We are pleased to share that Keith Stevens, attorney at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in Columbus, Ohio, is recognized by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) as an official Certified Elder Law Attorney®. NELF has certified attorneys for over 25 years and is the only elder law certification accredited by the American Bar Association. Keith is now one of 38 CELAs in Ohio and 600 nationwide. Having obtained the CELA certification, Keith is eligible to be dual certified as a Specialist in Elder Law by the Ohio State Bar Association as of January 2023.
To recognize an attorney as a CELA, NELF requires at least five years of experience, dedication of a substantial portion of practice in the area, and a showing of expertise via both case history and an exhaustive and wide-ranging exam. The day-long test covers topics like Medicaid, estate planning, Social Security, financial instruments, tax planning, senior housing options, disability benefits, health insurance, veteran’s benefits, ethics, and Medicare. On top of that, the attorney must complete more continuing education than otherwise required by Ohio, be in good standing in all jurisdictions in which they are admitted, and receive recommendations from at least five other unaffiliated attorneys who practice in elder law-related areas. An attorney with the CELA designation must recertify every five years.
Keith has practiced elder law for 11 years and focuses on special needs planning, veteran, and senior protection. He represents individuals and business owners looking to protect their assets upon retirement, executors, and trustees with respect to the administration of estates and trusts, families in minor settlement and wrongful death cases, and navigates families through complex probate litigation matters.
Keith received his bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007 with minors in Asian Studies and German. Keith received his law degree (J.D.) from Capital University Law School in 2011, where he was a member of the Moot Court and Law Review. He has been a resident of Delaware for ten years with his wife, three daughters, and a small menagerie of dogs, cats, and ducks.
