James (JD) Beard is the founder of JD Beard Law PLLC, bringing over two decades of legal experience to his estate planning practice in Virginia. As an attorney and counselor at law, JD is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive estate planning services tailored to each family’s unique needs.

Before founding his private practice, JD spent 20 years as an Assistant Public Defender with the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. In this role, he was privileged to advocate daily for the civil rights and personal liberties of Virginians. This experience solidified his commitment to justice, equality, and diligent representation—values that now guide his estate planning work.

JD specializes in Special Needs Planning, drawing from his personal experience as the parent of a child with disabilities and complex medical needs. He understands the challenges and uncertainties faced by families in similar situations and is passionate about empowering parents to secure a safe and stable future for their loved ones. His practice emphasizes creating plans that preserve eligibility for essential government benefits while safeguarding the well-being of beneficiaries.

JD strives to make estate planning accessible and understandable. His services include drafting Wills, Trusts, Advance Medical Directives, Durable Powers of Attorney, and Special Needs Trusts / Supplemental Needs Trusts, all designed to provide peace of mind and protection for his clients’ families.

Through a sliding-scale fee structure, JD ensures his services remain affordable for families across Virginia, demonstrating his commitment to making estate planning an achievable goal for everyone.