THILGES & BERNHARDT - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Legal Assistant
• Paralegal
• Paralegal More Info

Allison joined our firm in 2005 when she moved to Johnson County, Kansas from Dodge City where she was born and raised. Allison and her husband have two children. Outside of work, Allison is an avid runner and loves pampering her two dogs. While focusing on health and fitness, she also enjoys being creative in the kitchen.

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner
• Managing Partner / Location: Overland Park, KS

Amanda A. Thilges, J.D., partner at Thilges & Bernhardt, Attorneys at Law, LLC (f/k/a Short, Borth & Thilges, Attorneys at Law, LLC), has been engaged in the private practice of law for over 22 years. Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa in 1997. She graduated with her Juris Doctor Degree in 2001 from the University of Missouri - Kansas City Law School. Amanda has dedicated her legal practice to family law matters and has been with the firm since graduating from law school. Amanda has been very active in the local bar, including being a member of the Johnson County Bar Family Law Bench Bar Committee and acting as a barrister of the Johnson County Family Law American Inns of Court (2013-2016). Amanda has been recognized by her peers by being listed in Super Lawyers (2008 to the present) and the Best Lawyers in America (2008 to the present) for her work in the family law legal field. Amanda has also been rated by her peers in Martindale Hubbell and has been AV rated by the same. Amanda was chosen by her peers and listed as The Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Kansas City, in 2013 and 2016. Amanda is the former President of the Johnson County Bar Foundation and served as a trustee on the board through 2015. She was also a member of the School Advisory Board of St. Thomas More School in South Kansas City, Missouri (2013-2016) and served as President for the 2015/16 school year. When taking on a family law matter Amanda's goal is to attempt to maintain civility and peace within the family unit, even though the family unit is dividing. Amanda approaches cases in an amicable manner, yet is poised for litigation if necessary. Amanda maintains good working relationships with opposing counsel and will attempt to work with opposing counsel in order to achieve a fair resolution for her client. She provides options to her clients as well as reasonable expectations as to what to expect during the process and trial - if trial is necessary. Amanda spends a great deal of her time appearing in front of the various family law judges and therefore is knowledgeable regarding the Court's expectations and procedures. Amanda guides her clients to a fair and equitable resolution of their family law matter through settlement means or, if necessary, through the Court process. Amanda is a strong, knowledgeable, congenial advocate for her clients in the courtroom and outside the courtroom. Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and their three very active children. If not in the office, you can find her cheering on one of her three children at their sporting events. Amanda also enjoys attending Royals games as well as returning "home" to see the Iowa Hawkeyes play football.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Associate More Info

Job Titles:

• Paralegal
• Paralegal More Info

Andrea was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and has resided in Johnson County since 1993. After graduating from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, Andrea received her Paralegal Certificate and Associates Degree from Johnson County Community College. Andrea's law office experience began in 1998 and she joined our staff in 2001. Outside of the office, Andrea enjoys summer evenings at The K, cheering for the Huskers, reading, relaxing and spending time with her family and friends.

Job Titles:

• Office Manager

Deb was born in Morris, Minnesota. She attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids, Minnesota to pursue an Associates Degree as a Legal Secretary. Deb moved to Kansas in 1994 and joined our staff in 1999. Deb and her husband, Ron, are the parents of two sons, Nick and Dan. In her spare time, Deb enjoys riding Harley-Davidsons with her husband and friends. She also enjoys sewing and embroidery.

Job Titles:

• Partner
• Partner / Location: Overland Park, KS

Jacquelyn P. Bernhardt grew up in Pittsburg, Kansas. She received a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies from Pittsburg State University in 2002 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in 2006. Jacquelyn was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2006 and the Kansas Bar in 2007. She is actively involved in the Johnson County Bar Association, Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City as well as the Johnson County Family Law American Inn of Court. Jacquelyn is a recipient of the Kansas City Business Journal Best of the Bar in Family Law and she has been recognized by her peers by being selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and is listed in the Best Lawyers in America for both family law and family law mediation. Jacquelyn is a Fellow of the Johnson County Bar Foundation, a member of the Kansas Bar, Missouri Bar and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. She has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars on the topics of discovery and dissipation of marital assets. Jacquelyn understands that going through the family law litigation process is one of the most daunting and difficult things a person can experience. It can be stressful, emotional and put a strain on co-parenting relationships. For these reasons Jacquelyn strives to maintain civility between the parties and also with opposing counsel while still strongly advocating for her client. In addition to litigation, Jacquelyn also dedicates her practice to collaborative law and family law mediation and she is a Kansas Supreme Court approved mediator for domestic cases. Although litigation is necessary in certain cases, Jacquelyn recognizes that some cases are better served with mediation or collaborative law. Jacquelyn believes that having a non-adversarial, private and cost-effective option for parents and spouses to resolve their cases is very valuable. When outside of the office, Jacquelyn enjoys volunteering her time and being part of various community outreach projects including Step Up and Habitat for Humanity. Jacquelyn is married and has two young children.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Associate / Location: Overland Park, KS

Meghan grew up in the Kansas City area, attending Park Hill High School. She went on to attend the University of Tulsa where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2018. Meghan worked as a Court Clerk in the 16 th Circuit of Jackson County for a year before attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City for law school where she received her Juris Doctor with an emphasis in Child and Family Law in 2023. While at UMKC-School of Law, Meghan was a member of the UMKC Child and Family Services Clinic, served as a staffer and an Articles Editor for the UMKC Law Review, was a class representative for the Student Bar Association, and was President of the Estates and Trusts Society. Meghan was admitted to the Missouri and Kansas bar in 2023. Meghan began at Thilges and Bernhardt, LLC as a law clerk in October 2022 and later transitioned into an attorney role after passing the bar exam. Meghan practices exclusively family law and is a member of the Kansas Bar, Missouri Bar, Johnson County Bar Association, and the Johnson County Family Law American Inn of Court. One of the main things Meghan took away from working as a Court Clerk was how difficult the Court system is to navigate and what a huge difference it makes when you have a lawyer advocating for you. This life experience led Meghan to apply to law school because she knew that she could help people through these trying times to ensure the best possible outcome for them. Meghan is passionate about advocating for her client's best interests and providing strong legal advice to guide them through a difficult and emotional process. Outside of work, Meghan enjoys cooking, cheering on the Chiefs, and playing with her two dogs, Holly and Lila.