Elder and Special Needs Law Attorneys Association Kicks Off Celebration at Annual Conference in Atlanta
Washington, D.C. — The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is proud to celebrate “25 years of sharing and caring” through the Elder and Special Needs Law profession. Since 1988, NAELA’s mission has been to establish NAELA member attorneys as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance, and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age. Through its meetings, publications, educational materials, and advocacy efforts, NAELA has established itself as a leader in Elder and Special Needs Law.
NAELA members go beyond traditional estate planning, helping their clients make complex decisions in areas such as how to plan for the rising cost of long-term care (especially for the Baby Boom generation that is living almost a decade longer than its parents) and transferring decision-making in the event of incapacity. In addition, NAELA members assist families with acquiring and maintaining public benefits to cover the lifelong costs of caring for those with disabilities. NAELA members are advocates for the rights of seniors and people with disabilities to have access to better medical care, the ability to stay in their own homes, and maintain self-respect and as much independence as possible.
“NAELA always has been at the forefront of Elder and Special Needs Law. Founded by a core group of 42 attorneys who were dedicated to meeting the legal needs of older Americans and persons with disabilities and special needs, NAELA now has a membership of 4,400 which continues to grow. NAELA members are the reason that the Academy has thrived, by contributing not only to NAELA but also to the communities they serve,” said NAELA President Gregory S. French, CELA, CAP.
NAELA is a founding member of the Elder Justice Coalition, a coalition of organizational members that support the fight against elder abuse, promote awareness of elder justice issues, highlight government’s responsibility to help create systems to ensure elder justice, and the passage of the Elder Justice Act (S.333).
NAELA also is a founding member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, a coalition of aging organizations that serve older Americans and are dedicated to providing a voice for seniors and their families in the ongoing national debate on aging policy.
Visit the 25th anniversary website to learn more about NAELA’s history, read reflections by NAELA Past Presidents, view member photos, and more.
NAELA will kick off the 25th anniversary celebration at its Annual Conference, being held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 2-4, 2013. The Annual Conference is an unparalleled venue for Elder and Special Needs Law practitioners to learn, network, and engage with leading experts in the field. Members of the media are encouraged to attend the Annual Conference. For more information, contact Abby Matienzo.
About NAELA
Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Established in 1987, NAELA is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. The mission of NAELA is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance, and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age. NAELA currently has members across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit NAELA.org.