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National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)

Founded in 1993, the National Elder Law Foundation is the only national certifying program for elder law and special needs attorneys in this new and growing specialty area of the law.

Since 1994, NELF has certified more than 400 elder law attorneys. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge attorneys who have demonstrated the highest knowledge, proficiency, and experience in the field of representing elderly people and people with special needs.

To receive NELF certification, Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) must pass a written examination and demonstrate compliance with strict standards showing their practice is focused on the special needs of older and special needs clients.

Search for NELF Board Certified Lawyers

About the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)

Overview

  • Founded: 1993

Mission and History

The National Elder Law Foundation ("NELF") was created in 1993 by the Board of Directors of The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). The next year it certified the first group of attorneys as "Certified Elder Law Attorneys" (CELAs).

The NELF's board of certification and its various committees utilizes private attorneys in the public and private sectors working in the elder law field. In February of 1995, the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association (ABA) approved the National Elder Law Foundation as the certifying entity for specialization in elder law.

Since 1994, NELF has certified more than 400 elder law attorneys. Many of the most qualified Elder Law attorneys are CELAs.According to the NELF website, the leaders in other organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Special Needs Alliance, and the Academy of Special Needs Planners are almost universally CELAs.


Details

People

NAELF Certified Specialist Active on Lawyer Legion

Dennis Michael Sandoval
Dennis M. Sandoval, a Professional Law Corporation
Riverside, CA
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Matthew Alan Linde
Matthew A. Linde, P.A.
Fort Myers, FL
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Joseph Stuart Karp
The Karp Law Firm, P.A.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
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Martha Geisler Patterson
Geisler Patterson Law Firm
Burbank, CA
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Linda M Anderson-green
Anderson Elder Law
Media, PA
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R.J. Connelly III
Connelly Law Offices, Ltd.
Pawtucket, RI
View Profile

Directory of NELF Certified Attorneys in the United States

Lawyer Legion maintains a nationwide directory of NELF Board Certified Elder Law Attorneys. The public is able to browse the directory and narrow their search by specialty area, county or city to and connect with board certified lawyers to help with their case. Lawyer Legion is the only commercial lawyer directory to properly acknowledge all ABA-accredited specialization programs for both national and state-level board certifications, including those granted by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Use this directory to find board certified lawyers who are specialized in their respective areas of law. Start by choosing your state from the list below.


Contact the NELF

National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)
6336 N. Oracle Rd. Ste. 326, #136
Tucson, 85704
nelf.org
Office: (520) 881-1076
Fax: (520) 203-0277

Online Profiles

More About the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)

Requirements to Be a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)

Section 5 of the Rules and Regulations adopted by NELF's board of certification set the minimum standards for certification. In order to earn a designation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) the attorney must:

  • Be an attorney in good standing and licensed to practice law in at least one state or the District of Columbia;
  • Have at least five years experience;
  • Pass a comprehensive written examination on elder law issues;
  • Have an active legal practice with an average of at least 16 hours per week devoted to elder law during each of the three-years immediately preceding the application;
  • Show "substantial involvement" as an elder law attorney by handling at least 60 elder law matters during the past three-years;
  • Show participated in at least 45 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) classes in elder law during the preceding three-years; and
  • Submit at least five references from attorneys or judges familiar with the attorney's competence and qualifications in elder law.

Legal Definition of "Elder Law"

The legal definition of the term "Elder Law" refers to the representation of older persons and their families about issues that are often unique to senior citizens, including long-term and health planning. In many cases, the elderly person and his or her family or other representatives must plan for surrogate decision-making and issues surrounding the elderly person's legal capacity.

The elder law attorney may deal with the conservation, disposition, and administration of the older person's estate. Elder law attorneys should possess federal tax law experience to deal with the applicable tax consequences of the legal actions.

The NELF has identified the following twelve (12) categories of legal services provided in an Elder Law practice:

  • Health and Personal Care Planning;
  • Pre-Mortem Legal Planning;
  • Fiduciary Representation;
  • Legal Capacity Counseling;
  • Public Benefits Advice;
  • Special Needs Counseling;
  • Advice on Insurance Matters;
  • Resident Rights Advocacy;
  • Housing Counseling;
  • Employment and Retirement Advice;
  • Disability Discrimination Counseling; and
  • Litigation and Administrative Advocacy.

Elder law attorneys often identify issues of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elder person or the special needs person. Legal issues often arise with insurance, long-term care and retirement.

Lawyers focused on elder law often have experience helping their clients obtain public services such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits and housing and food programs, as well as other resources.

Elder law encompasses knowledge about other specialty fields including familial law, federal tax law, trust, estate planning, probate, and wills.


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