Attorney and Staff Profiles

Barry H. Zimmer founded THE ZIMMER LAW FIRM in June 1993, to practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Business Succession Planning. His goal was and continues to be helping clients understand and de-mystify the often confusing world of Estate Planning in an ever-changing society, and to implement effective Estate Planning with minimal effort and time investment. The firm works from the belief that planning should always be driven by purpose. As a result, there are no “canned” or pre-set planning solutions. Instead, Zimmer helps clients identify their goals first and then builds estate and business plans based on that understanding.

Barry has been in private practice since receiving his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1979. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from U.C. with Honors, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in 1976. He was profiled in the 1990-1991 edition of Who’s Who in American Law for contribution to the betterment of contemporary society, and has lectured numerous times on legal topics, and authored several articles and Special Reports on Estate Planning. He is a former guest columnist on Simply Money, on 91.7 FM, WVXU. He makes occasional guest appearances on radio about estate planning topics, and has been quoted in newspaper articles and columns on Estate Planning matters.

In Mr. Zimmer’s perspective, excellence in implementing trust-based estate plans is but one aspect of his responsibility to clients. Providing reliable guidance and service to families of clients who pass away is just as critical as sound planning at the front end. Zimmer and his staff have successfully handled hundreds of trust estate and probate cases, and are experienced in settling and distributing a wide variety of estate assets to heirs.

Mr. Zimmer also believes strongly in continuing education. He devotes substantial time and resources to staying up to date on the latest laws, trends and techniques.

Barry  is also a founding member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. The Academy is a limited membership organization that provides continuing legal education to members, and practice management support and training. The goal of the Academy is to help foster excellence in attorney member services to their clients. Zimmer has been actively involved in the Academy since its inception in 1993, including service on the Academy’s first Board of Governors and Education Advisory Board. He regularly attends specialized and advanced training by the experts in the Academy Education Department several times a year. This includes two national conferences sponsored by the Academy for its members, where Zimmer also networks with Estate Planning Lawyers from across the country.

In addition, Mr. Zimmer attends numerous local and regional estate planning training courses each year on state and federal laws and developing techniques. He is certified to present Continuing Legal Education programs for financial professionals and CPA’s about estate planning issues and laws.

Mr. Zimmer is a member of the Cincinnati and Ohio State Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in all Ohio courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Federal District Court of the Southern District of Ohio, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. He is married with two children, and lives in Symmes Township. When Mr. Zimmer isn’t working he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and reading.

Megan began her career at Zimmer Law Firm in February 2014. She attended Miami University and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Shortly after she earned her Paralegal Certificate from University of Cincinnati.  She spent some time working as a paralegal for other companies, but she says she finally feels at home. Megan enjoys knowing that families are protected and better-off because of the work she does. She just wants to help. “I love that I get to come to work each day and make someone else’s day better.” When Megan isn’t at Zimmer Law Firm, you might find her working out, reading, checking out Cincinnati’s local restaurants with her husband, and singing in her church’s choir.

Debbie is an Associate Attorney and joined the firm in February 2015. She concentrates her practice in Probate and Trust Administration, Life Plans, and Irrevocable Trusts. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Mount St. Joseph with a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies and a Minor in Business Management. Debbie earned her J.D. from Chase College of Law in 2006. She is admitted to practice in all Ohio courts. Debbie has over twenty-years of experience in Estate Administration, and is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. She has also been an Adjunct Instructor at the Mount for over twenty years, and is the Law Director in her hometown of Cheviot. She is married with three children, two step-children, and ten grandchildren. When Debbie has free time she enjoys a great book, supporting her grandchildren in their various activities, and attending Cincinnati Reds Baseball games.

Matthew W. Donald is Of Counsel to The Zimmer Law Firm, LLC. In that capacity, he represents clients of the Firm as Co-Counsel in Medicaid and Veteran’s Administration benefit applications. His dedication and expertise teamed with the expertise of the Firm’s lawyers have enabled the Zimmer Law Firm, LLC to continue to expand its services to meet the changing needs of its clientele.
Matt comes to the law from a twenty-three year career in the US Army, retiring at the rank of Major. As a retired soldier, Matt had a particular interest and passion for helping his fellow veterans which motivated him to become a lawyer. After a brief stint working at a law firm, Matt recognized a need in his community to help people with nursing care as they aged without going broke and losing their life’s savings. Also, he recognized the need for skilled estate planning services in his community. He decided to strike out on his own and opened Donald Law Office in Baltimore, Ohio (southeast of Columbus).

Since founding his firm, Matt has focused his practice where his passion lays – helping those in need. He has successfully represented hundreds in securing Medicaid for nursing care costs and Veterans’ Administration benefits for those who are homebound or require nursing care. He shares the same Core Values the Zimmer Law Firm, LLC was built on.

Matt is a VA Accredited Attorney. He is a member of the Ohio, Columbus, and Fairfield County Bar Associations; the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Ohio chapter of NAELA; and the only member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys in Central Ohio. Because of his passion and skills for helping Veterans and the elderly, Matt is frequently sought to teach continuing legal education course for attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors. His speaking engagements include lecturer for the Ohio State Bar Association workshops on VA benefits in 2014 and 2015, including the VA Accreditation course which allows other attorneys to represent Veterans before the VA; lecturer on behalf of the National Business Institute on the subjects of Special Needs Trusts and Medicaid Benefits Eligibility in 2015; keynote speaker for a Columbus Tax Club of The Ohio Society of CPAs monthly conference on estate planning and asset protection; and guest speaker at the Fairfield County Older Adult Network.

Matt is very active in the community as a coach for both softball and baseball. He is a member of VFW Post #3761, and former Senior-Vice Commander. Matt is also active in his church as a reader and usher. Matt and his wife Sherri have been married for twenty years and have been happy to call Baltimore home for the past twelve years. Together they are the proud parents of three gifted and wonderful children.

Jamie joined the firm in August 2014. She graduated from Miami University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. After spending two years in the education field, she decided to make a career change and found herself at Zimmer Law Firm. “I was originally drawn to education because I wanted to make a difference and help children. Now, I feel that same passion, but with a different audience.” Jamie loves knowing that her work helps to ease a family’s pain and stress. In her free time, she enjoys baking, playing with her two dogs, and spending time with her family and friends.

For the past twenty-three years, Alice Richmond has been helping the Zimmer Law Firm connect with clients, working to coordinate  seminars, set appointments, receive client feedback, and streamline every client’s estate planning experience.  At the heart of  Alice’s goals at work is a simple desire to ensure that every client who walks into our office receives the professional treatment  and assurance he or she deserves. Her everyday interactions with clients are what bring her the most satisfaction: “I really have a desire to be in contact with people – to help people – and I care very deeply about the satisfaction of our clients.” When Alice has spare time, she enjoys visiting her new granddaughter, two daughters, son-in-laws, and mother, reading, and being outside.

Darlene helps us keep our contact with clients efficient and helpful.  She handles special requests from clients, and she makes sure that each component of a client’s case is handled by the correct personnel within the office.  She enjoys working with clients to get to the bottom of what may be troubling them, helping ensure that all the loose ends get tied up for every case.  Along with addressing the practicalities of estate planning, Darlene takes time to address clients’ personal concerns.    “I like knowing that I can help clients,” she notes, “especially when I can clear things up if people call in feeling frustrated. People are dealing with a lot and it’s good to know I can relieve some of that.” When Darlene isn’t at Zimmer Law Firm, you can find her spending time with her family, hiking, and traveling.

Patty joined Zimmer Law Firm fourteen years ago. She has had various administrative duties in the past at the office, but now keeps all our accounting books up to date. She comes from a computer engineering background, is married, and has two daughters. Patty’s favorite hobby is being a certified ski instructor and patroller for Perfect North Slopes in the winter. She can’t do that all year around, so you might also find her swimming, kayaking, traveling, and being an advocate for healthy eating.