Elder Law and Special Needs Section Summer 2026 Meeting

Newport Harbor Island Resort
1 Goat Island, Newport, RI 02840

Resort Tour: https://www.newportharborisland.com

Join your colleagues at the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Summer 2026 Meeting and CLE Program—an exceptional opportunity to deepen your expertise while enjoying a premier coastal destination. Hosted at the stunning Newport Harbor Island Resort, this highly anticipated annual gathering continues a tradition of delivering timely, practical education on the most pressing issues in elder law and special needs planning. Attendees can expect a robust CLE curriculum, with comprehensive, multi-day instruction and valuable professional insights. Designed with work-life balance in mind, this event is also family-friendly, offering a welcoming environment where attendees can bring loved ones to enjoy the resort’s amenities, nearby beaches, and the charm of Newport’s waterfront while participants engage in programming. Beyond the classroom, the meeting provides unparalleled opportunities to network with leading practitioners, exchange ideas, and relax in a vibrant coastal setting. Whether you are a seasoned attorney or new to the field, this summer meeting promises a perfect blend of education, connection, and family-friendly enjoyment.

Topics Covered: 

• Elder Law Update
• Special Needs Planning Beyond the SNT
• Assessing Capacity
• Medical Aid in Dying/End of Life Decisions Panel
• Attorney Pitfalls
• Veterans Affairs and Programs – Beyond Elder Law
• Trusts and Estates Jeopardy 
• Attorneys as Fiduciaries
• Guardianship Judges Panel

  Faculty
  Moriah Adamo, Abrams Fensterman, LLP, New Hyde Park, NY
  Laura M. Brancato, Brancato Law Group, PLLC, Larchmont, NY
  Yeates Conwell, M.D., University of Rochester Medicine, Rochester, NY
  Hon. Julie Grow Denton, New York State Supreme Court, Rome, NY
  Ilene P. Fern, New York Court System, Jamaica, NY
  Paul G. Ferrara, Costello Cooney & Fearon PLLC, Syracuse, NY
  Judith D. Grimaldi, Grimaldi Yeung Law Group, Brooklyn, NY
  Lindsay V. Heckler, Center for Elder Law & Justice, Buffalo, NY
  Hon. Gary F. Knobel, Supreme Court of the State of NY, Mineola, NY
  Tara Anne Pleat, Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC, Clifton Park, NY
  Gary B. Port, Port & Sava, Lynbrook, NY
  Dana Walsh Sivak, Falcon Rappaport & Berkman LLP, Rockville Centre, NY
  Renee G. Schwartz, Goldman Schwartz LLC, Katonah, NY
  Hon. Lisa A. Sokoloff, Office of Court Administration, New York, NY
  Peter J. Strauss, Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC, New York, NY
  Lisa R. Valente, Makofsky Valente Law Group, P.C., Garden City, NY

  Elder Law and Special Needs Section Chair 2026-27:
  Tammy Rose Lawlor, Miller & Milone, P.C. Garden City, NY
  
  CLE Program Agenda and Itinerary coming soon
  
  Accommodations:
  Reserve your room today!
  Attendees may book under the Elder Law Meeting room block using one of the options below:

• Call: (401) 849-2600
  • Select 1 for reservations
  • Mention: Elder Law Meeting room block
• Online Booking: https://book.passkey.com/go/ElderLawMeeting2026

   Booking Deadline

• Group rate cutoff date: July 17, 2026
• After this date (or once rooms sell out), reservations will be offered at the hotel’s best available rate

CLE Program Agenda and Itinerary coming soon

Area Attractions:

Click here for a list of must-see attractions in Newport, RI

Registration Rates:
NYSBA Member Rates

• ELSN Section Member – Early Bird (register before July 1): $975

• ELSN Section Member (starting July 1): $1,175

• NYSBA Member: $1,275

• New Attorney Rate: $825

• First-Time Attendee Rate: $625

Non-Member Rate

• Non-Member Registration: $1,670

Guest & Additional Tickets

These options may only be purchased in addition to a registration.

• Guest Registration (includes all meals and Thursday reception): $500

• Thursday Reception Ticket: $275

• Children Ages 13–17: $100

• Children Under 12: Complimentary

Sponsorship opportunities are available!  

The deadline to register is Thursday, August 6, 2025. 
Please direct any questions regarding event registration to the Member Resource Center.
Those who do not want to register online may call the Member Resource Center at 1-800-582-2452 to register.
Anyone who is unable to login to their NYSBA profile should also contact the Member Resource Center

Tuition Assistance is available for those who qualify. Please visit NYSBA.ORG/TUITIONASSISTANCE for more information.

Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities: NYSBA.ORG/ADA

Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellations received before July 17: Full refund (100% of registration fee)

• Cancellations received July 17 – July 30: 50% refund

• Cancellations received July 31 – August 6: 25% refund

• Cancellations received after August 6 or no-shows: No refund will be issued