2021Annual
Join your fellow members, colleagues, and friends at NAELA’s 2021 Annual Conference. All you need to do is mark your calendar for March 24-26, 2021, and register to participate … as the conference is fully online. While we cannot meet in person in Philadelphia as planned, NAELA is excited to continue to provide the highest quality education along with opportunities to share and connect with others about the latest changes in the practice of elder and special needs law.
Digital Connection: Building a Virtual Marketing Strategy
Presented by Kristin Kane Ford
Many members are asking the same question, “How can I connect with potential clients virtually?” For practices and marketers navigating the virtual market, simply reaching the potential client has become a challenge. How do you blend virtual marketing with live/in-person marketing? How do I refocus my engagement strategies? These questions and more will be answered by keynote speaker Kristin Kane Ford, Director/Partner, Kane Partners Social Media. Kristin is a digital marketing strategist and social recruiting expert. Kristin has been featured on CBS, 6ABC, KYWNews Radio, and a recurring expert for career and social media topics for NBC10 Philadelphia. Her advice has been published in Forbes and other industry publications.
The Uses of Medical Marijuana in Older Adults and People with Disabilities
Presented by Barry Gordon, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Compassionate Cannabis Clinic; and Dr. Melanie K. Bone, Director of Medical Cannabis, MorseLife Health System
This presentation will discuss the clinical evidence that backs up why there should be access to medical marijuana, including a discussion of the benefits of medical marijuana vs. traditional pain management and/or anti-depressants for older adults and people with disabilities.
Maximizing the Quality of Life for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (persons under 65)
Presented by Bernard A. Krooks, CELA, Fellow; Amy C. O’Hara, CELA; and Sandi Rosenbaum
The life of an adult with developmental disabilities (I/DD) is characterized by significant transition from schooling through adulthood. The speakers will discuss various resources available to help individuals with I/DD and their families navigate quality-of-life issues including government benefit programs, health insurance coverage, and financial issues. The collaboration of attorneys and non-attorney professionals combine to provide a comprehensive plan that goes beyond just legal documents.
Advocating for Maximizing the Quality of Life for Persons with Dementia and Alzheimer’s (persons over 65)
Presented by Debra King, LCSW, and Barbara McGinnis, CELA
Elder law practitioners and the multidisciplinary professional teams they lead, can assist families in preserving dignity and independence for people with dementia through a structured system for managing the continuum of care including navigation of long-term care systems and supports, advocacy for appropriate high-quality care, and providing education and counseling for family caregivers. While utilizing a multidisciplinary approach including attorneys, insurance advocates, and professional care coordinators we have found a reported higher quality of life for both the person with disability and the family caregiver. During this presentation we will detail the role and functions of the multidisciplinary team members and illustrate this approach with a case study.
Recovering Assets Stolen Through Exploitation
Presented by Shari Polur, Esq., and Nicole Shannon, Esq.
Fiscal exploitation is described as the crime of the 21st century and disproportionately affects vulnerable adults. To protect our aging and disabled populations, attorneys, conservators, bankers, police, and courts must work together. From the viewpoint of a private practice elder law firm, subject matter to be covered includes financial abuse that clients and their families bring to their attorneys, as well as similar concerns raised by guardians, not-for-profits working with the elderly, Adult Protective Services, the Attorney General’s office, family members, and other colleagues.
Entering and Exiting a Law Firm Partnership
Presented by a diverse panel of elder law practitioners who will share their personal journeys.
The process and personal experience of entering or exiting a law practice can vary among firms as well as partners. The panelists represent sole practitioners to those who have transitioned to a vital member of a large estate planning and elder law practice. This session will be followed by the opportunity to participate in small group discussions based on where you may be in your personal journey of entering or exiting a law firm partnership.
Protecting Clients: Keeping Lay Fiduciaries and You Out of Hot Water
Presented by Miles P. Hurley, CELA
As elder law attorneys, we have the unique opportunity to represent lay individuals in various fiduciary roles where the stakes and emotions are high — not to mention that our clients often have no prior experience or possession of the requisite knowledge necessary to successfully carry out their duties. This session will cover educating lay fiduciaries about their responsibilities and the steps you and your client need to take in order to protect yourselves from liability. At the end of the session, you will have tools that you can use to be a more effective practitioner to existing and new lay fiduciary clients.
2021 Kruse Lecture: The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly of Ethical Representation Virtually
Presented by Mary Alice Jackson, Fellow; A. Frank Johns, CELA, CAP, Fellow; Jennifer VanderVeen, CELA, CAP, Fellow; and Stuart D. Zimring, CAP, Fellow
The Kruse lecture this year will highlight the ups and downs of representing elder law and special needs clients in 2020. The lecture will discuss the opportunities the pandemic has provided to reach people, address their needs, and develop new techniques that can be used even after this time ends. It will also look at the ethical challenges faced by virtual representation including communication, confidentiality, and execution of documents. Finally, we will take up the truly difficult issues surrounding accessing capacity and spotting undue influence.
Plus, more practical education to help your firm succeed in today’s environment.
• Using Key Metrics: How to Strategically Market Your Practice
• 2020 Case Law Update
• Paying for Long-Term Care Without Public Benefits
• …and more
Networking Opportunities
Networking is a cornerstone of our annual event and attendees will be able to partake in interactive, small-group discussions as well as reach out to other attendees through the online platform for one-on-one chats. You can also expect some “fun” mixed in to keep things on a lighter note.
Our Valued Exhibitors
Our exhibitors will be there too supporting the conference and providing you with the opportunity for them to showcase their solutions to your challenges just like at our live events.
Setting You Up for Success
We want to make sure your experience at this year’s Annual Conference is successful. All registered attendees will be invited to a preconference orientation session to make sure you are familiar with the virtual platform and recommended settings.
Please come celebrate our collective resilience and dedication to rethinking possibilities and forging connections without boundaries. We look forward to “seeing” you at this year’s 2021 Annual Conference, March 24-26, 2021. Visit www.NAELA.org/2021Annual for registration information, full agenda, speakers, and more.