Meet The Brumbaugh Law Firm Team

Upon receiving a Mechanical Engineering degree, Michael went to Toledo University Law School where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and became a member of the Order of the Coif which is an honor society for law school graduates who graduate in the top10% of their class. He then worked as a staff attorney for a United States Federal Judge.

After opening his office, Michael discovered his passion was helping people with their estate planning. As time went on, he discovered that while helping people with traditional estate planning focused on what happens happens upon death was very important, it failed to address the problems that occur when a family faces long term care issues. As a result, Michael now also assists clients in developing plans that answer the following crucial question: What happens, if prior to passing, you need long term care that may last for months and even years? He is a member of Elder Counsel, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Ohio Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law attorneys where he served as the organization’s President from 2011 to 2013. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and a graduate of the Veteran’s Benefit Institute and is an accredited attorney with the Veteran’s Administration.

Michael practices in the areas of estate planning and elder law, helping clients and their families to integrate their legal, financial, and personal care needs into a plan to enhance the quality of life for seniors, those with disabilities, and their families. He assists families to protect assets, coordinate care, and gain peace of mind.

He is a frequent speaker and presenter to seniors, caregivers, support groups, and the general public. He does monthly workshops to educate people on the pitfalls to avoid when planning and how to protect themselves and their families.

He is also an author and co-author of several books.

Co-author, “Don’t Go Broke in a Nursing Home!”
Co-author, “Tax-Free Money for Long-Term Care”
Co-Author, “You’re Not Alone: Living as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver”
Co-Author, “You’re Not Alone: Living with Alzheimer’s Disease”
Co-Author, “You’re Not Alone: Living with Dementia”

Pam is a licensed social worker and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a Certified Dementia Practitioner trainer. During her career, she has worked with countless families in various arenas. She has been using her compassion, knowledge and skills at Brumbaugh Law Firm since 2015. She understands that those who come to the firm may be overwhelmed caring for a loved one and she offers guidance and support.

Pam leads the long term care team and works closely with families dealing Alzheimer’s, dementia or other types of debilitating illnesses seeking long term care and Medicaid to provide a range of services, including: 1) short term counseling and guidance regarding long term care options; 2) assistance in applying for Medicaid including reviewing documents to determine if they will comply with Medicaid rules, assisting with strategy, and working with Medicaid caseworkers; and 3) care management and navigation services. Pam is knowledgeable of the community and can assist families as they navigate the myriad of community services.

Pam is an active member of the local Financial Abuse Task Forces and the Bridge Network (a group of long term care organizations ).

Previously, Pam served as: Executive Director of United Way of Erie County Victim Assistance Director for the Erie County Prosecutor’s Office to assist victims of crime navigating the criminal justice system; social worker for Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter assisting victims of violence; and, social worker/discharge planner for Fisher Titus Hospital and Norwalk Memorial Home. Pam has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Bowling Green State University and a Masters in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Cleveland State University. Pam is an active Rotarian with the Sandusky Rotary Club and is a Community Educator for the NW Ohio Alzheimer’s Association. She is a life-long resident of Sandusky. She and Michael have 2 daughters, Deidre Windau and Amanda Fitzthum. Amanda also works at the Firm.

Amanda joined the firm in 2019 as a Client Services Coordinator and in 2021 was promoted to the position of Operations Manager. Her focus is on the operations side of the firm. She loves to think about process and procedure, ultimately ensuring a positive client experience. Amanda brings to the Firm her innate ability for project management, administration and client engagement… all along with a love of interaction with people.

Amanda is the daughter of Michael and Pam. She returned to the area from Raleigh, North Carolina to work at the Firm. She is married to Josh and has two fur babies.

Attorney Randy Knavel joined Brumbaugh Law Firm in 2024 as an associate attorney. As an associate attorney, he assists clients with their estate planning needs. With nearly 30 years of experience practicing estate planning, probate, and elder law in Northeast Ohio, Randy brings a wealth of knowledge and a personalized approach to every client interaction.

Randy graduated magna cum laude from The University of Toledo and earned his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law. His professional background also includes an extensive career in financial planning, having served as an Investment Advisor Representative. Additionally, Randy holds a National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®) certificate, which enhances his ability to guide clients through complex financial and legal decisions.

Randy's dedication to elder law stems from a deeply personal experience: his father’s battle with dementia and the profound impact it had on his family. This drives his passion to help others navigate the challenges of aging, long-term care, and asset protection. Known for his excellent public speaking skills, legal expertise, and analytical problem-solving abilities, Randy ensures his clients feel informed and empowered throughout the planning process.

Beyond his legal practice, Randy is actively engaged in his community. He is involved with his local church and volunteers regularly at Second Harvest Food Bank. In his free time, Randy enjoys playing the bass guitar, reading, and exploring new restaurants. Randy Knavel is committed to helping families secure their future and protect their loved ones with thoughtful and strategic legal guidance.

Seth is a Junior Paralegal at Brumbaugh Law Firm and works in the drafting department. He has been with the firm since May, 2022.

Seth has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and completed his internship at a public relations and events management wherein he worked with different companies including MAC Cosmetics, AIA Group and UBER. Seth started his legal career in 2018 as a legal assistant in personal injury law firm with over 4 years of combined experience practicing in the State of Texas and Georgia.

Jumping from personal injury to elder law practice , Seth chose to work with vulnerable populations which include the elderly. This opportunity provides him with a unique perspective and insight that he uses daily in his role at the firm where he can help others during challenging times.
Seth is an integral part of the estate planning team as he drafts various estate planning documents such as last will and testament, deed transfers, revocable and irrevocable trust. Given how complex these estate planning documents are, he takes care of it with pride, integrity, above average attention to details and with a conservative, careful and cautious approach to work. He makes sure that everything should be done with what clients want to envision with their estate and long-term care planning.

During his free time, Seth enjoys hanging out in a coffee shop, eating out, watching movies and television series, and walking around the city.

“The greatest good is what we do for others” -Mother Teresa

Candece is a Junior Paralegal at Brumbaugh Law Firm and works in the drafting department. She has been with the firm since November, 2022. She assists in drafting and reviewing legal documents, gathers necessary information, schedules appointments, updates databases, and track systems to ensure everything is in order.
Candece is a dedicated and detail-oriented Junior Paralegal. Currently, she is furthering her expertise by pursuing a Juris Doctor Degree in the Philippines, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.

Candece's commitment to Elder Law is evident through her conscientious work as a junior paralegal at Brumbaugh Law Firm, where she has honed her skills in estate planning and legal documentation. She is dedicated to assisting attorneys in providing comprehensive legal support to address the unique challenges faced by the elderly, including estate planning, and long-term care arrangements. Her role allows her to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of our senior community, reinforcing her passion for elder law and her commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.

Candece participates in community outreach programs to educate seniors and their families about their legal rights and available resources.
 When not at work, Candece finds joy in immersing herself in a good book. She also has a deep appreciation for nature, often spending her free time surrounded by its beauty. Whether it's a peaceful walk in the park, a hike through the mountains, or simply sitting by a serene lake, Candece feels most at home in nature.

Ashley joined Brumbaugh Law Firm in September, 2024 as the Client Services Coordinator for Estate Planning and Estate Administration. In this role, Ashley provides crucial administrative support to the team, ensuring a seamless experience for clients during what can be a complex and emotional process.

Ashley brings over a decade of experience in administrative and client-facing roles. She spent four years in ER Registration at Bellevue Hospital, where she registered patients in the ER, Lab, and Maternity departments while adhering strictly to HIPAA regulations to maintain patient confidentiality. Following that, she worked for seven years at ThorWorks Industries as a receptionist, where she managed phone communications and assisted colleagues with various tasks.

Ashley has always had a passion for wanting to help others and give back to the community. For several years she was a Group Fitness Instructor that taught multiple classes including Silver Sneakers which was a group fitness class specifically for seniors. She wanted to get back into a work setting where she was able to help and give back to senior citizens.

Ashley is known for her compassion, adaptability, strong communication skills, punctuality, and efficiency. Her dedication to her work and her clients is evident in her strong work ethic and ability to manage tasks effectively.

When she is not working, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, walking, and spending time
with her family and friends.

``Make Strengths Out of Your Weaknesses``

Jody Patynko comes to the Brumbaugh Law Firm with over 10 years of experience as a LicensedNursing Home Administrator. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’sdegree in Gerontology-Long Term Care Administration. She also has an associate’s degree from TerraState Community College with a focus as a social work assistant. She has spent over 20 years as anAdvocate for people, include crime victims, women, children and the elderly population. Jody is aCertified Dementia Practitioner who is passionate about helping seniors and families and offeringcommunity resources.

Edith has been with the firm since July, 2024. She assists the Medicaid department with drafting, client contact and file organization.

She has over 5 years’ experience in employment law, corporate law and health and safety law. She holds two law degrees and a certificate in legal project management. Due to her diverse work experience she brings a fresh perspective to solving the complexities of Medicaid.

Edith has a passion for law and loves taking on challenges. She was raised by her grandparents and feels called to assist elders and their families. Her adaptability and work ethic fuel her determination to always go the extra mile for clients.

She volunteers at her local church where she assists with community outreach programs.

When she is not working, Edith enjoys watching true crime documentaries, reading fictional books and spending time with her husband and son.

Kris joined Brumbaugh Law Firm in 2015 as a Legal Assistant. Because of her dedication, hard work and passion for what she does, she was promoted to Senior Paralegal in 2022. As Senior Paralegal, Kris works on with estate planning and Estate Administration (includes Trust administration and Probate) cases. She helps Michael prepare clients’ estates with the best protection possible. Kris has compassion with clients are navigating paperwork and the legal requirements of Estate Administration.

Sheryll has a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in Political Science. She is a dedicated professional with an extensive background in a variety of office administration duties as She worked for over 10 years as Administrative Officer and Secretary in five star resorts in Dubai, UAE. She moved back to the Philippines in 2019 and then worked as an Executive Legal Assistant with Legalist, Inc in San Francisco, California before joining Brumbaugh Law Firm in January 2022.

She loves going to the gym and hiking but a day with her dogs on the beach is happiness for her.

Taylor joined Brumbaugh Law Firm in September, 2024 as a Client Engagement Specialist. She plays a vital role in guiding potential clients through their first interactions with the firm. She handles client intake and assists with workshops to ensure a smooth and welcoming experience as clients take the important first step toward securing their legal and financial future.

Taylor served 10 years in the United States Navy as an Operation Specialist and a Navy Recruiter. She specialized in helping people enlist into the military and mentored them along the way. She is currently taking classes at BGSU Firelands to obtain her degree in radiology technician.

Taylor joined the firm in hopes that she could provide help to families navigating through the difficulties of estate planning and ultimately helping the community. She has exceptional people skills and empathetic approach creates a welcoming atmosphere for clients she meets with.

When not at the office Taylor enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her two dogs, Dixie and Major.

As the receptionist, Aya is the first person a caller talks to. She is responsible for gathering information so she can direct the caller to the proper team member. She has been at the firm since March 2024. She started her virtual career in 2021 as a receptionist and intake assistant for a personal injury law firm practicing in California.

Growing up, she cared for and assisted her grandparents, an experience that deeply impacted her life. This nurturing role inspired her to join the firm, driven by a strong passion for customer service. She takes great satisfaction in reducing clients' stress and providing support when needed.

Her background in customer service, combined with my warm demeanor, fosters a welcoming and efficient environment for the clients.

Aya volunteers at local centers during typhoons, which are common in our area, offering support through fundraising for donations or any other assistance needed. Additionally, she engages with local groups and forums to provide support or simply stay connected with the community.

Outside of office hours, she loves spending time with her family, fulfilling her duties as a foster mom, and catching up on her reading.

``No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.``