From Government to Law Clerk to Estate Planning Attorney — A Career Built on Connection, Adaptability, and Creative Problem-Solving

The Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council recently sat down with Brittany Hunsaker, an Associate in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group at Gordon Feinblatt LLC, to explore the varied path that led her to estate planning law. Before joining the firm, Brittany built experience across local government, higher education, nonprofit, hospitality, and philanthropy, then served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Lynn Knight of the Queen Anne's County Circuit Court. She earned her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2023 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2024. Today, her practice includes drafting wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, as well as preparing gift and estate tax returns and trust accountings. In this spotlight, we highlight Brittany's professional journey, the challenges she's navigated, and the creativity she brings to helping clients find their way forward.

1. Can you tell us about your background and what led you to your current role/field? My background is a bit varied, having worked in local government, hospitality, higher education, and philanthropy. The practice of law was a very natural next step because it is where all of my previous experiences and roles connect. I am now able to interact with local, state, and federal government, facilitate philanthropic giving, and help clients navigate complex issues during challenging times in their lives.
2. What are some challenges you have faced in your career and how have you overcome them? One of my biggest challenges was balancing a full-time job, evening law school classes, and a long commute from Richmond to Baltimore. Though it was a demanding period, it taught me how to be intentional with my time and stay organized while remaining committed to my goals.
3. What project or achievement are you most proud of, and why? I am very proud of my adjustment to a law firm setting. I am continuing to develop new skills while adapting quickly to a fast-paced environment and practice, which demands extreme attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving.
4. How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life? Time blocking and compartmentalizing help me stay organized and balanced. Having hobbies outside of the office helps me reset, whether I am getting out on the water or starting a new sewing project.
5. What are you currently passionate about or what motivates you in your daily work? I love the creativity that my job provides. Even if clients may have the same goals, each case presents a new set of family dynamics and assets to work through, so I am always helping them discover a new path to reach those goals.
6. Looking ahead, what are some goals or aspirations you have for the next few years? I hope to become more involved in the community by continuing to expand my pro-bono efforts and creating new relationships with our clients and their advisors.