Joshua A.
Kirkpatrick

Bio

Josh is an attorney at MacDonald Illig and a member of the firm’s Business Transactions and Trusts & Estates Practice Groups. His practice focuses on business law, estate planning, and related transactional matters. Josh works closely with clients to understand the legal and financial issues affecting their personal and business goals and provides practical guidance designed to support informed decision-making.

Josh Helps Clients With:

• Business transactions
• Business law matters
• Estate planning
• Trust and estate matters
• Compliance and regulatory-related matters
• Financial and operational legal guidance
• Transactional planning and support

Josh assists individuals, families, and businesses with planning and transactional matters while focusing on clear communication and practical legal solutions.

Approach to Client Service

Josh is committed to building strong client relationships grounded in communication, trust, and respect. He takes the time to understand each client’s objectives and works to provide straightforward and practical guidance that helps clients make confident decisions regarding their personal and business matters.

Experience and Professional Background

Josh focuses his practice within the firm’s:

• Business Transactions Practice Group
• Trusts & Estates Practice Group

Prior to and during law school, he gained experience involving business, compliance, regulatory, and financial matters. He also worked within the Global Securities Finance and Institutional Accounting departments of a leading financial institution, where he developed experience related to institutional accounting and international financial operations.

Education and Academic Background

Josh earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

During his undergraduate studies, he spent more than a year advocating for and researching financial literacy initiatives throughout Pennsylvania, particularly within the Erie community. This experience helped shape his understanding of financial planning and business operations and strengthened his connection to the Erie region.

He later earned his Juris Doctor from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. While in law school, Josh participated in several student organizations and further developed his legal research and writing skills through work involving business, compliance, and regulatory matters.

Community Involvement

Josh is deeply committed to community service. He volunteered for more than three and a half years with Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit legal clinic serving individuals in need, and now continues supporting the organization as a member of its board of directors.

Having developed a strong appreciation for the Erie community during his undergraduate years, Josh remains committed to serving clients and supporting the continued growth of the region.