MONTCO ELDER LAW ® - Key Persons
Attorney Eric Ladley joined the Firm as of February 13, 2017 after having been the Director of Long-Term Care Planning and Estate Administration with the prestigious Williamsport Elder Law firm of Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak where he practiced since 2009. Eric brings that vast experience along with knowledge gleaned as a member of the Elder Law and Real Estate committees of the Lycoming Bar Association.
Eric is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. After graduating from George Washington University, with a major in Political Science and a minor in journalism, he returned to his home state to attend The Penn State Dickinson School of Law where he was a member of The Federalist Society and The Christian Legal Society, and where he worked in The Elder Law Clinic.
Eric has focused his practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Estate Administration, and Guardianships. Attorney Ladley is certified as an Elder Law Attorney ("CELA®") by the National Elder Law Foundation. He also is accredited by the Veterans Administration to represent Veterans and can prepare, present and prosecute claims before the Department. Eric is a frequent presenter to the public and to organizations about topics related to Veterans Benefits, Estate Planning and Long-Term Care.
Jack Hetherington joined with MontcoElderLaw Law, LLP in July, 2018. He has been nominated and included in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers listing for Elder Law Attorneys each year since 2007. Representing elderly and other clients since 1977, Mr. Hetherington has been certified in Elder Law by the National Elder Law Foundation since 1993. He is also a certified mediator in Orphan's Court Disputes.
His practice has taken him to administrative hearings in both state and federal benefits agencies like Social Security, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, PA Workers' Compensation hearings; and others. He has represented clients in trials in the trial courts of the Multi-County Delaware Valley and in the U.S. District Courts.
Mr. Hetherington has taught and written professionally on many subjects now known as "Elder Law". He has both planned and presented continuing legal education programs for several professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI); American association of Justice; the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR); the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); the Pennsylvania Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA); the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) now American Association for Justice (AAJ); Bucks County Bar Association (BCBA); Medical Professional Education Specialists (MEDS-PDN); National Business Institute (NBI); and other professional and community educational organizations, including the Delaware Valley Alzheimer's' Association.
Mr. Hetherington was an adjunct professor at the Bucks County Community College where he taught Elder Law in the Paralegal program. Mr. Hetherington holds memberships with the Pennsylvania and Bucks County Bar Associations; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; Pennsylvania Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives; and the American Association of Justice. He received his BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Jessica joined the Montco Elder Law team in October 2019 after moving from Center City Philadelphia back to her hometown, Hatfield. In her role, Jessica assists the attorneys in various legal matters, focusing on communicating with clients, estate planning, and applying for medical assistance. She enjoys developing a rapport with clients by helping them make important life decisions and consoling them through difficult times.
Jessica graduated from West Chester University in 2017, where she earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice with Minors in Political Science and Philosophy. She has aspired to become an attorney since high school and has worked in multiple areas of law since graduation to advance towards her career. She will further pursue her goal by attending Delaware Law School at Widener University and expects to complete her J.D. by 2024.
Jessica is married as of June 2020. In her spare time, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their families and friends.
Mary handles a diverse range of Estate and Elder Law issues. She is an active member of the Montgomery Bar Association Elder Law Section, keeping updated on the law through educational seminars at their monthly meetings. She also is a member of the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council, which facilitates the team approach of financial and legal advisors for her clients. She is an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for Veterans benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mary also volunteers with Wills For Heroes, where she prepares estate documents for our local first responders.
While in law school, Mary interned for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, where she played an active role in the creation of the Elder Abuse Task Force. She has focused her expertise in this area of law by attending numerous Continuing Legal Education courses throughout the area, including the two-day Elder Law Institute annually with the leading experts of the Commonwealth.
Matthew completed the Paralegal Certificate Program at Bucks County Community College in 2018 and then began working as a paralegal for a Civil Litigation firm in Norristown. He then came to Montco Elder Law in 2020 and quickly found a passion for working closely with clients. Matthew enjoys building relationships with clients and has volunteered for "Wills for Seniors" hosted by the Senior Law Center. Matthew graduated from Liberty University in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies and is also a Notary Public.
Matthew is involved in assisting the attorneys with probate and guardianship matters from beginning to end and enjoys being an advocate for the clients.
Matthew enjoys being outdoors when not in the office and is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County where he still currently resides with his wife Trisha and their three young children, Riley, Raegan, and Matthew.
Patty has over eight years' experience exclusively in estates and trust planning and guardianship matters. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Apparel Management. In 2011 Patty completed the Villanova University Paralegal Certificate program and began a new career in the field of law. She joined the firm in 2019.
Patty uses her considerable multitasking skills and customer service experience to provide detailed support to the attorneys and clients. From complex guardianship matters to simple estate plans, she is involved from beginning to end. She provides regular contact and updates to clients, maintains the case calendar and deadlines, and drafts petitions and letters. She also maintains all client invoicing and billing matters for the firm.
Patty enjoys reading, perusing fashion magazines, and visiting the Jersey shore. She is happily married and lives with her husband Jack and their two children, Julia and Jack Jr.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- General Partner
- Member of the Montgomery County Elder Access to Justice Roundtable
In addition to estate planning and addressing various elder law and guardianship issues, Rosemary has an active estate administration and probate practice before the Register of Wills and Orphans' Courts of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Chester and Delaware Counties. Rosemary has devoted the last 24 of her 32 years in the law exclusively to Estate and Elder Law. Like many other Elder Law practitioners, her focus grew from having personally served as a caregiver for family members.
In Elder Law cases, most often the initial consultation with Rosemary is with as many family members as possible openly discussing their concerns, but with protecting the elder's best interest as the goal. If there are legal answers to those concerns, the elder becomes her client and focus. If mobility is limited, consultations can be scheduled in the clients' home.
In estate administration cases Rosemary is a zealous advocate for prompt and economic resolutions. If litigation is warranted, the focus remains on wrapping up estates as the law intended and not on unwarranted motions that only delay and add to legal fees.
Rosemary is an active member of the Montgomery County Elder Access to Justice Roundtable, formerly served as Solicitor for the Montgomery County Office of Aging and Adult Services, and from 2012 - 2018 on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council. Rosemary is a regular panelist in forums discussing Estate and Elder Law issues.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Member of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association
Taylor joined the Montco Elder Law team as an intern in May of 2021. She was then hired in June of the same year as a full-time employee and was given the opportunity to work alongside the attorneys as a legal assistant. She is now working towards becoming a paralegal with her main focus being Estate Administration and Probate.
Taylor graduated from West Chester University in 2020, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with Minors in Media & Culture and Nutrition & Dietetics. After a year at Widener University Delaware Law School and many tough decisions, she realized that further pursuing law school was not in the cards, but that becoming a paralegal at Montco Elder Law was the perfect fit. Taylor uses her communication skills, customer service experience, and attention to detail to provide assistance to the attorneys and their clients. She is passionate about establishing strong relationships and ensuring that all client needs are met.
Taylor is a member of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association and is also a Notary Public.
In her free time, you can find Taylor with family and friends, attending concerts with her husband, Mason, or cheering on the Philadelphia Flyers. She is married to her high school sweetheart as of September 2022.