Attorney and Staff Profiles

Even as a boy, James Nash knew he wanted to be a lawyer. Growing up in Northwestern Illinois, he was encouraged by his parents and had several excellent role models who helped him to follow his goal and make it a reality. As the senior partner at Nash Bean Ford & Brown, he focuses his practice primarily in the area of estate planning, together with wills, trusts, estate administration, business planning and civil litigation. Jim chose to emphasize the estate planning practice because it is one of the areas of law where there can be positive and constructive outcomes in most situations. Jim believes that high-quality estate planning must start with good organization and solid basic documents as the foundation upon which intermediate and advanced techniques can be developed if needed. He wants the process and the plan to be understood by his clients . . . a positive legal experience. The goal of understanding and positive participation by the client is a goal not taken lightly by the firm. Intermediate and advanced estate planning occurs when the client chooses to follow through with a plan to address some of the more difficult challenges for good estate planning. Quality estate planning is of real benefit and value for the individuals, families and small and medium-sized businesses involved in the process. Preserving assets and saving taxes is usually a good experience!

Experience

Mr. Nash is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Henry County Bar Association, of which he is a past president. Jim has served as chairman of Law Day and has several times been a presenter for the Peoples’ Law School lectures and activities, sponsored by the Bar Association for the public. He is also the founder of the radio program “Legal Minute,” which he and his partners have produced for several years. He is admitted to practice before all Courts of Illinois and the U.S. Federal District Court, and has been in private practice since 1973. He actively lectures to many groups on estate planning including fellow attorneys.
He is a published co-author of the book Hope for an Enduring Legacy: Estate Planning that Crafts the ‘Message of Your Life

Education

James Nash received his Juris Doctor from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1973 where he was selected as Note Editor of the Law Review. He was also selected as a student member to the Faculty Committee and received the Vaughn Advocacy Award his senior year. He received his undergraduate studies in Political Science from Augustana College where he was active in extracurricular activities such as captain of the golf team (which competed in an NCAA championship), toured nationally with the Augustana choir, and has also had several positions of responsibility in the student government.

Personal

Jim lives in Geneseo, Illinois with his wife, Judi, who is a teacher and coach in the local schools. Their children have graduated from high school and are finishing college and experiencing their first jobs. He is an active member of the Rotary Club, has participated as a leader and coach in youth football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and golf. He enjoys outdoor activities, music, and his responsibilities in his local church. Jim also enjoys growing and transplanting trees, fishing, and providing encouragement to young people as they set out into the “real” world.

You may contact James directly by sending an email to jnash@nashbeanford.com

Robert N. Nash is an attorney of Counsel at the law firm of Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP. The law firm has offices in Geneseo and Moline, Illinois and conference facilities available throughout Northwestern Illinois. Mr. Nash chose the estate and business planning arena because he believes it provides a positive force in his clients’ lives. He practices preventative, rather than remedial law. Robert Nash focuses on all aspects of estate planning, including estate, gift and income taxes, trust and probate administration, real estate, and business.

Experience

Mr. Nash has been a featured speaker and author for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, an organization dedicated to providing continuing legal education for Illinois lawyers. He is an instructor for Continuing Education courses sponsored by the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys for CPAs, Financial Planners and Insurance Agents on estate planning and business succession planning. Mr. Nash has presented many private and public seminars on estate and business planning topics. He is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of Illinois and the U.S. Federal District Court, and has been in private practice since 1976.

He is a published co-author of the book Hope for an Enduring Legacy: Estate Planning that Crafts the ‘Message of Your Life

Education

Mr. Nash has received his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Robert Nash received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he was a staff writer for the Law Review. He also completed his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance magna cum laude. Mr. Nash is a member of the Henry County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Personal

Bob resides in Geneseo, Illinois, with his wife, Ginny. They have three children. He is active in his church and a member and past President of the Geneseo Rotary Club, past vice-chairman and member of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Board, and member of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. Bob enjoys kayaking and aviation. He is a licensed Private Pilot and a member of the Gen-Airport Association.

You may contact Robert directly by sending an email to rnash@nashbeanford.com

John W. Bean is an attorney of Counsel at the law firm of Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP and joined James H. Nash and Robert N. Nash in the practice of law in 1980. He became a partner in 1983. John’s goal was to provide the very best estate planning services to his clients. He previously handled the firm’s workers compensation practice, in addition to work in basic estate planning and real estate.

Experience

Mr. Bean served as an Assistant Public Defender for the State of Indiana, and was responsible for post-convictions petitions from 17 counties in northern Indiana. He held a position as in-house counsel for Farmers National Bank in Geneseo, helping to establish a Trust Department. For five years, Mr. Bean served as an Assistant States Attorney, prosecuting in Henry County, Illinois. He is admitted to practice before all courts of Illinois, Indiana, and the U.S. Federal District Court.
He is a published co-author of the book Hope for an Enduring Legacy: Estate Planning that Crafts the ‘Message of Your Life

Education

John Bean received his Juris Doctor from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1976. While attending law school, he was a member of the Federal Courts project. He completed his undergraduate studies at Augustana College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Mr. Bean is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Henry County Bar Association, of which he is a past president. He has served on the Boards of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce and the Geneseo Family Counseling Service, and is a past president of the Maple City Band.

Personal

Mr. Bean enjoys spending time with his wife, Victoria, and three children, Jennifer, Mary, and Bill. He plays the trumpet and is an avid fisherman, taking pleasure in the outdoors. John is active in his church serving on the Finance Committee and house Payments Committee and Diocesan Annual Stewardship Appeals.

You may contact John directly by sending an email to jbean@nashbeanford.com

Curtis J. Ford is a partner in the law firm of Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP. His practice focuses on Elder Law issues, including Long Term Care and Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning and Real Estate. Mr. Ford has had tremendous success in helping families preserve a legacy for their children.

Experience

Mr. Ford is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, and the Henry County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice before all courts of the states of Illinois and Iowa, and also the U.S. Federal District Court. In 1994, Mr. Ford was appointed by Governor Jim Edgar to serve as the Henry County Public Guardian and Public Administrator.
He is a published co-author of the book Hope for an Enduring Legacy: Estate Planning that Crafts the ‘Message of Your Life

Education

Mr. Ford received his Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University, graduating cum laude. He was an assistant editor of the Law Review, member of the Moot Court Team, and received the American Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law and Trial Advocacy. He served internships with the Student Legal Assistance Office, University Legal Counsel, Prairie State Legal Services, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Ford received his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in Business Administration.

Personal

Curt resides in Geneseo, Illinois, with his wife, Teri, and their two sons, Tyler and Ryan. He is currently serving on the Geneseo Good Samaritan Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the Greater Iowa Alzheimer’s Association, and Geneseo School Facility Enhancement Foundation. Mr. Ford previously served as President of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President of Rebuilding Together of Geneseo, and on the Board of Directors of Prairie State Legal Services and Growth Day Care, Inc. Mr. Ford is active in church activities, and enjoys playing golf in his leisure time.

You may contact Curtis directly by sending an email to cford@nashbeanford.com

Mary Ann Brown is a partner in the law firm of Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP. She chose to focus her practice in the area of elder law and estate planning. She has extensive experience assisting elderly clients with legal issues including long term care planning, government benefit issues, estate and trust planning, guardianships, and probate and trust administration. Mary Ann believes it is important to provide clients with information to make wise estate and long term care planning choices. She has successfully assisted families in preserving their legacy for their children while still providing quality-of-life care for the client.

Experience

Ms. Brown is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, and the Illinois State Bar Association. She is admitted to practice before all courts of the State of Illinois and Iowa, and has been in private practice since 1992.

Education

Ms. Brown received her Juris Doctor from Thomas Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, where she served at the Sixty Plus Elder Law Clinic. She received the American Jurisprudence Award in Research and Writing as well as Lawyering Before Trial, and also served as a member of the Student Appeal Board. Mary Ann received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.

Personal

Mary Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, Rod, and their two children, JohnPatrick and Clarice. She is Vice President of the East Moline School Board District #37; President of United Education Foundation; President of Believers Together Building Policy Committee; and, member of the Finance Committee for Christ the King Catholic Church in Moline.

You may contact Mary Ann directly by sending an email to mabrown@nashbeanford.com

Benjamin T. Young is an associate in the law firm of Nash Bean Ford & Brown, LLP.

Mr. Young received his Juris Doctor degree from Valparaiso University Law School. While in law school, Mr. Young served as Vice President of the Christian Legal Society, Finance Chairperson of the Trial Advocacy Team, and as Criminal Defense Clinic Advocate. Mr. Young also graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science.

He is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Illinois Bar Association and the Iowa Bar Association. Mr. Young is admitted to practice before all the courts of the State of Illinois and Iowa and practices out of the firm’s Moline and Geneseo offices.

Mr. Young resides in Geneseo with his wife, Abby.

JohnPatrick Brown was admitted to the bar in 2017. He is licensed to practice in Illinois and Iowa state and federal courts. He received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Iowa, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law. At Iowa, he was a research assistant for former U.S. Representative James Leach, was managing editor of The Journal of Corporation Law, and worked on the recruiting staff for Hawkeye Football. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, the Appellate Lawyers Association, the Rock Island County Bar Association, and the Scott County Bar Association. JohnPatrick is proficient in Spanish.

JohnPatrick practices in several areas of law. In addition to the firm’s existing practice areas of estate planning, real estate and corporate law, JohnPatrick concentrates on appellate practice, landlord-tenant law, probate litigation, and general civil litigation.

 

Dawn is a Closing Paralegal and the legal assistant to Robert Nash and Ben Young and also does trust closings for Mary Ann Brown. She has been with the firm for 22 years. In her position she is responsible for preparing numerous estate planning documents and meeting with clients to finalize their estate plan. She also prepares other various legal documents, manages Bob and Ben’s calendar, and provides a complete customer service experience to the clients she works with. Dawn lives in Geneseo with her husband and has two daughters; one working in Chicago, IL and one attending Illinois State University. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys walking, tennis, reading, attending concerts, and spending time with her family and friends.

Erin is a Trust Administration & Probate Case Manager for Nash Bean Ford & Brown and has been with the firm since February of 2015. Erin has been employed in the legal field for over 16 years and has experience in many areas. She assists the attorneys in taking care of the deceased’s trust and estate assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries. Erin lives in Port Byron with her husband Tony, and two children, Ian and Ivy. In her spare time, Erin enjoys shopping, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Jackie is the Funding and Business Services Assistant, and the Office Coordinator at Nash Bean Ford and Brown. She has been with the firm since October of 2004. Jackie works with asset collection and funding of trusts, preparation and coordinating of new businesses, and works closely with staff and attorneys to ensure needs are met for all. Jackie currently resides in Geneseo IL and has two sons. Her younger son, Nathan, is graduating this year and will be attending college in the fall. Her older son, Brandon, served in the US Navy and resides in WA with his wife, Johanna. In her spare time Jackie loves walking, camping, riding bikes, golfing and doing home improvements and projects around the house and garden.

Jean is the real estate paralegal for Nash Bean Ford & Brown and has been with the firm since 2000 and has been practicing real estate since 1991. Jean lives in Geneseo and has two fantastic daughters, Kirstyn and Taryn, three grandchildren, Kolbie, Cruse and Knox. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and walking her Shiba Inu, Bailey.

Kelli is the purveyor of all things financial and technology-related.  She believes you can never have too much information and she’s never met a number she didn’t like. Her mission is to find ways to make things more efficient and effective for the attorneys and staff who serve our clients.   Originally starting with the firm in 2008 as a paralegal in the Estate Planning and Estate Administration departments, she now serves as Bookkeeper and Technology Coordinator and is responsible for billing, accounts payable, and payroll, as well as coordinating the information technology needs of the firm.

Kelli graduated from Orion High School and Western Illinois University.  She has two adult children and one grandchild, who she can’t say “no” to.  Outside of the firm, Kelli likes reading, watching movies, playing scrabble and solving crossword puzzles.  She has recently discovered fishing, kayaking and golfing, and is hoping to get good enough at those things to keep wanting to do them.

Shawna is one of our closing paralegals and is the assistant to attorney Curt Ford.  Shawna started with our firm in February, 2019.  Shawna has been employed in the legal field for over 13 years and has experience in many areas. She is responsible for preparing estate planning documents and meeting with clients to finalize their estate plans.  Shawna lives in Geneseo with her husband, Robert, and their two sons, Zachary and Cooper.  In her spare time, Shawna enjoys spending time camping, bike riding, kayaking, fishing, and playing board games with her family. She also loves to read, ski, and travel.

Shirley works with our client relations as receptionist and marketing assistant. She has been with Nash Bean Ford & Brown for over 20 years and is dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional customer service. She is the first person you see when visiting the Geneseo office. Besides answering the phone, she updates our database, sends out appointment and review letters, coordinates seminars and makes modifications to PowerPoint presentations. She grew up on a farm, graduated from the Geneseo High School and attended classes at Black Hawk College. She lives in Geneseo with her dog, Reggie. Outside the office she enjoys working with her flowers and garden, riding bike, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Tonya is the legal assistant to Attorney Mary Ann Brown and is the guardianship case manager for the firm.  Tonya has been with the firm since June, 2014. In her position she is responsible with assisting with the preparation of Estate Planning and various legal documents along with coordination of scheduling appointments.  Tonya currently resides with her husband Mitch and two dogs. In her spare time, Tonya enjoys exercising, spending time outdoors, shopping and taking trips to new places.