Our Professionals

Ann. N. Butenhof, a founding partner of Butenhof & Bomster, PC, is well known in New Hampshire's legal community for her experience with Medicaid eligibility rules, other public benefits programs, special needs trusts, long-term care planning and estate planning. Prior to establishing Butenhof & Bomster in 2008, she initially established her own firm in 2003 after practicing in both the public and private sectors. From 1993 - 1996, and again from 1997 - 2001, Ann worked with New Hampshire Legal Assistance ("NHLA") - a non-profit law firm that represents low-income and elderly residents - first as the Managing Attorney of the Manchester Office, and then as the Directing Attorney of the New Hampshire Senior Citizens Law Project. Ann has been recognized by her peers as one of New Hampshire's best attorneys in the area of Elder Law in 2003 and 2005-2007, as reported in New Hampshire Magazine. She received her Certification as an Elder Law Attorney (C.E.L.A.) from the National Elder Law Foundation in March 2005, and has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Before lending her legal talent to NHLA, Ann clerked for the Honorable Leroy J. Contie, Jr. on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and practiced with the Cleveland, Ohio firm of Berkman, Gordon, Murray & Palda from 1987 - 1993. In addition, while directing the Senior Citizens Law Project, Ann served as lead counsel in DesFosses v. Shumway, a class action that challenged the State of New Hampshire's placement of Medicaid liens on real estate. The settlement of DesFosses v. Shumway in 1999 resulted in a complete overhaul of New Hampshire's Medicaid recovery system and in the return of millions of dollars to individual homeowners.

Ann is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and chaired the Formation Committee of a New Hampshire NAELA Chapter. She is one of a select group of New Hampshire attorneys who has earned the Certified Elder Law Attorney ("CELA") distinction from the National Elder Law Foundation.

Ann is a member of the Special Needs Alliance (SNA), a national, invitation-only network of lawyers dedicated to Disability and Public Benefits Law. With this focus, Ann assists clients in planning for the future care and financial security of special needs children and disabled individuals, by tailoring estate plans to protect and maximize life savings.

Ann also is an active member of the Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate section of the New Hampshire Bar Association (serving as Chair in 2004 - 2005) and the New Hampshire Estate Planning Council.

Ann has lectured to and trained legal professionals and financial planners on elder law topics, including Medicaid nursing home eligibility, Medicaid planning, Medicare, special needs trusts, basic estate planning techniques and guardianship. Her article entitled Medicaid Eligibility and Spousal Protection for Elderly Nursing Home Residents was published in the Spring 2005 issue of the New Hampshire Bar Journal.

Ann received her B.A. from Lake Forest College in 1979. In 1985, she earned her J.D. (magna cum laude and Order of the Coif) from Case Western Reserve University, along with an M.S.S.A. (equivalent to a Masters in Social Work) through a joint degree program. She is admitted to practice in New Hampshire and the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire.