Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Honors State Representative Jennifer Benson and Others

At its annual meeting on Thursday, December 10th, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) honored several individuals for their advocacy of elder services and their commitment to raising awareness of legal issues affecting seniors. Massachusetts State Representative Jennifer Benson was named the Legislator of the Year for her support and efforts for passage of legislation that protects seniors. Dr. Atul Gawande, author of Being Mortal, which addresses how medicine can not only improve life but also the process of its ending, received the Arthur Stavisky Award, an honor MassNAELA bestows each year on an individual who has dedicated themselves to promoting elder causes in the community.

Two special awards were bestowed that were created in 2014 in honor of the leadership and tireless endeavors of two longtime MassNAELA members. The Deborah H. Thomson Advocacy Award, which recognizes a MassNAELA member’s efforts advocating elder issues in state government, was presented to Laura Silver Traiger, Worcester, MA. The John J. Ford Litigation Advocacy Award, which honors a member’s efforts to protect the rights of seniors and the disabled, was bestowed on Patricia Keane Martin, Boston, MA.

Each year, MassNAELA recognizes chapter members for their commitment of time and energy to the chapter. The 2015 Member of the Year award was presented to Geralyn Warren, Medfield, MA for her work on the chapter’s Program Committee and Public Policy Committee. The President’s Award was bestowed on Steven Mann, Waltham, MA for his service to and support of the chapter and its president as the chapter treasurer. Timothy R. Loff, Newton, MA, who is retiring from the chapter board of directors, was honored for his 11 years of service as a director. Daniel M. Surprenant, New Bedford, MA received an award for his service and dedication as the 2015 chapter president.

The MassNAELA annual meeting also included the election of chapter officers and directors for the New Year. The 2015 officers include president, Margot Birke, Newburyport, MA; president-elect, Laura Silver Traiger, Worcester, MA; vice president, Karen B. Johnson, Acton, MA; treasurer, Steven Mann, Waltham, MA; clerk, Alexis Levitt, Hingham, MA; and immediate past president, Daniel M. Surprenant, New Bedford, MA.

Newly elected directors include: Annette Hines, Framingham, MA; Patricia Keane Martin, Boston, MA; Clarence Darrow Richardson Jr., Newton, MA; and Geralyn Warren, Medfield, MA.

The evening also featured a program entitled, “MassNAELA in Transition: Where We Were and Where We Are Going,” with founding chapter members, Emily Starr and Harry Margolis, reviewing the history of the chapter, where it finds itself today and its role in shaping the future of elder law. Catherine Seal, national NAELA president-elect, provided an update on current national public policy initiatives related to elder affairs.

The MassNAELA annual meeting was preceded by a vendor fair which featured 17 organizations showcasing their elder care services. The vendor fair provides MassNAELA members with awareness of essential quality-of-life services to which they can connect at-risk seniors and better serve their clients.

About MassNAELA
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the premier organization of elder and special needs law attorneys in the country, is dedicated to developing awareness of issues concerning the elderly and those with special needs. Nearly 500 attorneys are members of the Massachusetts Chapter. Members work directly with the elderly and those with special needs in areas as diverse as planning for catastrophic care costs, disability planning, age discrimination in employment and housing, benefits planning, estate planning, veterans’ benefits and more. For more information about MassNAELA, visit www.massnaela.com.