Fern Finkel named chair of NYSBA’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section

June 14, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Attorney Fern Finkel stands at the helm of the New York State Bar Association's Elder Law and Special Needs Section. Eagle file photo by Robert Abruzzese.

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The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) has named distinguished Brooklyn attorney Fern J. Finkel as the chair of its esteemed Elder Law and Special Needs section.

Finkel, the founding attorney of Fern Finkel & Associates, PLLC, brings over three decades of dedicated legal service and a profound commitment to her role, having worked tirelessly to protect and advance the rights of elders and those with special needs.

Finkel’s impressive legal career has centered around her compassionate approach to elder law, estate planning, asset protection, benefits, special needs planning, trusts, Medicaid, and probate matters. She has been in private practice since 1990. A seasoned litigator and legal mentor, Finkel has served as the appointed Guardian and/or Trustee for numerous individuals requiring personal needs and property management.

Finkel’s impressive academic record includes an honors degree from New York University College of Business and Public Administration, and a Juris Doctor Degree from Boston University School of Law. She has been recognized by New York Super Lawyers in the field of Elder Law for an unprecedented ten consecutive years, from 2014 through 2023.

The attorney has also made significant contributions to legal education and the development of emerging lawyers. Among her many initiatives, Finkel pioneered the Legal Education and Assistance Project (LEAP) at the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, and she has lectured extensively for various Bar Associations and Continuing Legal Education providers on critical elder law topics. She has also served as a mentor attorney at Brooklyn Law School, Touro Law School, and New York Law School.

In a shining testament to her dedication to her community, Finkel has been recognized with a multitude of awards for her pro bono service. Most notably, she was named a “Champion of Justice: Women in Leadership in Law and Administration of Justice” honoree by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 2019.

Her recent appointment as Chair of the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section presents an exciting new chapter in her career. In this role, she will guide and implement initiatives designed to protect clients and provide valuable opportunities for legal professionals in the field of Elder Law and Special Needs Law.