ELDER LAW OF EAST TENNESSEE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Intake Specialist

As Intake Specialist at ELET, Alyssa's role is to listen compassionately to new callers' stories and determine whether ELET's services may be appropriate for them. Coming from a background in speech-language pathology and direct customer service, Alyssa is an active listener who is sensitive to the needs of elders and the family members who support them. She is motivated to help them find solutions. During intake calls she listens to the details of the person's situation, asks about their goals, collects data about their medical and financial circumstances, and gets to know their values and priorities. She offers reassurance that ELET can serve as a resource to help them overcome the challenges they face. If the caller's needs are not within ELET's practice areas, or if the caller chooses not to schedule a consultation, Alyssa directs them to other resources in the community so that they can get help addressing their concerns. Education: University of Tennessee, BS in Audiology and Speech Pathology, 2019

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Founder
• Certified Elder Law Attorney

Amelia Crotwell, founder of Elder Law of East Tennessee, serves as the managing partner of the firm, guiding strategic planning and growth to help reach more families in East Tennessee. Amelia has helped families with long-term care and special needs challenges for almost 20 years. She practices primarily Life Care Planning and special needs trusts, but she also pitches in to collaborate with ELET attorneys, lending her experience on questions of elder law, wills and trusts, Medicare, Medicaid planning, trust administration, probate, and veterans benefits planning. She has been Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation since 2011 and is the president-elect of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association and a co-chair of their strategic planning committee. She also takes an active role as a member of the Special Needs Alliance, where she serves on their strategic planning committee. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and she was instrumental in starting the Tennessee chapter of NAELA and served as its first active President. She is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and past chair of the Elder Law Section Executive Council. She offers pro bono legal services through Legal Aid of East Tennessee, Inc., and through the Tennessee Family Justice Center. She takes an active role in the community teaching other lawyers about elder law topics and speaking to community groups. Amelia Crotwell earned her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Tennessee College of Law and since 2018, she enjoys teaching Elder Law as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Education: University of Tennessee, BA in English and Creative Writing, magna cum laude, 1990 University of Tennessee College of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence, summa cum laude, 1997 Awards and Certifications: Certified Elder Law Attorney credentialed through the National Elder Law Foundation

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Certified Elder Law Attorney

Attorney Bailey Schiermeyer assists elders, individuals with disabilities, and their families with planning for the legal and financial challenges of aging and long-term care situations. She advises clients about the best strategies for dealing with current crises and planning to avoid crisis situations in the future. As a solution-driven and empathetic person, Bailey is excited by the opportunity to meet clients' needs and help them reach desired outcomes. Her analytical skills and patience serve her well as she helps clients navigate unique challenges and achieve their goals. In addition to assisting clients with issues of aging and disability, she also handles estate administration or probate cases. In 2019, Bailey was awarded the ABA's "On the Rise- Top 40 Young Lawyers Award by the American Bar Association. This program provides national recognition of ABA Young Lawyers Division Members who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and service to the profession and their communities. Education: Tennessee Technological University, Bachelor of Science in Communications, 2011 Regent University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2014

Job Titles:

• Admin
• SUPPORT STAFF Member
• Paralegal
• Paralegal to Attorney Amelia Crotwell

Catherine is paralegal to Attorney Amelia Crotwell. She manages all of Amelia's cases and keeps track of each client's unique needs and planning strategies. She also assists Amelia in crafting customized legal documents to achieve clients' goals, prepares documents for signings, follows up with clients about changes they desire, and assists with in-office and offsite signings. Clients may call Catherine directly for assistance when they have questions about the work being completed on their behalf or when they need to schedule an appointment or phone call with Amelia. Catherine's many years of experience as a paralegal make her an effective and efficient problem-solver, and clients appreciate her warmth, compassion, and excellent sense of humor. Education: East Tennessee State University, B.S. in Criminal Justice, A.A.S. in Law Enforcement, Paralegal Certificate, 1992

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Executive Assistant
• Billing and Systems Specialist

Charles wears many hats at ELET, ranging from customer service in the front office to technical support with devices and systems. As the Executive Assistant, he works directly for Practice Manager Malinda Joshi, assisting with client billing, liaising with vendors, and tracking firm metrics. He helps implement strategies for office organization, sets up equipment for new employees, and assists with special projects ranging from marketing initiatives to building and grounds improvements. Charles also assists in the front office on a daily basis, greeting clients and answering and directing calls to the appropriate team member. He joined ELET in 2019, coming from a position in a small business in which he also worked in several diverse roles. His adaptability, technical mind, and enthusiasm for supporting his coworkers make him an important asset to the ELET team. Education: BA in Developmental Psychology, University of Tennessee, 2007

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Care Coordinator
• CCM Elder Care Coordinator

Care Coordinator Cindy Hutson guides clients and their families as they navigate the long-term care challenges of aging and disability. She completes in-home assessments, suggests changes to the home or alternate living arrangements to improve safety, coaches families through transitions to facility living, recommends ways to maximize happiness and independence, and attends care planning meetings for facility residents to ensure delivery of the best possible care. She also evaluates elders' eligibility for public benefits such as TennCare CHOICES and VA Aid and Attendance and works with the legal team to prepare successful applications. Cindy's contribution to the ELET team includes a wealth of medical and benefits knowledge and excellent client relations. She has a broad background as a Registered Nurse with experience in critical care, case management, and public benefits and has been a TennCare Certified Qualified Assessor since 2013. Cindy loves working with elders and their families, quickly establishes rapport with her clients, and enjoys building long-term relationships with the families she serves.

Job Titles:

• Admin

Dr. Michael Mailahn works with Elder Law of East Tennessee to provide Family Meeting Facilitation services for clients and their families facing difficult care-related decisions. He guides parties through stressful discussions, maintaining a respectful decorum to ensure all voices are heard and all ideas are considered. Michael has worked for the past 15 years for the State of Tennessee conducting complaint resolution, mediation, workplace harassment (Title VII) investigations, and conflict management trainings. Prior to his work with the state of Tennessee, Dr. Mailahn worked in a Chronic Pain Center as a Behavioral Medicine Counselor. There he performed Biofeedback, Relaxation, Imagery and Hypnotherapy sessions for patients wanting/needing to learn coping skills for managing their distress from longstanding pain and suffering. Dr. Mailahn is a big proponent of community outreach. As such, he has lent his services and expertise-with emphasis on the Access/Visitation and Victim/Offender meditations-to community mediation centers in Tennessee's Knox and Anderson counties. He has taught volunteer community mediators in Oak Ridge, TN. He has performed as an Ombudsman for for the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (ETHRA), providing oversight to Knoxville's Assisted Living centers. In addition, he has served as a Powerful Tools for Caregivers Master Trainer, a program designed for assisting families with the difficulties of caring for their elderly loved ones. He is a Certified Ombudsman, a Tennessee Supreme Court ADR Rule 31 Mediator, and a Master Trainer of the Powerful Tools for Caregivers (for Adults with Chronic Conditions and Children with Special Needs) course. Along with the care coordinators at Elder Law of East Tennessee, Dr. Mailahn also teaches the Powerful Tools for Caregivers course offered periodically to ELET clients. Education: University of Texas San Antonio, BS in Psychology, 1986 St. Mary's University, MS in Organizational Psychology, 1988 Parker Chiropractic College, Doctorate, 1997

Job Titles:

• Admin
• SUPPORT STAFF Member
• ELET 's Medicare Counselor
• ELET 's Relationship Manager
• Relationship Manager & Medicare Counselor
• Relationship Manager at ELET

Emma is ELET's Relationship Manager and Medicare Counselor. As Relationship Manager at ELET, Emma helps to build meaningful relationships with clients and community stakeholders. As part advocate, part marketer, and part process improvement specialist, Emma ensures that the ELET team consistently provides exceptional services with honesty, respect, and compassion. Emma reviews ELET's processes from a client's perspective and advocates for client's rights and interests. She considers ways in which delivery of services can improve, counsels the firm's leadership team, and manages the implementation of changes. Emma promptly addresses any concerns raised by clients regarding their services, ensuring that the ELET team learns valuable lessons from each experience and focuses on making sure clients are heard and understood. In addition to her focus on client experience, Emma engages with the community to build lasting relationships with groups, individuals, and organizations serving older adults, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. Emma shares information with the community about the value of ELET's services and conveys how the team can support their clients. In addition to her role as Relationship Manager, Emma also serves as ELET's Medicare Counselor. As Medicare Counselor, Emma guides Medicare beneficiaries and their families through the Medicare maze. Emma is trained through the Tennessee State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), as well as through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help clients understand how to get the most from their Medicare coverage. Emma is passionate about advocating for Medicare beneficiaries and provides reliable, unbiased assistance. With her knowledge and training on Medicare, Emma has helped ELET's clients save thousands of dollars on their prescription drug coverage. Her biggest goal is to help clients ensure they have the correct Medicare coverage to meet their needs. Emma is a Licensed Master Social Worker and comes from a background in the field of elder abuse services and grant management. Emma is sensitive to the unique needs of elders and the family members who support them. Her strong commitment to social work ethics such as dignity and worth of human beings, social justice, and the importance of human relationships guides the work she does and who she is as a person. Emma believes strongly in the idea of "people first" and understands the importance of building compassionate, supportive relationships with those we serve. Education: University of Maryland, MA in Social Work, 2017 University of Tennessee, BSSW in Social Work, 2014

Job Titles:

• Admin
• SUPPORT STAFF Member
• Evleth Public Benefits Manager
• Public Benefits Manager
• Public Benefits Specialist

As Public Benefits Manager, Hailey Michel-Evleth works closely with Life Care Planning clients and the legal team to gather financial documentation, determine eligibility and strategies, and file claims with TennCare and VA. As clients and their families collect the documentation for their applications or appeals, they can rely on Hailey to provide patient and caring support, to help them communicate with financial institutions, and to ensure that all deadlines are met. Hailey's previous work as a manager of a grocery rescue program required her to practice meticulous documentation, engage in strategic planning, and keep products and processes moving quickly - all skills which help her process her clients' applications efficiently. Her passion for serving others is reflected in her quality work and friendly service for ELET clients.

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Paralegal

Jana came to Elder Law of East Tennessee with a background in banking and executive legal support in the long-term care industry. These experiences prepared her well to assist her clients and Attorney Bailey Schiermeyer in implementing legal strategies related to clients' assets, public benefits, and long-term care. Her "inside knowledge" of the rules and regulations of the financial and long-term care industries benefits the ELET team and her clients. Jana tracks all of Bailey's cases from start to finish, prepares legal documents customized to the clients' unique needs and goals, communicates with clients about their legal planning, addresses their questions and concerns, liaisons with other professionals involved in cases, and assists with signings. Bailey's clients call Jana directly for updates about the work being done on their behalf or when they need to schedule followup meetings and calls with Bailey. Jana's organizational skills and professional experiences help her cut through chaotic situations and get to the heart of what needs to be done, while her genuine empathy and care for her clients enable her to relate to her clients and effectively advocate on their behalf. Education: University of Tennessee Martin, B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, 2018 Certification: Certificate in National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), pending program completion Spring 2019

Job Titles:

• Admin
• CCM Elder Care Coordinator Manager

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Certified Elder Law Attorney

Attorney Julia Price works closely with clients and families who are facing imminent care transitions and may be worried about how to find and pay for needed care. Because of her background in Medicaid and VA benefits, Julia is especially well equipped to assess Elder Law of East Tennessee clients' financial and care situation and determine how to obtain eligibility for benefits that will pay for care in a facility or at home. She stays on top of changes in the law, advocates for clients with benefits agencies, ensures that the necessary legal documents are in place to prepare for current and future decision-making, and finds ways to maximize assets so that the elder gets the best possible care in the most suitable location. Education: Agnes Scott College, Political Science & History, 2006 Tulane University Law School, Doctor of Jurisprudence, 2010

Job Titles:

• Admin
• CCM Elder Care Coordinator

Kyra Clements joined Elder Law of East Tennessee in July 2016 following an ELET internship from January through April 2016. As an Elder Care Coordinator, she helps clients and families manage the challenges of aging and disability. Kyra assesses clients' living situations, makes recommendations for ways to improve safety and quality of life, and guides families through sometimes difficult decisions to ensure that elders receive the best possible care. She provides support for family caregivers, attends care planning meetings for facility residents, and advocates for clients to ensure their needs are met. Kyra's career in social services started in the late 80s, when she worked with victims of sexual abuse, troubled teens, and individuals with mental illness. Following her father's diagnosis with dementia, she began to shift her career toward addressing the needs of aging adults. In 2011 she and her husband started their own business, Golden Age Technology, a company specializing in aging-in-place technology solutions. She is well-versed in using technology to help solve problems. Kyra completed a Geriatric Care Management certification program in 2016 and completed her MS in Gerontology in 2018. At Elder Law of East Tennessee she has found a place to combine her social service skills and training with her passion for serving elders and persons with disabilities. Education: University of South Florida, BA in Psychology, 1990 University of Florida, Certificate in Geriatric Care Management, 2016 University of Indianapolis, MS in Gerontology, summa cum laude, 2018

Job Titles:

• Elder

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Paralegal

Louisa serves as the point of contact and case manager for Attorney Julia Keck's clients, helping to get them the information and answers they need efficiently in often stressful and time-sensitive situations. Many of the clients she works with are in the midst of care transitions, addressing financial concerns, or other urgent and demanding situations. Louisa's two years of experience as the firm's Front Office Legal Secretary prepared her for the wide variety of circumstances her clients face. Her calm demeanor and exceptional organization enable her to efficiently address these clients' practical needs. She schedules calls and appointments, organizes documents and information, assists in implementing legal strategies, drafts vital legal documents, and relays information among the ELET team, the client, and other stakeholders - all with the warmth and compassion needed to calm nerves and help restore peace of mind. Education: Mount Holyoke College, B.A. in Astronomy and Dance, 2018 University of Tennessee Knoxville, M.S. in Geology, 2020

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Practice Manager

Malinda Joshi works behind the scenes at Elder Law of East Tennessee to maximize efficiency and ensure clients receive the best possible service in a timely manner. She administrates ELET's case management software, investigates IT solutions to streamline workflow, and develops office procedures. She also writes content for the ELET website and assists in developing marketing strategies and materials. Since 2011 Malinda has adapted to diverse roles as different needs within the firm have arisen and has handled projects such as graphic and interior design, event planning, newsletter and presentation writing, and overhauling filing systems. She also works in the reception room greeting clients and assisting with the paper traffic flow in the office. Education: Maryville College, Writing and Communication, summa cum laude, 2010

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Elder Law Attorney

Attorney Patricia "Patty" Crotwell is a nimble legal professional with 23 years of litigation, commercial, employment, and compliance experience in both corporate and private practice environments. She has done a little bit of everything, including running her own small retail business - life experiences that help her form connections with her clients at Elder Law of East Tennessee. In June 2019 she joined the team part-time as an Elder Law Attorney. At ELET she practices Estate Planning, drafts Medicaid and Social Security appeal briefs, manages Probate matters, and works with the leadership team to develop new service lines for the firm. Her versatility, tenacity, technical skill, and broad background of experiences and knowledge are tremendous assets to the firm and its clients. Patty is a skilled self-starter who educates herself quickly, asks the right questions, and works efficiently to get results for her clients. She communicates clearly with all kinds of people and problem solves effectively in a variety of situations. Patty works from her home in Colorado, but she is easily accessible to ELET clients by phone, email, and video conference. For matters that require in-person interactions, like court appearances, Patty collaborates with the other attorneys on the ELET team. The legal team at Elder Law of East Tennessee consists of four skilled elder law attorneys dedicated to providing compassionate guidance through the legal challenges of aging and disability.

Job Titles:

• Admin
• ELET 's Public Benefits Assistant
• Public Benefits Assistant

As ELET's Public Benefits Assistant, Rachel works closely with Public Benefits Specialist Hailey Michel-Evleth to help clients qualify and apply for public benefits such as TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program) and VA Aid and Attendance. Rachel assesses clients' resources, collects extensive documentation, researches old policies to determine their value, assembles benefits applications packets, and coaches clients through the process of gathering all the information they need to submit successful applications. Often, she is doing all of this under tight time constraints because of clients' urgent needs to qualify for the programs that will pay for their care. Rachel's analytical and organized nature make her well-suited to the technical challenges of this position. But beyond that, her compassion for her clients helps soothe frayed nerves so that they can get back to focusing on their families, work, hobbies, and other things that are important to them. Education: University of Tennessee, B.A in psychology and global studies, summa cum laude, 2022

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Legal Assistant
• SUPPORT STAFF Member

Stephanie joined Elder Law of East Tennessee in 2021 and is the firm's Legal Assistant, providing direct support to all the Paralegals on our team. With prior experience in the New Hampshire court system, exceptional organizational skills, and close attention to detail, Stephanie has always been well positioned to ensure our clients' legal documents are executed accurately, recorded as needed with the proper government offices, and delivered to our clients in a tidy package. Stephanie often liaises with courts to obtain needed information and expedite clients' work; sends letters to clients on behalf of ELET Attorneys and Paralegals; and calls clients to obtain information or deliver updates about their work. Her eagerness to support others and her fantastic sense of humor make her a joy to work with, both for clients and for fellow ELET staff. Education: New England College, Bachelor's degree in Political Science, May 2015

Job Titles:

• Admin
• Assistant
• Practice Manager

As Assistant Practice Manager, Victoria handles a variety of tasks behind the scenes that help Elder Law of East Tennessee operate smoothly. She develops staff policies and procedures, assists with hiring and onboarding new staff, manages travel arrangements, supports continued staff education and attorney certifications, assists with scheduling appointments at our Johnson City office, and everything in between. No matter what task she's working on, Victoria always keeps excellent client service at the heart of everything she does. Education: University of Southern Indiana, B.S. in Psychology, 2016