CLARKE DEMAS & BAKER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Estate Planning Paralegal / Coordinator
Ashley has been practicing law in Vermont for over five years with a primary focus on residential real estate. She also enjoys lending a hand with commercial real estate transactions and probate matters from time to time.
During law school Ashley interned with Honorable Paul L. Reiber, Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court and Honorable Harold E. Eaton, Jr., Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. She also interned with Honorable Jeffrey Kilgore, the Washington County Probate Judge, during his time in private practice.
A native New Yorker, Ashley has enjoyed living in the greater Burlington area since 2010. Outside of the office she enjoys assisting her family owned and operated horse training business in Charlotte, Vermont and tending to their growing number of farm animals.
Education
Vermont Law School, J.D., Cum Laude
The University of Vermont, B.A.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Founding Member of the Firm
Bruce is a founding member of the Firm. Bruce's background is as a commercial lawyer, with over 20 years experience working with banks, entrepreneurs and business owners, focusing on commercial lending, secured transactions, business planning, business acquisitions and sales, real estate development and land use.
Bruce is a native Vermonter and is very engaged with policies that help create a bright future for Vermonters. Bruce currently serves on an advisory council for a Vermont community bank dedicated to the banking needs of Vermont families and businesses. Bruce also currently serves as vice chair of the Burlington Planning Commission, having served on the Commission for over ten years. Bruce serves and has served on various blue ribbon task forces, including the City of Burlington, Vermont Mall Redevelopment Task Force, the City of Burlington Permit Reform Advisory Committee and the City of Burlington Inclusionary Housing Working Group.
Kirk Clarke, J.D., C.P.A., has over 35 years of legal experience in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, and estate and gift taxation. Kirk was an Estate Tax Attorney with Internal Revenue Service before entering private practice, first as a Certified Public Accountant and, since 1986, in law practice.
Every estate plan is unique and Kirk has advised hundreds of clients with estates of all sizes and complexity, helping some solve seemingly insurmountable challenges. Kirk enjoys meeting clients and getting to know them to better understand what strategies to employ to arrive at the most successful plans. He listens to clients' concerns, educates clients about their choices, and then works with them to accomplish their estate planning goals.
Kirk feels it is important to educate the public and their advisors on estate planning matters and is a frequent lecturer before community and professional groups on all aspects of estate planning.
Kirk is married to Karin, a retired schoolteacher in the Shelburne Community School. They have two grown children, Darren and Aubree.
Kirk has served on boards and committees for a number of local charitable and nonprofit organizations.
Education
Wake Forest University, B.S.
University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Receptionist
Elizabeth Demas is a founding partner of Clarke Demas & Baker.
Gerry is an Associate Attorney with Clarke, Demas & Baker. His practice focuses on estate planning.
Originally from Michigan, Gerry now lives with his wife and kids in Burlington. Having moved to Vermont in 2019, Gerry spends his time hiking, skiing, and checking out the various parks and beaches around the area. He loves taking a weekend to explore different parts of the state and is always looking for camping/hiking/cross-country skiing recommendations.
Peter is the Immediate Past President of the Vermont chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He also served for nine and a half years as a member of the City of Burlington Planning Commission, serving six of those years as Commission Chair. Additionally, Peter served for five years as a member of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), representing the City of Burlington. During that time he also served for four years as Chair of the CCRPC's Legislative and Economic Development Committee.
Peter is a past member of the Membership Committee of the Turning Point Center, an organization that provides support services for those in recovery from various addictions. He has also helped raise funds for Spectrum Youth Services, an organization that helps at-risk youth.
Peter enjoys spending time with his beloved longhaired dachshund, biking, skiing, traveling, reading, playing on his PlayStation and collecting Golden Age Batman comics.
Education
Syracuse University College of Law, J.D.
Purdue University Krannert School of Management, B.S.
Purdue University Krannert School of Management, Outstanding Senior
Roxanne joined the firm in the Spring of 2008 and has 30 years of experience specializing in residential real estate transactions. Her primary focus is working with clients, lenders and realtors to insure a smooth transaction for all parties. She is a team player who enjoys helping clients achieve their goals.