2025 Most Influential Women: Rachel Fortenberry

Rachel Fortenberry’s law firm is more than a business.

“It’s a team of people who lead with heart,” says the attorney and founder of Fortified Elder Law LLC. “I’ve invested in internal systems, mentorship and professional development so we can deliver not only legal excellence but white-glove service.”

Fortenberry has a vision.

“We’re moving into a larger office soon, and with that transition comes room for even bigger ideas — initiatives that blend legal advocacy with caregiver education, professional partnerships and broader community support,” she says. “We’re laying the groundwork now for what I hope will become a model for how aging-related legal services can evolve to meet the real needs of families across time.”

Fortenberry’s mission is to protect clients from the financial and emotional toll that can accompany aging, long-term care and death.

“I’ve grown the firm into a trusted, values-driven practice that guides clients through estate planning, asset protection and Medicaid eligibility with empathy and clarity,” she says. “Our work helps families safeguard their life savings while ensuring their wishes are honored and their loved ones supported. But we don’t stop at documents. We take the time to listen, uncover the real fears and hopes behind the paperwork and provide stability in moments of deep uncertainty.”

Starting with her work with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland in law school, Fortenberry has always reserved part of her life for service.

“I started my career in the public sector and have remained deeply involved in civic and volunteer work ever since,” she says. “I’ve served in a variety of roles across causes, from legal advocacy and children’s services to women’s leadership and senior care.”

Fortenberry has held leadership roles in the Junior League of Springfield and volunteers for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. In an effort to break down silos that can form within senior care, she founded Springfield Area Senior Services, which allows professionals from social workers to placement specialists to build relationships that can translate into better outcomes for families.

Fortenberry also gives free talks to nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and the Alzheimer’s Association to help families make informed decisions. She’s board president for Hospice Foundation for Outreach, which holds the End-of-Life Care Summit for medical and care professionals and is working to build a national online caregiver education platform for hospice families.

To focus on aging and end-of-life care is Fortenberry’s calling.

“Guiding clients through the legal, financial and emotional complexities of aging and dying is where my heart is.”