Institute for Aging and Disability Law

The Institute for Aging and Disability Law focuses on topics of specific concern to older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Launched in September 1994, the institute provides innovative options for reforming existing laws and designing new ones to meet the needs of this increasing and diverse population. The program conducts research on aging and disability law issues and offers conferences, seminars, and training programs for policymakers, advocates for the elderly, older adults, families, and caregivers.

Read our Explainers

Our faculty and staff breakdown complex issues in aging and disability law.

Long-Term Care Legal Resources Library

The GLC and the Committee on Long Term Care Facility Reform of the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section have created a resource library offering legal resources and information for older adults, individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers.

Disability Law Series: Civil Rights and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

In the spring of 2023, the Government Law Center and the Institute for Aging and Disability Law hosted a series of virtual programs exploring critical issues related to the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities.

Image Credit: Disabled and Here

Video

Edgar & Margaret Sandman Fellowship

The Edgar ’46 & Margaret Sandman Fellowship in Aging and Health Law & Policy is the most prestigious fellowship awarded to an Albany Law School student. The Fellowship offers a generous stipend to one or two upper level Albany Law School students to research cutting-edge issues in aging or health law and policy.

Aging and Disability Law Courses

Civil Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Elder Law
Estate Planning I and II
Family Law
Financial Planning for the Elderly
Guardianship Practice
Retirement Planning and Health Care
Surrogate's Court Procedure
Trusts and Estates

Advisory Committee

Paul Kietzman, Esq., Chair
Of Counsel, Barclay Damon LLP

Rose Mary Bailly, Esq.
Special Consultant on Aging Law, Government Law Center

Michael Clark
State of New York, Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 3rd Department

Stephen B. Hanse, Esq.
President and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living

Danielle Holley, Esq.
O'Connell & Aronowitz

Kirsten E. Keefe
Senior Staff Attorney at the Empire Justice Center

Robert P. Mascali, Esq. (*Admitted in New York)
The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration

Alejandra N. Paulino '02
Secretary of the Senate, New York State Senate

Cassandra Rivais, J.D. M.S.
Clinical Ethics Fellow, Alden March Bioethics Institute, Albany Medical Center

Mary Scouten '21
Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC

Sheila Shea
Mental Hygiene Legal Service

Edward V. Wilcenski, Esq
Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC

Government Law Center