Elder Law and Special Needs Section 2025 Fall Meeting

Day 1: Thursday, October 23, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.             

Exhibitors | Avalanche Pass

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.             

Breakfast | Great Range

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.             

CLE Program Registration | Avalanche Pass

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.             

CLE Program General Session | McIntyre Range

7.0 MCLE Credits: 3.0 in Areas of Professional Practice; 1.0 Law Practice Management; 1.5 MCLE Credits in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; 0.5 Skills; 1.0 Ethics

9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.             

Opening Remarks & Sponsor Acknowledgements

Program Co-chairs:

Robin N. Goeman, Law Offices of Robin Goeman, Brooklyn

David I. Kronenberg, Grimaldi Yeung Law Group, Brooklyn

9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.           

I. From Courtroom Battles to Creative Solutions: Strategies for Elder Law Practitioners

Elder law litigation often arises at the intersection of family conflict, diminished capacity, and complex financial and care planning needs. This program will examine contested matters in elder law, including guardianship disputes, fiduciary challenges, and conflicts over care decisions. The discussion will also address litigated remedies in Family Court, Surrogate’s Court, and other forums where elder law disputes are adjudicated. In addition, the program will highlight practical alternatives to traditional litigation, including mediation, negotiated settlements, and proactive planning tools that can mitigate conflict before it escalates to court. 

Speaker:

Laura M. Brancato, Brancato Law Group, PLLC, Larchmont

1.0  MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

II. Sanity, Systems & Staff: The Secret to Sustainable Practice

Gain practical insights into the key roles, workflows, and team structures that support efficient law firm operations. Presenters from both small and large firm perspectives will share strategies for effective delegation, staff utilization, and scalable growth—so you can build a firm that works with you, not against you.

Speakers:

Megan Harris-Pero, Harris-Pero Law Firm, PLLC, Saratoga

Pauline Yeung-Ha, Grimaldi Yeung Law Group LLP, Brooklyn

1.0 MCLE Credit in Law Practice Management

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.        

Break with Exhibitors | Avalanche Pass

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.        

III. Oh my goodness, I have a Veteran Client/Decedent. What do I do? Veterans and Service Members Benefits in Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Probate

Attorneys who practice elder law, estate planning, and probate inevitably encounter clients who are veterans or the surviving family members of service members. Yet the mention of 'veteran' often produces hesitation. Many practitioners fear that veterans’ issues lie entirely within the unfamiliar terrain of VA disability claims. In truth, many of these issues fall squarely within estate, probate, tax, and healthcare law, albeit with special statutory overlays. This presentation will integrate New York and federal veterans’ benefits into a practical framework for attorneys. By weaving statutory language with case law and practice guidance, it will equip lawyers to recognize, advise, and protect clients without forfeiting valuable benefits.

Speaker:

Gary B. Port, Port and Sava, Lynbrook

1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.          

Lunch | Great Range

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

IV. Home is More than a House: Navigating Housing for People with Disabilities

Learn the tools needed to advise clients in how to approach planning for housing for people with disabilities by gaining an understanding of the regulatory framework, self-directed Medicaid and OPWDD, and the models for housing and support service available in New York. 

Speakers:

Roger Bearden, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, Albany

Betsy Davis Brugg, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, Rochester

Renee G. Schwartz, Goldman Schwartz LLC, Katonah

1.5 MCLE Credits in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2:45 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.             

V. CDPAP and PPL—How to do it now

CDPAP has transitioned to a single fiscal intermediary called PPL. This change affects both the enrollment process for new applicants and the delivery of services to existing CDPAP clients. This presentation will provide a brief overview of key information regarding the submission of CDPAP applications and the use of PPL under the new system.

Panel:

Elizabeth Jois, NYLAG, Special Litigation Unit, NYC

Kate Ross, Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, NYC

Julia Russell, NYLAG, Special Litigation Unit, NYC

Rebecca Wallach, NYLAG, Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program, NYC

0.5 MCLE Credit in Skills

3:10 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.             

Break with Exhibitors | Avalanche Pass

3:20 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.             

VI. Engesser v. McDonald, 25 CV 1689 (EDNY) – CDPAP Impact Litigation in Focus

NYLAG and Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, representing six individuals and two independent living centers as plaintiffs, filed suit to delay the transition of CDPAP participants to PPL to protect critical in-home care. This presentation will explore the story behind this impact litigation, offering insights into how such cases unfold and what lessons may be drawn as Medicaid is eyed for cuts and cost savings.

Panel:

Elizabeth Jois, NYLAG, Special Litigation Unit, NYC

Kate Ross, Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, NYC

Julia Russell, NYLAG, Special Litigation Unit, NYC

Rebecca Wallach, NYLAG, Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program, NYC

1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

4:10 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.           

VII. Finding the Compassion Balance: Best Practices for Empathic Lawyering Without Ethical Compromise

This session explores the ethical dimensions of empathy and compassion in legal practice. While compassionate lawyering can strengthen client relationships and improve outcomes, it also raises important ethical challenges—such as maintaining professional boundaries, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring independent judgment. Through case studies, ethical hypotheticals, and guidance from the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, this course will help attorneys find the right balance between empathic client service and ethical obligations. Attendees will leave with practical tools to integrate compassion into their practice while upholding their duties of competence, loyalty, confidentiality, and candor.

Speaker:

M. Elizabeth Clark, Law Offices of M. Elizabeth Clark PC, Saratoga

1.0 MCLE Credit in Ethics

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.             

Reception | The Den

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

Dinner | Great Range

Day 2: Friday, October 24, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Committee Meetings & Breakfast with Exhibitors | Great Range

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Exhibitor Hall | Avalanche Pass

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

CLE Program Registration | Avalanche Pass

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

CLE Programing/General Session | McIntyre Range

3.0 MCLE Credits: 2.0 in Areas of Professional Practice; 1.0 Skills

9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.            

Opening Remarks & Sponsor Acknowledgements

Program Co-chairs

Robin N. Goeman, Law Offices of Robin Goeman, Brooklyn

David I. Kronenberg, Grimaldi Yeung Law Group, Brooklyn

9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

I. Medicaid Policy Update: Key Changes Ahead

This session will cover critical updates to Medicaid, including implementation of the “three ADL” eligibility requirement and major shifts under OBBBA. We’ll examine the impact of cuts to MAGI and immigrant populations on older adult eligibility, changes to the equity cap, retroactive coverage rules, and other essential developments you need to know.

Speaker:

Rebecca Wallach, NYLAG, Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program, NYC

1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

II. What I Did & Wish I Had Not Done! Dos And Don’ts of Trust Drafting and Administration

How to deal with these issues in a Medicaid application, including using Powers of Appointment, Revocation of Trusts and Return of Gifts. What does ever good MAPT need? Do not just trust your drafting software defaults. Specific provisions will be reviewed to help you develop a well drafted MAPT with built in flexibility. Be a Goldilocks and get it just right.

Speakers:

Kameron Brooks, Brooks & Brooks, LLP, Little Valley

Patricia J. Shevy, The Shevy Law Firm, LLC, Albany

1.0 MCLE Credit in Skills

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.        

Refreshment Break with Exhibitors | Avalanche Pass

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.

III. Messed Up MAPTs at Application Time

Panel discusses what to do when it’s time to apply for Medicaid and the MAPT has been misused, poorly drafted, or maybe isn’t a MAPT at all. Busting, Decanting, Prayer…what options might be available?

Speakers:

Kameron Brooks, Brooks & Brooks, LLP, Little Valley

Robin N. Goeman, Law Offices of Robin Goeman, Brooklyn

David I. Kronenberg, Grimaldi Yeung Law Group, Brooklyn

Patricia J. Shevy, The Shevy Law Firm, LLC, Albany

1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.         

Closing Remarks