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What “CELA” Stands For and Why I’m So Proud to Be One

In this Elder Law Minute, Wes Coulson, Southern Illinois Elder Law attorney, explains what CELA means and why he is so proud of this special designation from the National Elder Law Foundation.

What “CELA” Stands For and Why I’m So Proud to Be One

Transcript:

Hi, I am Wes Coulson from Dent-Coulson Elder Law in O’Fallon, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri and serving clients in both states and this is your Elder Law Minute. If you’ve seen my name at various places, behind it you will see the letters CELA, pronounced Seela. I want to talk to you today about what that means and why I’m so proud of it.

CELA is short for Certified Elder Law Attorney. It is a designation that is conferred by the National Elder Law Foundation, which is the only organization that is accredited by the American Bar Association to confer practice area specialization in the field of elder law. In saying that, I have to make the disclaimer that as in other fields of practice, neither Missouri nor Illinois recognize this practice area as specialization in the field of elder law.

I’m very proud of that designation. First of all, I am one of only a handful of people in both Illinois and Missouri to have attained it, but it’s really difficult to have obtained. First, you have to pass a very grueling examination that has a less than 50 percent pass rate. Second, you have to have established proficiency in a large number of different branches of the discipline of elder law and you have to demonstrate that, not only by saying I’m good at it, but by showing that over the passed five years before application that you have handled a pretty significant number of cases that involve that. You have to be recommended by other existing certified elder law attorneys.

What does that mean in practical terms for you as a client or prospective client? In short, it means that I really know what I’m doing, that I have a lot of experience doing it, and that I have been recognized by my peers as one of the people who is most particularly qualified in the field. I think what that translates for you is into getting very high quality legal representation. That is most certainly our goal. Thanks so much for your time. 

For more, visit these articles and videos:

  • How to Choose the Right Elder Law Attorney
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“Your Trusted Advisor on the Elder Care Journey”

Dent-Coulson Elder Law is dedicated to providing families in the St. Louis area with their Elder Law needs. Our practice areas include Asset Preservation Planning, Veterans Benefits, Medicaid Eligibility, Alzheimer’s Planning, Special Needs Planning, Estate Planning and more. We understand the financial challenges you may face as you and your loved ones grow older. At Dent-Coulson Elder Law, our clients’ well-being is our number one priority. For immediate help, call (618)632-7000 or (314)567-9292 or Contact Us and we will get in touch as soon as possible.

Veterans Benefits O'Fallon ILFor Immediate Help

If you or a loved one needs immediate help with a planning matter or legal issue, please contact us, and we will get back to you promptly.

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774 Sunset Blvd Suite 200
O'Fallon, IL 62269
IL: (618) 632-7000
MO: (314) 567-9292

415 W. Virginia Ave.
Effingham, IL 62401
(217) 330-5500

Fax: (618) 632-7333
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Front office building of Coulson Elder Law

Front office building of Coulson Elder Law

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774 Sunset Blvd Suite 200
O'Fallon, IL 62269
IL: (618) 632-7000
MO: (314) 567-9292

415 W. Virginia Ave.
Effingham, IL 62401
(217) 330-5500

Fax: (618) 632-7333
Send us an email

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