Protected Referral Directory

Implements and administers a formal system to certify elder law attorneys through the CELA® designation, including setting eligibility criteria such as five years of legal practice, 16 hours per week dedicated to elder law over three years, 45 hours of elder law-specific CLE within three years, and five attorney references. The exam is administered twice yearly in March and September, with proctoring available at CELA® offices or remotely.

Implements and administers a comprehensive certification system for elder law attorneys, including administering the CELA exam twice yearly in March and September, with remote or in-person proctoring options. Candidates must meet rigorous requirements including five years of legal practice, 16 hours per week dedicated to elder law over three years, 45 hours of elder law-specific CLE, and professional references.

Manages the application process for certification, including providing a downloadable long-form application, accepting submissions via email, requiring supporting documentation, and enforcing submission deadlines based on short-form expiration dates.

Administers a certification program for elder law attorneys, including eligibility requirements, examination twice a year (March and September), and a structured pathway for preparation. This program is approved by the American Bar Association.

Provides ongoing professional development for Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) through required continuing legal education (75 hours for recertification), specialized educational programming, mentorship, access to a website with updates and resources, a Listserv for collaboration, and professional marketing materials.

Offers virtual educational sessions for student members on elder law topics, provides recorded webinars monthly, and presents specific webinars on topics like planning for family cottages and farms, and understanding the "Name on the Check Rule" and MCAs.

Supports ongoing professional growth through a Listserv for collaboration, exclusive access to a resource hub website, advanced educational content, marketing materials, and the "Practice Accelerator" program focused on practice management and technical expertise.

Operates a Listserv for Certified Elder Law Attorneys to share information and support, and provides access to exclusive networking opportunities and an online resource hub with updates, tools, and resources via its website.

Organizes and hosts the annual NELF Forum, such as the 2026 event in Denver, Colorado, featuring substantive legal content and practice development tracks. Offers pre-conference sessions for non-certified attorneys and exclusive "UnProgram" and practice management sessions for Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs).

Hosts the annual NELF Forum, such as the 2026 event in Denver, Colorado, featuring multiple content tracks including a Substantive Track for advanced legal knowledge and a Practice Development Track for business and operational strategies. Offers pre-conference sessions for non-CELAs and exclusive "CELA UnProgram" and practice management sessions for Certified Elder Law Attorneys.

Operates an online directory of Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) accessible to consumers and professionals to locate qualified specialists in elder and special needs law.

Offers mentorship opportunities for early-career attorneys from Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) and allows up to 20 hours of continuing legal education credit toward recertification for professional contributions such as teaching, speaking, or publishing in elder law.

Hosts an annual forum, such as the 2026 National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) Forum in Denver, Colorado, offering substantive tracks for advanced legal insight, practice development tracks, pre-conference sessions for non-CELA attorneys, exclusive practice management sessions, and CELA UnProgram Sessions.

Provides mentorship pairings between early-career attorneys and experienced Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs), along with a "Practice Accelerator" program offering expert-level technical education and practice management enhancement resources.

Operates an online directory of Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) that is accessible to both consumers and other professionals seeking specialized legal services.

Offers a "Practice Accelerator" program designed to enhance practice management skills and provide expert-level technical education for legal practitioners.

Offers structured educational programming including monthly recorded webinars, live webinars on specialized topics (e.g., family cottages and farms, the 'Name on the Check Rule'), and advanced content for Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs). Also provides up to 20 hours of CLE credit for professional contributions such as teaching, speaking, or publishing.

Offers a structured pathway and strategic guidance for attorneys preparing for the CELA® certification exam, including recorded webinars on the third Friday of each month, specialized educational content, and virtual educational sessions for student members on elder law topics.