Neal Winston Elected President of Special Needs Alliance

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Nov 10, 2010, 08:00 ET

TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts attorney, Neal A. Winston, CELA, has been elected president of the Special Needs Alliance (SNA), the organization announced this week. He succeeds president Bridget O'Brien Swartz, CELA, the Arizona attorney who served in the position since October of 2009.

As president, Winston will continue to advocate for the special needs community by advancing the public policy work of the SNA and by strengthening relationships with partner organizations like the Autism Society of America (ASA), ARC and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

"We have established a membership of some of the best, most well respected special needs attorneys in the country and believe that a great opportunity exists to impart that expertise to the public by collaborating with other special needs support organizations," said Winston.

This past year, the SNA has continued to assert its voice on the national stage, participating in the recent National Summit on Disability Policy in Washington, D.C. and helping to translate the implications of the new healthcare reform act for those with disabilities.

"The members of the SNA are deeply passionate about supporting those in this country living with disabilities," said Winston. "Advocating for this large group of people and helping them to achieve financial independence is a calling for us. It is the reason that we entered the field."

Winston is a partner in the Massachusetts law firm Moschella & Winston, LLP, which specializes in estate and disability planning, asset protection, and public benefits eligibility. His passion for advocacy dates back to the early 1970s when, as part of Volunteers in Service to America (now AmeriCorps), he was assigned to a Legal Aid office. Having practiced public benefits law for over 30 years, Winston is a nationally recognized expert on special needs trusts and needs-based public benefit programs and is active in legislative issues affecting disabled and elder citizens on a state and federal level.

In addition to his role with the SNA, he is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and has been certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. He serves on the public policy committee of NAELA and is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives and the American Bar Association Social Security Committee. Winston is a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and the American Association of Justice, and he is past president of the Massachusetts Chapter of NAELA.

The SNA Board of Directors also saw changes during the organization's fall meeting. Ohio attorney Janet Lowder, CELA, was chosen president-elect. Pi-Yi Mayo, CELA, of Texas was elected vice president, Bradley Frigon, CELA, of Colorado will continue on as treasurer, and Marielle Hazen, CELA, was elected secretary. The 2010/2011 Board of Directors roster also includes Rick Courtney, CELA, of Mississippi, Stephen Dale, Esq., of California, Robert Fechtman, CELA, of Indiana, Barbara Isenhour, Esq., of Washington, Brian Rubin, Esq., of Illinois, Dennis Voorhees, CELA, of Idaho and Jeff Yussman, Esq. of Kentucky.

About the Special Needs Alliance

The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national, not for profit organization of attorneys dedicated to the practice of disability and public benefits law. Individuals with disabilities, their families and their advisors rely on the SNA to connect them with nearby attorneys who focus their practices in the disability law arena. SNA membership is based on a combination of relevant legal experience in the disability and elder law fields, direct family experience with disability, active participation with national, state and local disability advocacy organizations, and professional reputation. The majority have been certified as Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) by the National Elder Law Foundation, the certifying entity for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

For more information about the Special Needs Alliance, or to locate a member attorney in your area, visit www.specialneedsalliance.org or call 1-877-572-8472.