Barbara J. Fitzgerald

Practice Areas: Probate; Wills; Trusts and Estates; Estate Planning; Elder Law; Special Needs Law; Guardianship

Admitted: 2007, Pennsylvania; 2007, New Jersey; 2010 U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; 2013, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania;

Law School: Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D. 2006)

Undergraduate Studies: Rowan University; Summa Cum Laude (B.A. 2003), Morrisville College (A.A.S. 2001)

Member: Pennsylvania Bar Association; Monroe County Bar Association; Northampton County Bar Association; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Biography: Attorney Barbara J. Fitzgerald was born and raised in Warren County, NJ and graduated from Warren Hills High School. She then continued her education at Morrisville State College where she was Captain of the Women’s Lacrosse Team. After graduating from Morrisville with distinction, she attended Rowan University, in Glassboro, New Jersey, where she was President of the Alpha Phi Sigma (National Honor Society) – Epsilon Nu Chapter, and a leader of Gamma Chi Sigma. Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude at the top of her class, she went on to attend Wake Forest University School of Law, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and spent a semester studying at Queen’s University Belfast, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. During her law school studies, Barbara worked at the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and at the Guilford County District Attorney’s office as a certified legal intern.

After graduation, she began her law career clerking for New Jersey Superior Court Judge, the Honorable Robert B. Reed. Upon completion of her term she was hired by E. David Christine, District Attorney of Monroe County to serve as an Assistant District Attorney and subsequently opened a private practice in 2013 focusing on Estate Law, in particular Probate, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Law. She was then offered the opportunity to teach as an adjunct professor at Northampton Community College, a position she still maintains.

In 2016, Barbara was invited to join Cramer, Swetz & McManus & Jordan, P.C., focusing on private Estate Law, in particular Probate; Wills; Trusts and Estates; Estate Planning; Elder Law; Special Needs Law.

Within the community Barbara has been an active member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Easton Assembly #38 since 1992, receiving her Grand Cross of Color in 1998 and serving as a Grand Officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for three consecutive terms. Barbara also joined the Eastern Star in 1999. When not involved with those civic and charitable organizations Barbara is hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family.

In addition to her training and experience in Estate Law matters, Barbara has successfully tried many cases before judges and juries. As such, she is uniquely qualified to assist her clients with any issues that may require litigation during the course of settling an estate. While no one desires that outcome, it is always preferable to have confidence that your attorney is comfortable in a courtroom. This is experience not common among estate lawyers, giving Barbara and her clients a distinct advantage.

Barbara will work to ensure that her client’s dignity and desires are properly maintained, recorded, and then, when the time comes, implemented with kindness and resolve.