Kara Gansmann

Kara Gansmann

Cranfill Sumner

Elder Law & Estate Planning Lawyers in Wilmington, NC in Wilmington, NC

Wilmington, NC919-828-5100
Elder Law & Estate Planning

Education

Legal Education

  • University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota, 2007
  • J.D.
  • Honors: With Distinction
  • Honors: Order of the Coif, Member
  • Honors: National Order of the Barristers, Member
  • Honors: Legal Writing, Teacher
  • Honors: Full-Tuition Academic Scholarships
  • Honors: United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Honorable Rodney S. Webb, Extern
  • Honors: United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Chief Magistrate Judge Karen K. Klein, Extern
  • Law Review: North Dakota Law Review, Editor in Chief

Non Legal Education

  • University of North Dakota, 2005
  • B.A.
  • University of North Carolina Wilmington, 1998

Current Employment Position(s)

  • Partner

Classes and Seminars

  • Presenter, “Durable Powers of Attorney Insights” and “Advanced Directive Tips: making Healthcare Wishes Explicit,” for National Business Institute’s CLE “Estate Planning: Top 7 Tools to Know” (June 17, 2019, Wilmington, North Carolina)
  • Presenter, “Medicaid: New Rules in Benefits, Eligibility, and More” for National Business Institute’s CLE (June 12, 2019, 90-minute, nation-wide webinar)
  • Featured in NC Lawyer, “Renaissance Woman: World Traveler, Lawyer, Writer, Volunteer Kara Gansmann Can’t Be Stopped,” by Russel Rawlings (August 2018)
  • Presenter, “Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and End-of-Life Decisions,” for National Business Institute’s CLE “Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts” (June 18, 2018, Wilmington, North Carolina)
  • Presenter, The New North Carolina Power of Attorney Act, Cranfill Sumner Firm Seminar (November 9, 2017, Raleigh, North Carolina)
  • Presenter, Liability Issues with Free-Speech Rights in the Workplace, Cranfill Sumner Firm Seminar (October 2016, Raleigh, North Carolina)

Pro Bono Activities

  • Plantation Village, Board of Directors, 2022 - Present
  • Pro Bono Volunteer, North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center, 2017
  • New Hanover County Estate Planning Council, Member
  • Coastal Women Attorneys, Treasurer, 2015 - 2017
  • The Carousel Center, Inc., Board of Directors; Chair, 2016 - 2017
  • The Carousel Center, Inc., Board of Directors, Vice Chair/Under Secretary, 2015
  • North Carolina Bar Association Foundation | Law-Related Education; Attorney Advisor for Middle School Mock Trial Team, 2015
  • Pleasure Island Soccer Association, Coach, 2014 - 2017
  • UNCW Alumni Relations; Brazen mentor to alumni and students; Cape Fear Steering Committee, 2015 - 2017
  • Peace Rose Montessori, Reading & Fundraising Volunteer, 2014 - 2016
  • 1910 Harris County Courthouse, Docent, 2011 - 2013
  • Houston Bar Association, Adopt an Angel, Court Liaison, 2008 - 2013
  • Houston Bar Association, reading tutor in disadvantaged Houston schools, 2008 - 2009

Published Works

Articles

  • Author of manuscripts, “Marshalling Assets: Key Complications,” and “Creditors’ Claims Frustrations,” presented by Andrew W. Olsen for the National Business Institute’s CLE, “Top Challenges in Estate Administration” (May 10, 2018, Raleigh, North Carolina)
  • Author of manuscript, “Medicaid Planning Strategies,” presented by Andrew W. Olsen for the North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law & Special Needs Basics CLE (October 27, 2017, Cary, North Carolina)
  • Author of manuscript, “Medicaid Estate Recovery” presented by Andrew W. Olsen for National Business Institute’s CLE “Medicaid Update 2017” (November 7, 2017, Raleigh, North Carolina)
  • Author, How Seniors Can Afford Long Term Care Without Spending Their Life Savings, Business North Carolina (August 2017)
  • Author of manuscript for CLE “What are Trusts? Main Trust Principles” as presented by Andrew W. Olsen for National Business Institute’s CLE “Trusts from A to Z” (June 30, 2017, Wilmington, North Carolina)
  • Author, A Retailer’s Guide to Use of Video Surveillance Evidence to Defend itself in Litigation, The Retailer magazine (2017)
  • Author, The Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Corporations to Opt Out of Contraceptive Mandate in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014)
  • Author, Government Speech. It’s What’s for Dinner, 82 N.D. L. Rev. 519 (2006)

Bar Admissions

  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina, 2015
  • North Carolina, 2014
  • Texas, 2007

Other Affiliations

  • North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law & Special Needs Law Section Council, 2022 - 2023 (Vice President)
  • North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law & Special Needs Law Section Council, 2018 - 2021 (Voting Member)
  • North Carolina Bar Association (Member)
  • North Carolina Bar Association, 2017 (4All Statewide Service Day Site Co-Chair)
  • North Carolina Bar Association, Elder Law & Special Needs Section, 2017 (Member and CLE Co-Chair)
  • North Carolina Bar Association, 2017 (Liaison between Elder Law & Special Needs Section and Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section)
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), North Carolina Chapter (Member)
  • State Bar of Texas (Inactive Member in Good Standing)

Attorney Details

Full NameKara Gansmann
FirmCranfill Sumner
Address5535 Currituck Drive, Suite 210, Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone919-828-5100
Phone704-332-8300
Phone910-777-6000
Websitewww.cshlaw.com
New Clients✓ Currently accepting