Message from the President, jesci norrington

Thank you for visiting the website of the Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA), a chapter of the National  Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.  VAELA is leading the way in special needs and elder law in Virginia!

Founded in 2002, VAELA now has more than 200 members throughout the Commonwealth.  VAELA’s mission is to educate, inspire and empower legal representation of elderly and disabled clients and their families, and to advocate their issues before courts and legislatures. The elderly and people with disabilities often face a multitude of legal issues.  Members of VAELA are knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys who provide the specialized service and advice needed to sort through those issues. Our attorneys provide a wide variety of legal services from basic to complex estate planning, probate and trust administration services, special needs planning for children and adults, assistance with guardianship and conservatorship, and preserving eligibility for Medicaid and other public benefits.

VAELA helps its members hone their skills as elder law attorneys and increase their knowledge base on aging issues and special needs planning. We sponsor ongoing legal education, including an annual "UnProgram" and fall program. The UnProgram provides our members with a two-day collegial forum to discuss any issues and questions that are relevant to the practice of elder law, estate planning, and estate and trust administration as well as in-depth discussions of recent changes in the law. The fall program includes updates in the law impacting our practices and other educational opportunities. These programs also provide an unparalleled opportunity for new elder law attorneys to participate in discussions with the best and brightest of the Virginia elder law field, to better understand such topics as Medicaid planning, special needs trusts, nursing home admissions and discharges, estate planning, guardianship and protective proceedings, fiduciary litigation, practice management, and much, much more.

In addition, we offer our members monthly Zoom gatherings to meet with other members and discuss any questions or concerns in their individual practices. Finally, we provide our members an invaluable active Listserv which provides wonderful ongoing education and opportunities to get your questions answered by other active Virginia practicing elder law attorneys. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

Please contact us if you or your organization, would like more information on VAELA.