Steven M. Jankower

 

Steve Jankower has practiced law in Lafayette for over 26 years. He is a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana and the Louisiana State University Law School. Steve is also the father of a child with special needs and focuses much of his practice on the handling of estate planning issues involving individuals with disabilities and special needs. Steve has written several published articles on the subject of estate planning for the disabled through use of special needs trusts and lectures throughout the State of Louisiana to various professional and civic groups on the subject of Medicaid planning.

 

Education:
·        Undergraduate education - University of Southwestern Louisiana (graduated with B.S.B.A., summa cum laude, 1978)
·        Legal education - Louisiana State University (graduated with J.D., 1982)
 
Work experience:
·        Law Clerk to Hon. Jerome E. Domengeaux, Chief Judge, Third Circuit Court of Appeals, Louisiana, 1982-83
·        Lafayette Parish Government – Assistant Parish Attorney – 1987-1996
·        Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government, Assistant City-Parish Attorney, 1996-2002
·        Jankower Law Firm, LLC – October, 2000 to present
 
Organizations and board affiliations:
·        Louisiana State Bar Association – Member in good standing since 1982
·        U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
·        U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
·        Lafayette Parish Bar Association
·        LARC – Member of the Board of Directors since 2002 and current Board President
·        Families Helping Families of Acadiana – Member and past President of the Board of Directors
·        Cadence of Acadiana – Member of the Board of Directors
·        Lafayette City-Parish President's Disability Awareness Committee – past Board Member and Committee Chairman
·        Beaver Club of Acadiana – Member and past President of the Board of Directors
·        Volunteers of America – Member of Advisory Board
·        Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana – Member
 
Publications:
·        "Estate Planning for the Disabled: An Overview of Special Needs Trusts" published in the Promulgator by the Lafayette Parish Bar Association.
 
·        "Why Every Attorney Should Consider Medicaid Planning Issues When Settling Personal Injury Claims" published in The Louisiana State Bar Association Journal. 
 
·        "Medicaid Planning Issues When Settling Personal Injury Claims" published in the Promulgator by the Lafayette Parish Bar Association
 
·        Monthly e-newsletter on issues associated with Medicaid planning for families with disabled and special needs members - subscribe here.