Samantha Shepherd is the firm's founding attorney.  Her practice areas encompass elder law, estate planning, long term care planning and asset protection, Medicaid planning, Missouri Medicaid applications (MOHealthnet) and appeals, probate and trust administration, guardianships and Special Needs Trusts.  

Ms. Shepherd has a strong calling to assist the elderly and individuals with special needs. Initially a corporate lawyer by training, Ms. Shepherd found her desire to serve and to give back to the community drew her to the Elder Law profession. Under the tutelage of Attorney Craig Reaves, the former President of the Missouri Chapter of Elder Law Attorneys and the the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Ms. Shepherd embarked on a rewarding career helping the elderly, those with disabilities and their families.

Ms. Shepherd is a 1994 graduate of Boston College Law School, where she received her juris doctorate.  She received her LLM in Estate Planning from the University of Missouri in Kansas City.  She is licensed to practice in Missouri, Massachusetts, and Maine.  She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and the Missouri Chapter of NAELA.   

Ms. Shepherd has been appointed as a Vice-Chair of the Elder Law Committee for the Missouri Bar and is also a member of the Missouri Bar's Legislative Review Subcommittee for Elder Law. Ms. Shepherd has been nominated for the position of Treasurer of the Missouri Chapter of NAELA, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Ms. Shepherd currently serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for Missouri NAELA and is the Chair of the Membership Committee. Ms. Shepherd is also on the committee for the Missouri Seniors’ Legal Helpline.

Nichola Engle is a Paralegal for Shepherd Elder Law. Nichola earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. She is a certified paralegal, and is the President-Elect of the Kansas City Legal Secretaries' Association. She has been exclusively an elder law paralegal for eight years, and is an expert on both Medicaid and Veterans' Benefits.

Marissa Wills is a Legal Assistant and Client Services Manager for Shepherd Elder Law. Marissa graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Before coming to Shepherd Elder Law, she was an operations analyst for a Fortune 500 corporation serving the legal community. Marissa has first-hand experience as a caregiver for her own family, and is dedicated to serving the needs of the elderly.

Jonathan Green is a Legal Assistant and Community Liaison for Shepherd Elder Law. Jonathan earned a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts From from Emory University before completing a Masters degree in Anthropology from University College London.