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Membership with NAELA
When you join NAELA, you become a member of the premier provider of legal advocacy, guidance and services to Elder Law and Special Needs planning attornys. Some of the issues NAELA members assist their clients with include, but are not limited to: probate and estate planning, asset preservation, guardianship/conservatorship, public benefits, and health and long term care planning. NAELA membership is comprised of attorneys in the private and public sectors who deal with legal issues affecting the two most vulnerable populations: older Americans and people with disabilities. Members also include judges, professors of law, and students.
The Benefits of NAELA Membership
NAELA Publications
NAELA membership includes complimentary subscriptions to NAELA News and NAELA Journal. NAELA News is a vibrant bi-monthly magazine that focuses on providing up to date information on current Elder Law and Special Needs Law topics, NAELA events, and NAELA State Chapter and Section events and activities. NAELA Journal is published twice a year and contains substantive articles covering a wide range of Elder Law and Special Needs Planning topics from Medicaid to mental health law. Both publications are available only to NAELA members and select libraries.
Weekly Information Via Newsletter
The NAELA eBulletin provides members Elder and Special Needs Law news and cases, and updates on legislation affecting Elder and Special Needs Law attorneys and their clients as well as information about what is happening within the NAELA community.
Networking
Because networking plays such a critical role in the continuing education of members, NAELA offers its members complimentary membership to NAELA's National Listserv. The Listserv provides members with a forum for discussions on substantive issues as well as practice management and development issues. By posting inquiries and comments on the Listserv members are able to receive immediate feedback from hundreds of other members throughout the country.
State Chapters
NAELA's state chapters sponsor continuing legal education programs, publish newsletters and maintain internet-based databases and libraries. Chapter members have additional opportunities to network with in-state peers via chapter forums and listservs. NAELA's innovative state chapters lead grassroots efforts in advocating for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Chapter officers distribute copies of legislation, sample letters to representatives and senators, as well as consistent public policy updates on an as-needed basis. Chapter membership offers promotional opportunities via public access, state-specific membership directories. Leadership opportunities are available to members willing to serve on Chapter committees or serve as a Chapter officer or president.
Topical Sections
Upon joining NAELA, you have the opportunity to participate in nine distinctive Sections, Advocacy/Litigation, Medicare/Medicaid and Government Healthcare, Guardianship/Conservatorship, Practice Success, Special Needs Law, Tax, Trusts and Special Needs Trusts, and Young/Transitioning Attorneys. Section members may access member-contributed articles, cases, newsletters and publications. Section members are also expected to share articles or other documents with fellow Section members as appropriate. Each Section hosts dedicated forums and listservs to promote real-time communication between members. Bi-annual Section newsletters keep members up-to-date in their specific fields of interests. NAELA Sections also sponsor virtual meetings and the publication of topical brochures for use in members' practices.
Live and On Demand Education Opportunities
NAELA is a cutting-edge provider of Elder Law and Special Needs Planning continuing legal education. NAELA sponsors an annual symposium and an annual advanced summit. Both programs offer practitioners current information on a litany of Elder Law and Special Needs Planning topics. In addition to live meetings NAELA offers hundreds of topics available on demand, many complimentary to NAELA members. Our online Knowledge Base contains almost 2,000 articles, presentations and other educational materials to search.
Public Policy/Advocacy
NAELA's Public Policy Committee keeps the membership abreast of ever-changing federal and state legislation related to Elder law and Special Needs Planning. Copies of legislation, sample letters to representatives and senators, updates on public policy activities, and other tools to influence legislation affecting the elderly and disabled are circulated to the membership on an as needed basis.
National Elder Law And Special Needs Planning Months
NAELA has designated the month of May as "National Elder Law Month" and October as "Special Needs Law Month." National Elder Law Month and Special Needs Law Month benefits NAELA member communities and clients. Whether you organize a seminar in your local senior center, write an article for your local newspaper or provide pro-bono services, both of these months provide another opportunity for NAELA members to be the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance, and services to enhance the lives of seniors and people with disabilities. A National Elder Law Month and Special Needs Law MonthToolkit containing everything from sample presentations to sample public service announcements are made available to NAELA members.
Commitment to Aspirational Standards
NAELA members affirm their commitment to NAELA's Aspirational standards when joining and renewing their membership each year. Attorneys who aspire to and meet these Standards will elevate their level of professionalism in the practice of Elder and Special Needs Law, and enhance the quality of service to their clients. As attorneys meet these Standards, the practice of Elder and Special Needs Law will be raised to a higher standard of professionalism.
Criteria for NAELA Membership
- Membership is open to attorneys and all those who possess a juris doctorate or equivalent degree and are licensed or authorized to practice law under the jurisdiction of any country.
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Full-time law school students at an accredited college or university are eligible for membership during the duration of their studies.
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The attorney renders legal services for the benefit of the elderly and people with disabilities or is in an endeavor which encompasses the legal needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.
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The attorney has an understanding of the aging process and a sensitivity to the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.
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The attorney is committed to the highest standards of ethics in representing the needs or promoting the welfare of the elderly and people with disabilities.
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The attorney, as a condition of membership, pledges to support the Academy’s Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder Law.
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The attorney has a knowledge of the aging network and those services available through other agencies which benefit the elderly and people with disabilities, or wishes to gain such knowledge.
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The attorney has a commitment to positive involvement in the work of the Academy and its purposes.
About NAELA membership payments
All NAELA dues are not refundable and membership is not transferable.
Because most NAELA members are not a part of large firms, NAELA membership is based on individual enrollment and does not offer a group enrollment option.
By submitting renewal payments each year, members agree to continue to pledge their support of the Academy's Aspirational Standards.