Overview
Jenica Cassidy focuses her practice on estate planning, trust and probate administration, and elder law. She helps individuals and their families plan for the future and resolve legal issues relating to aging. She also works with health care facilities and their residents to secure benefits to pay for the cost of care.
Jenica’s clients appreciate her empathetic approach to difficult and highly personal discussions about aging and end of life, which pave the path for plans that lead to peace of mind.
Jenica works with older adults of all income levels and their family members to plan for and resolve legal issues related to aging, such as long-term care needs, disability, and incapacity. These include guardianships (of the person and of the property), Medicaid benefits and appeals, and special needs planning. She also helps them with estate planning and probate.
In addition, Jenica works with individuals on guardianship and Medicaid matters, assisting when individuals are unable to make care or finance decisions for themselves, or when benefits are needed for cost of care. Jenica discusses more about adult guardianship, what it is, and who needs it on our adult guardianship page. She is a frequent speaker and author, presenting and writing on guardianship issues for the National Aging and Law Conference, the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, and The Elder Law Journal.
Jenica’s welcoming demeanor and service orientation makes it easier for people to open up to her about their finances and their fears. She listens intently, and then explains different solutions in plain English so her clients and their families can make decisions for their futures.
Jenica received her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon. She is admitted to practice in Maryland and DC. Prior to joining Lerch Early she practiced at an elder law boutique firm.
A Seattle native, Jenica enjoys hiking, skiing and exploring the outdoors with her husband and young daughter. She is also a fierce sports fan, cheering for her beloved Oregon Ducks and Seattle Seahawks, along with her adopted hometown favorite, the Washington Capitals.
Education
- Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D., 2014)
- University of Oregon (B.A., Journalism, Business minor, 2009)
Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
Clerkships
- Judicial Intern to The Honorable Beth Andrus, King County Superior Court, Kent, WA
Honors and awards
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch”, Elder Law and Trusts and Estates (2021-present)
- Named to Top Attorney List by Bethesda Magazine (2019, 2021)
- Listed as “Rising Star” by Maryland Super Lawyers, Elder Law (2021-present)
Community involvement
- Cornerstone Montgomery (Board Member, 2019-present)
Professional memberships
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (Member, Elder Law Section, 2015-present; Fellow, Leadership Development Academy, 2018-2019)
- Women’s Bar Association of Maryland (Montgomery County Chapter Listserv Chair, 2019; Member, 2015-present)
- Maryland State Bar Association (Member, 2014-present)
- Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce
Practice Areas

Estates/Trusts
Lerch Early’s estate and trust attorneys help people throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area protect their assets while minimizing tax liability through sophisticated planning and administration.
News & insights

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers List
Multiple Lerch Early attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Maryland Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” lists. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2023 Best Lawyers in America
Multiple lawyers from several Lerch, Early & Brewer practices recently were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Four Lerch Early attorneys have been named to the Ones …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2022 DC Super Lawyers List
Multiple Lerch Early attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 Washington, DC Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” lists. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2022 Maryland Super Lawyers List
Multiple Lerch Early attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2022 Maryland Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” lists. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than …

Bethesda Magazine Names 23 Lerch Early Attorneys in 2021 “Top Attorney” List
Bethesda Magazine surveyed more than 1,700 attorneys who practice in Montgomery County asking them to name the attorneys they would recommend in 29 practice areas. Twenty-three Lerch Early attorneys were …

Lerch Early Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers in America
Multiple lawyers from several Lerch, Early & Brewer practices recently were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022. Four Lerch Early attorneys have been named to the Ones …
Speaking engagements
- Presenter, “Restoration of Rights in Adult Guardianship” National Aging and Law Conference, Supported Decision-Making Pre-Conference Intensive, American Bar Association (Fall 2017)
- Presenter, “Roundtable on Restoration of Rights in Adult Guardianship,” American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging (Fall 2016)
- Presenter, “Ending Guardianship: Handling Termination of Adult Guardianship Orders and Restoration of Rights,” webinar hosted by the American Bar Association (Spring 2016)