Meet our Attorneys

Gerard J. Garno, Esq.

A successful business owner, Gerard J. Garno owns and operates the law firm of Heritage Elder Law & Planning and is a partner in the law firm of Rickard, Denney, Garno & Associates, with affiliated offices in Imlay City, Lapeer, and St. Clair Shores.

Gerard is from a farm family of fifteen children in Southeastern Michigan. He is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Cincinnati and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law where he was one of the top ten students and editor of the Law Review. He has served as an intern for a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, worked for one of the oldest and most respected firms in Toledo, Ohio, and has worked for several law firms in the greater Detroit area.

For many years Gerard has worked as an attorney in the area of elder law and estate planning. He is also a certified Medicaid planner. He specializes in helping senior citizens plan their estates for retirement, nursing homes, and Medicaid. Gerard lives in Allenton, Michigan with his wife and children. He is an active church member. When not chasing his children, and as time permits, he can often be seen entertaining people by playing his classical guitar.

Jerrold E. Bartholomew, Esq.

Jerrold Bartholomew is an attorney with Heritage Elder Law & Planning and has been with the firm since 2005. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, and is admitted to the Eastern District of Michigan Federal Court as well.

Jerry received his B.A. in Literature and Classical Languages from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL, and his M.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College, Annapolis, MD. He later received his Juris Doctor from Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, MI, where he served as an officer of the National Lawyers Association and worked to promote the goals of the Lex Vitae organization. He served as a law clerk for the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation, and a prestigious Michigan law firm.

Prior to beginning the practice of law, Jerry taught Latin and coached lacrosse for several years in Miami, FL. He is now thoroughly enjoying being back to his Midwestern roots. Outside of the practice of law, Jerry is active in his church and finds time for his wife, five children, epic poetry, Mexican food, fishing, and his Labrador retriever.