Volunteer
What inspired you to start volunteering at NAELA?
I’ve volunteered with many nonprofit organizations, but NAELA is especially meaningful to me because it is geared toward elder law attorneys who bring both deep expertise and genuine compassion to the work they do. It’s a community of professionals who truly care.
Early in my career, Judith “Judie” Grimaldi was an incredible mentor to me, and she remains a mentor and dear friend today. She encouraged me to join NAELA and attend the annual meetings. I attended several of them and met remarkable colleagues from across the country. I was deeply honored when I was invited to speak at one of the meetings, and was part of the planning committee for the 2024 Boston annual conference. Those experiences inspired me to become more involved.
What roles have you taken on?
I began as a board member of the New York NAELA Chapter and gradually took on increasing leadership responsibilities, starting as treasurer and advancing through the officer positions. Today, I am truly honored to serve as president of New York NAELA.
What have you gained through your volunteer work?
Through my volunteer work, I have built strong professional relationships both within New York NAELA and across the country. NAELA has a robust national network, and I regularly connect with colleagues throughout the Northeast region through virtual meetings. The strength of that network has also led to meaningful client referrals, including from the West Coast.
Serving as president of the chapter has broadened my exposure to advocacy efforts on issues affecting older adults and individuals with disabilities, which I had not previously engaged with at this level. We are currently focused on timely, high-priority legislative issues impacting our community. Furthermore, we are placing particular emphasis on practice management initiatives to support our members in building and sustaining strong elder law practices.
What would you say to others thinking about volunteering?
Volunteering with NAELA truly feels like being part of a close-knit family. Over time, we have come to know one another on a personal level, and those relationships extend well beyond professional collegiality. We support one another, share ideas openly, and grow together — both professionally and personally. I know I can always count on them, and I strive to be someone they can count on as well.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
To match your interests and expertise with NAELA volunteer opportunities, go to NAELA.org/VolunteerForm.