Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Elizabeth has demonstrated her expertise in elder law and special needs law for nearly 20 years. Elizabeth focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, guardianships, and the administration of estates. She provides experience, compassion and a meticulous attention to details in all of her work. This includes the drafting of trusts (including special needs trusts, pet trusts, trusts to minimize income taxes and capital gains), wills, powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney (also known as advance medical directives), and other succession planning documents. Elizabeth has the experience to find solutions to each client’s individual needs rather than simply using forms or other “boiler plate” materials. She has developed a reputation among her peers in the legal community as the “go to” person in the areas of elder law and special needs planning.
In addition, Elizabeth is a member of the Special Needs Alliance – an invitation-only nationwide attorney organization. She is a Past-President and the 2011 recipient of the “Outstanding Member” award of the Virginia chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); a member of NAELA’s invitation-only Council of Advanced Practitioners; and former co-chair of three different sections of the Fairfax County Bar Association. She is a current member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and sits on the Board of Directors of Brain Injury Services.
Her other accolades include: AV® Preeminent™ ranking by Martindale-Hubbell and a “Superb” rating on AVVO. Elizabeth has been listed in Best Lawyers of America each year since 2012, an honor given to only 5% of attorneys; a recipient of the Influential Women of Virginia class of 2012; a SuperLawyer in Elder Law for Virginia and Washington, D.C. each year since 2009. Named in Washingtonian Magazine among the top elder law attorneys in the Washington, D.C. area since 2009; and listed in Northern Virginia Magazine among the top elder law attorneys in the Northern Virginia area since 2011. Additionally, in 2015 Elizabeth was recognized by her legal peers as “Lawyer of the Year” in Elder Law for Metropolitan DC in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Lawyers – 2015” guide.
The award she is most proud of is the “Legal Assistance Distinguished Service Award” from the American Bar Association for helping victims of the September 11 attacks.
Quoted in such publications as MSN Money and The Washington Post, Elizabeth provides frequent educational seminars for the public and helps fellow attorneys hone their skills by teaching Continuing Legal Education classes (CLE).
Elizabeth Gray has been practicing law since 1996. She is a member of the bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Rather than going to a typical law school, Liz is a Virginia “law reader.” Under the law reader program, the student apprentices with an attorney under the guidelines issued by the Virginia Supreme Court and at the end of the program the student is eligible to take the Virginia Bar Examination. This unique way of obtaining her legal education has given her a down to earth attitude and an approachable style.
When she is not working, you can find Elizabeth watching her teenage son play soccer, reading, jogging, or just spending time with her family – her son, husband, and their beloved Weimaraner, Casper. A little-known fact: Elizabeth is a former professional violinist, having played with the Binghamton Symphony Orchestra and the Binghamton Pops.
Practice areas
Special Needs Planning, Long-term Care Planning & Medicaid Planning.
26 years
Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, Settlement Preservation Trusts, Durable General Powers of Attorney, Advance Medical Directives, HIPAA Authorizations, Living Wills
26 years
Guardian and Conservator Petitions
26 years
Revocable Living Trust, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, Settlement Preservation Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts
26 years
Probate Administration, Administration of Estates
Last Will & Testament
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
VA | Authorized to Practice Law | 1996 | 07/02/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Legal Elite | Virginia Business Magazine | 2016 |
Influential Women of Virginia | Virginia Lawyers Weekly | 2012 |
Top Lawyers | Northern Virginia Magazine | 2011 |
Outstanding Virginia Chapter Member | National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | 2011 |
AV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
Top Lawyer | Washingtonian Magazine | 2010 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2009 |
President's Award | Fairfax Bar Association | 2006 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Principal | Law Offices of Elizabeth L. Gray, PLLC | 2015 - 2017 |
Partner | Matsen, Miller, Cossa & Gray | 2012 - 2015 |
Partner | Cossa, Gray & O'reilly, PLC | 2007 - 2012 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Council of Advanced Practitioners | 2011 - Present |
Special Needs Alliance | 2010 - Present | |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | 1999 - Present | |
Fairfax Bar Association | Attorney Member | 1996 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Virginia chapter) | Past President | 2010 - 2011 |
Fairfax Bar Association, Wills, Trusts and Estates Section | Co-chair | 2009 - 2011 |
Fairfax Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Co-chair | 2007 - 2009 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Special Needs Alliance - The Voice | Qualified Disability Trusts | 2012 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
State University of New York, Binghamton | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1986 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Strafford Webinars | Special Needs Trusts for the Elderly and Disabled | 2017 |
Strafford Webinars | Structuring Special Needs Trusts as IRA Beneficiaries: Avoiding Tax Traps in Funding SNTs with Retirement Accounts | 2017 |
UnProgram 2017 | Fairness in Medicaid Special Needs Trusts and Planning with ABLE Accounts | 2017 |
Virginia CLE | Understanding the ABLE Act | 2017 |
Virginia CLE | Elder Law Basics 2017 | 2017 |
Posted by Kim
June 30, 2015
Posted by Jocelyn
September 25, 2013
Michael Fowler, Elder law Attorney on Apr 24, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Elizabeth is a superb lawyer who knows her stuff and cares about her clients
Jane Fearn-Zimmer, Elder law Attorney on Apr 2, 2015
Relationship: Friend
I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Elizabeth is both very knowledgeable and technically proficient, and also very warm and compassionate. She will not disappoint you.
Ross Hart, Elder law Attorney on Oct 27, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Not only does she do great things for her clients, but she freely collaborates with other lawyers helping us improve our skills and service to clients.
C Welty, Elder law Attorney on Jun 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Elizabeth and her partners in McLean are the "go-to" attorneys for elder law matters in Fairfax.
Robert Haley, Elder law Attorney on Apr 9, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Jeffrey Romanick, Elder law Attorney on Mar 19, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Evan Farr, Elder law Attorney on Feb 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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