By Abby M. Reitz
Step outside of your comfort zone and join people making a difference in the profession.
With the new year comes a sense of wanting to reflect and organize our thoughts on what we can change or do better. Have you thought of how you might do that in your professional life? Here, we introduce you to two members who have found that through volunteering for NAELA, they’ve strengthened their professional experience and connected with other members around the country.
Learn more about the volunteer opportunities with NAELA: www.NAELA.org/Volunteer.
An Invitation from NAELA President Michael J. Amoruso
I invite every NAELA member to become part of this incredible community of elder and special needs law attorneys and consider volunteering for NAELA. I started out getting involved with my state chapter in New York. From there, I joined national committees and task forces. Throughout it all, I have been continually amazed at the commitment shown by NAELA volunteers. Their efforts contribute to the success of NAELA and the field of elder and special needs law. Volunteering doesn’t just mean joining a committee. There are many opportunities for members who want to write or present online webinars or at a live NAELA event. Volunteering at NAELA allows you the opportunity to meet other members in your state and around the country and foster a sense of community. Take a minute today to think about how you can make a difference. -- Michael J. Amoruso, Esq., Fellow, CAP
Following are profiles of two NAELA volunteers. They talk about how they got involved and how their efforts benefit their professional and personal lives.
Ashley Shannon Burke, CELA
NAELA Litigation Committee
NAELA Ohio Chapter
Ashley is a past president, past vice president, and past secretary of the Ohio Chapter.
What made you want to join a NAELA committee?
I joined the Ohio Chapter when I had been practicing law for less than a year. It was a great way for me to get to meet other attorneys in the state and get to know my peers.
As I became more involved with the chapter, I started going to national events and realized what an asset it was to go to these events. My first national event I attended was the 2013 Annual Conference in Atlanta. Through my involvement at the state and national levels, I’ve learned that NAELA members are truly a collegial group.
I’ve grown as an attorney in the Ohio Chapter, but getting involved with national NAELA helped me grow as well, and I enjoy giving back to an organization that really cares about the members. National NAELA has done a good job listening to its members and giving them what they ask for by providing different committees and resources. You don’t always get that from other organizations.
Also, I’ve joined the Chapter Presidents and State Advocacy conference calls — they’ve been wonderful. They’re very informational and a great way to connect with other chapters.
My law partner, Janet Pecquet, has been involved with litigation for years and as a result, I’ve gotten more involved with litigation. The NAELA Litigation Committee has been great. It’s good to know what’s going on around the country with cases that may not only have a state impact, but a federal one as well.
How has your experience on these committees been so far?
I was a little concerned about the time commitment (something I struggle with as a practicing attorney), but it hasn’t been that much of a time commitment. Sometimes the Litigation Committee has time-sensitive issues with amicus briefs, but it’s worthwhile to get involved and potentially make an impact.
How has your volunteer experience made you feel more connected to NAELA and fellow members?
I don’t know of another practice area with such a collegial feel to it. I have friends from law school working in other practice areas, and it doesn’t sound like it’s the same for them. It’s been a wonderful experience to be able to call someone in NAELA to run ideas by and ask questions.
Also when the Ohio Chapter thought about hiring a lobbyist, we were able to look to other state chapters and see how they went about hiring one.
I’d encourage people to get out of their comfort zone and get involved with local or national NAELA. I was brand new to the field when I first joined, but I volunteered to serve as the chapter’s secretary, and from then on, I’ve met great friends and it’s made me a better attorney.
Brian F. Mahoney, Esq.
NAELA News Editorial Board
Since 2009, Brian has served on the NAELA News Editorial Board and has written several articles for NAELA News and Journal.
What made you want to join a NAELA committee?
I hadn’t participated on any editorial boards before, but I love to write and wanted to help.
How has your experience with the editorial board and writing been so far?
It’s been fun, but also a lot of work. The fun part is interviewing incoming NAELA Presidents like Hy Darling and Brad Frigon for their Featured Member articles in NAELA News. I just wrote an article for NAELA Journal, “Representing Children with Learning Disabilities.” I’ve researched many interesting legal issues. I have a knack for writing articles. The hard part is editing the article. The Journal article was edited more than 50 times by me and others. I had more than 100 hours into it and when it was published it was a rewarding experience.
How has your experience made you feel more connected to NAELA and fellow members?
On the MassNAELA Listserve, I read posts all the time. They make me a smarter lawyer. I’ve learned so much from these posts. I try to reply and help others when I can. By being part of the NAELA News Editorial Board and an active Listserve participant, I’ve learned that you get a lot for your NAELA membership. As in life, you get more out of it if you put effort into it. In addition to the articles above, I’ve written articles on pet trusts and what special needs trusts can pay for. With the help of expert injury attorney David Hoey, I wrote about what a family should do when their loved one is injured in a nursing facility. I interact with the energetic and creative members of the NAELA News Editorial Board. They are all bright lawyers. I’m proud to be able to share my published work with clients.
About the Author
Abby M. Reitz is NAELA’s Communications Manager.