleveland Trial Lawyers Association (2009)
- Cuyahoga County Board of DD's 2000 Top Hat Award
- Community Fund Management Foundation's Amicus Award (1999)
- Special Needs Alliance, Member & Former President
Other Sources of Feedback About Janet L. Lowder
Included on the 2026 Ohio Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2007 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Ohio Super Lawyers list
- 2004 Ohio Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law,
Cleveland,
Ohio, 1992
J.D.
Honors: summa cum laude
Law Review: Cleveland State Law Review, Associate Editor and Editor, 1990 - 1992
-
Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law,
Cleveland,
Ohio, 1992
-
Non Legal Education
-
Baldwin Wallace College,
Cleveland,
Ohio, 1973
B.A.
Honors: summa cum laude
-
Baldwin Wallace College,
Cleveland,
Ohio, 1973
Bar Admissions
- Ohio, 1992
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1993
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 1992
Specialties and Certifications
- Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) , National Elder Law Foundation
Other Affiliations
- Special Needs Alliance (Member & Former President)
- Community Fund Management Foundation (Founder)
- American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section (Co-Chair, Long-Term Care, Medicaid and Special Needs Trust Committee)
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Member)
- Woodruff Foundation (Trustee and Secretary)
Contact
6450 Rockside Woods Blvd S
Suite 165
Independence, OH 44131
Phone: 216-861-0360
Fax: 216-861-3113
Email: Send a message
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