Initial Message

As I begin my term as President of MassNAELA, I do so with tremendous gratitude and excitement. Gratitude for the leaders and volunteers who have built this remarkable organization, and excitement for the meaningful work ahead of us. This year, I am especially inspired by one guiding theme: connection.

Connection is at the heart of everything we do as elder and special needs law attorneys. Each day we meet individuals and families at deeply vulnerable moments filled with uncertainty, fear, tenderness, and hope. Our work is not just technical or transactional.  It is profoundly human. We help people find stability, access care, protect their dignity, preserve their independence, and secure peace of mind. That responsibility is both humbling and powerful, and we are stronger when we approach it together.

Within MassNAELA, connection also defines who we are as a professional community. We learn from one another, support one another, and lift each other up. Our collective knowledge, compassion, and creativity enable us to lead in advocacy, to educate the public and our colleagues, and to meaningfully impact how older adults and individuals with special needs experience the systems meant to serve them. Whether we are advancing legislation, responding to regulatory change, offering high-quality education, mentoring newer attorneys, or deepening our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we do it best when we do it together.

This year, my goal is to further strengthen our connections to:

  • Our mission by remaining focused on protecting dignity, rights, and quality of life.
  • One another by building community, sharing wisdom, and ensuring every member feels welcome and valued.
  • The world beyond our membership by engaging collaboratively with agencies, organizations, and the public to elevate the voice and impact of MassNAELA.

We know the landscape ahead will continue to evolve, and with it, both challenges and opportunities will arise. I am confident that MassNAELA is not only prepared to meet them, but to lead thoughtfully, compassionately, and effectively.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me. It is an honor to serve this extraordinary organization and to work alongside such dedicated, talented, and caring professionals. I look forward to a year of meaningful connection, shared purpose, and continued excellence in service to those who depend on us most.

March Message

In the last President’s Message, I shared that my guiding theme for this year is connection to our mission, to one another, and to the broader community we serve. As we move further into the year, I am already seeing that theme come to life in meaningful and tangible ways across MassNAELA.

Our organization has been busy. From well-attended educational programming to the continued growth of our committees and member engagement, it is clear that our strength lies in the willingness of our members to show up, participate, and contribute. These efforts are not just about professional development.  They are about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the collective expertise that defines MassNAELA.

We are also deepening our connections beyond our membership. Through outreach to law schools, collaboration with organizations serving older adults and individuals with disabilities, and the exciting progress toward launching our charitable initiative, we are expanding both our visibility and our impact. These efforts ensure that elder and disability law continue to grow as a field and that more individuals and families can benefit from the work we do.

Meanwhile, our advocacy efforts remain strong. We continue to engage with legislators, regulatory agencies, and coalition partners to advance policies that protect our clients and improve access to care. These conversations, whether around community care, powers of attorney, or broader systemic issues, are critical, and they are strengthened by the real-world experiences and insights of our members.

As we look ahead, there is still much to do. I encourage each of you to find a way to stay engaged, whether by attending a program, joining a committee, sharing your experiences to support our advocacy efforts, or simply reaching out to a colleague. Your voice and your participation matter, and they are what make this organization so strong.

Thank you for your continued dedication to MassNAELA and to the clients and communities we serve. I look forward to continuing this work together and to seeing our connections grow even stronger in the months ahead.

– Gina Barry, Esq., CELA