On
the practice of Elder and Disability Law -
"Our clients often come to us feeling overwhelmed by their concerns,
whether about impoverishing themselves in paying for a spouse's nursing
home placement, or ensuring the personal and financial protection of a
child with special needs after they are gone, or obtaining essential
disability benefits and health care services. These needs pose complex
issues. The law itself is complicated and government procedures and
bureaucracies seldom help. Also, we need to take into account sensitive
personal and family considerations, particularly involving the effort to
find a balance of autonomy and protection that is appropriate for the
particular client.
With seven lawyers and five paralegals concentrating on every aspect of
elder and disability law, trust administration and estate settlement,
our staff has the commitment, knowledge, depth and expertise to respond
quickly and effectively to even the most difficult situation. Being an
integral part of a full service firm, the second largest in Newton,
gives us the capacity to bring relevant expertise - in real estate,
domestic relations, creditor protection, or litigation, for example - to
bear on any elder and disability law issues. We are very willing to
work with a client's other financial, tax, accounting and care advisors,
to help the client forge a comprehensive response to his or her needs."
Practice areas
49 years
49 years
49 years
49 years
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MA | Active | 1972 | 12/02/2020 |
CT | Permanent Retirement | 1972 | 12/23/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Named among "Best Lawyers in America" in Elder Law, 2008-2011 | Woodward/White, Inc. | 2011 |
"MA Super Lawyer" in elder law & estate planning, 2004 - 2010 | As published in Boston Magazine | 2010 |
Scholar-Mentor Award | Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. | 2009 |
Among three "Boston Best Lawyers" in Elder Law | As published in Boston Globe Magazine | 2007 |
Among top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2006 and 2007 | As published in Boston Magazine | 2007 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Rosenberg, Freedman & Goldstein LLP | 1982 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Learning Prep School | Chairman, Board of Directors | 2011 - Present |
Boston Jewish Family & Children's Services | Board of Advocates | 2010 - Present |
The Arc of Massachusetts | Executive Advisory Council | 2009 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Life Course Perspectives on Adulthood and Old Age | Planning for Now and the Future: Social, Legal and Financial Concerns | 1994 |
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. ("MCLE") | Estate Planning for the Aged or Incapacitated Client in Massachusetts | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Boston College Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1972 |
Brandeis University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1969 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland | The Disability Rights Model and Guardianship: Mutually Exclusive or Compatible Models? | 2011 |
International Rett Syndrome Foundation 27th Annual Education and Awareness Conference | Special Needs Wills and Trusts | 2011 |
International Rett Syndrome Foundation 27th Annual Education and Awareness Conference | Transition to Adulthood and Community Programs | 2011 |
Hospice of the Good Shepherd Special Program | Intimate Conversations: A Panel presentation about end-of-life issues | 2011 |
Guest Talk, Boston University School of Social Work | Elder Law for Social Workers | 2011 |
Caring for Our Parents and Planning for Ourselves | The Business-End of Aging | 2011 |
---|---|---|
Annual Meeting, Massachusetts Gerontological Assocation | Let There Be Law: Empowering Aging Families | 2011 |
Alzheimer's Association In-Service Training | Elder Law Issues for Help-Line Volunteers | 2011 |
Alzheimer's Association "Map Through the Maze" | The Current Massachusetts Guardianship Law: What Elder Services Professionals Need to Know | 2011 |
Alzheimer's Association "Map Through the Maze" | Treatment Decisions at End-of-Life: Legal and Medical Considerations | 2011 |
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. "The Health Reform Law" | Implications for Elders and People with Disabilities | 2010 |
Map Through the Maze | Treatment Decisions at End-of-Life: Legal, Medical and Spiritual Considerations | 2010 |
Map Through the Maze | What Alzheimer's Professionals Need to Know about the New Massachusetts Guardianship Law | 2010 |
Alzheimers Education Series | Young-Onset Alzheimers: Legal and Financial Issues | 2010 |
Turning 22 | Legal and Benefits Issues for People with Severe Disabilities Turning 22 | 2009 |
New England Update | Special Needs Trusts | 2009 |
Estate Planning Update | The Use of Trusts in Elder and Disability Law | 2009 |
Caring for Our Parents | Legal and Financial Issues for Elders | 2009 |
Caring for Our Parents | End-of-Life Decision-Making | 2009 |
Robert Crabtree, Trusts Attorney on Apr 21, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've know Don for years as one of the most knowledgable, reliable and accessible practitioners in the Boston area in the fields of estate planning and probate work, elder law and disability law. He brings a sharp and always current understanding of the complex ins and outs of these fields to his clients along with practical good sense, creativity, wisdom and compassion.