Melissa Kallio has become a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation
By Dutton Casey Mesoloras
Dutton Casey & Mesoloras is pleased to announce that Melissa Kallio has become a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). NELF is the only organization approved by the American Bar Association to offer certification in the area of elder law. Melissa successfully completed NELF’s certification examination, passed a rigorous application process, and has been recognized and recommendation by her peers and colleagues. Congratulations on becoming a CELA, Melissa!
Certification in elder law – one of the fastest growing fields in the legal profession –provides a measure of assurance to the public that the attorney has an in-depth working knowledge of the legal issues that impact older adults. The pass rate on the CELA examination is low and only a few attorneys licensed to practice in Illinois are CELAs. Melissa is now one of those few attorneys.
Melissa, who earned her Juris Doctor from the UIC John Marshall Law School with a Certificate in Elder Law, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Northern Michigan University, concentrates her practice in elder law, which includes Medicaid planning and applications, estate and special needs planning, guardianship, trust and probate administration, estate planning, and litigation for vulnerable adults against abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Melissa also serves as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and counsel for Respondents in guardianship estates.
She is a member of the National and Illinois Chapter of Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, National and Illinois Chapter, Chicago Bar Association, and serves as Court appointed pro bono Guardian ad Litem (GAL) through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, is a member of a M-Team, a multidisciplinary team focusing on combating abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults on the north side of Chicago, Board Member, Veterans’ Legal Aid Society, Board Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Illinois Chapter, and Chair, Elder Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association, 2020-2021.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys travelling, playing and watching sports, hiking, and spending time at her family’s camp on Twin Lakes in Upper Michigan. She resides in Chicago with her husband, Dan, and their 4 cats – Izzy, Bitsy, Iris, and Leo.
Melissa states, “I became an attorney because I wanted to work with people and have a positive impact on their lives. Nowhere is this more apparent and rewarding than in the field of Elder Law. My clients’ goals become my goals, and I enjoy working with them every step of the way to accomplish peace of mind.”
Melissa Kallio
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