Sections

Like our chapters, section membership is open to any NAELA member. NAELA sections focus on specific and distinctive areas of elder law and special needs planning. Section membership, like NAELA membership, is based on the calendar year (January to December).

The annual fee per section is $60 (except for the New/Transitioning Attorneys section, which is offered free to members who fit the criteria). If you are a current member of NAELA and would like to add a section to your membership account,  you can join online or download the application below. If you are new to NAELA, sections can be added at the time you join.

Join Sections

Section Benefits

All sections provide members the opportunity to participate in focused areas of the law by providing information and networking opportunities specific to their practice and areas of interest. NAELA sections share information and helpful resources via their listservs and archived content libraries, with many sections offering newsletters and webinars as well.  

Advocacy/Litigation Section

The NAELA Advocacy and Litigation Section offers NAELA members litigation and advocacy expertise and resources on issues related to estate and trust administration, probate, civil litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, representation of fiduciaries, elder and disability rights, nursing home litigation, and abuse and exploitation matters. Section members regularly practice in state and federal courts and administrative hearings. In addition to sharing information via the section listserv, the section produces webinars and newsletters.

Guardianship/Conservatorship Section

This section explores the issues related to the legal adjudication of capacity, the administration of guardianship estates, and the guardian’s fiduciary liability as well as an attorney’s fiduciary liability in the guardianship process. Through case law and other related materials, section members network by sharing information.

Medicare, Medicaid and Health Care Advocacy

This section offers, among other things, the opportunity to delve more deeply into issues related to Medicaid and Medicare--and beyond. Join your colleagues in understanding better the complex world of health care issues, regulations, and their impact. 

New/Transitioning Attorneys Section

This section is for new attorneys or attorneys new to NAELA. Its primary focus is to provide a forum, in addition to the national member listserv, for new and transitioning attorneys to ask questions and share experiences. Membership in this section is free and limited to those who have been attorneys for less than 10 years or who have been a NAELA member for less than three years.

Practice Development/Practice Management Section

As an Elder and Special Needs Law attorney, how do you promote your firm and the services you offer? This section provides members a chance to connect with others and learn proven marketing tips and strategies. The Practice Development/Practice Management section publishes newsletters, offers webinars, and runs a listserv solely focused on growing your practice.

Special Needs Law Section

To address the unique challenges of special needs law, this community was created to help special needs law practitioners explore the nuances of this critical legal field, share experiences and expertise, and advance their practices. In addition to sharing information via the section listserv, the section produces additional content such as webinars and newsletters. 

Tax Section

The purpose of the Tax Section is to keep members advised on significant tax developments impacting elder law, trusts and estates, and related practice areas and to provide a user-friendly forum for active tax practitioners and members interested in developing their practices in this area. 

Trusts and Special Needs Trusts Section

Keep yourself up-to-date on the latest cases involving trusts and related matters. In this section, members benefit from section webinars and newsletters and by sharing cases and analyses.