Jake Mason of Gallatin, Tennessee received the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) certification in August of 2020 by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) - the only organization approved by the American Bar Association to offer certification in the area of Elder Law.
Certification in Elder Law - one of the fastest growing fields in the legal profession - will provide a measure of assurance to the public that the attorney has an in-depth working knowledge of the legal issues that impact the elderly. Mason is one of only 15 attorneys in Tennessee to receive this certification.
“Becoming a Certified Elder Law Attorney has taken years of rigorous work and focus on issues affecting our elderly and special needs families” states Mason. “I am ecstatic to have completed my certification and look forward to serving our community even more.”
Jake Mason hails from Philpot, Kentucky, a community of Daviess County, famous for Moonlite Bar-B-Q, named the “Best BBQ in Kentucky” by Southern Living. He is the Owner of Mason & Associates, formerly known as Heritage Law Group, in Gallatin, Tennessee. Jake was a National Merit Finalist in high school and also earned a full tuition football scholarship to Vanderbilt University in 1999. Mason graduated cum laude from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics (Economics major) with Departmental Honors in 2003, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with Departmental Honors in 2010. He received a full-tuition scholarship from Washington & Lee University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2007. He became a licensed attorney in Kentucky in 2007, and in Tennessee in 2012, practicing in both states. He became an Accredited Attorney with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in 2016. Jake earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Elder Law and Estate Planning from Western New England University School of Law in 2018. He received board-certification as an Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) in 2019 by The Estate Law Specialist Board, Inc., an American Bar Association accredited organization, subsidiary of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.
Jake resides in Gallatin, Tennessee, with his wife, local Neurologist Megan Mason MD, and their two daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, competing in RAGNAR races, and coaching his daughter’s soccer team.
In addition to continuing his own education, Jake dedicates himself to the community by volunteering and serving on the Sumner County Museum Board of Directors and hosting educational events, such as the annual Elder Care Expo and Wills For Heroes. He practices law in the areas of Business Planning, Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Probate.
What Is Elder Law*?
Elder Law is the legal practice of counseling and representing older persons and persons with special needs, their representatives about the legal aspects of health and long-term care planning, public benefits, surrogate decision-making, legal capacity, the conservation, disposition and administration of estates and the implementation of their decisions concerning such matters, giving due consideration to the applicable tax consequences of the action, or the need for more sophisticated tax expertise.
In addition, attorneys certified in elder law must be capable of recognizing issues of concern that arise during counseling and representation of older persons and persons with special needs, or their representatives, with respect to abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the older person, insurance, housing, long-term care, employment, and retirement. The certified elder law attorney (CELA®) must also be familiar with professional and non-legal resources and services publicly and privately available to meet the needs of the older persons and persons with special needs, and be capable of recognizing the professional conduct and ethical issues that arise during representation. All the experience, task and examination requirements relate to these areas of law.
What Is A Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)*?
The Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) certification by National Elder Law Foundation has frequently been referred to as “the gold standard” for elder law and special needs practitioners. This reflects the hard work and proof required before an attorney can proudly proclaim that he or she holds the valued designation. Preparation for a CELA designation includes several steps and several different types of qualification, all of which are designed to assure that clients receive good legal care. Before being certified, an applicant must have practiced law for a least five years with a focus on Elder Law or Special Needs, have handled a certain number of cases in Elder Law, have taken 45 hours of continuing legal education in a certain amount of time, undergo an exam, and receive references from peers in the industry. There are only approximately 500 CELAs in the country.
(*Reference National Elder Law Foundation)
About the Company:
Mason & Associates, formerly known as Heritage Law Group, PLLC, is a boutique Estate Planning and Elder Law firm assisting residents in Tennessee and Kentucky, with offices in Gallatin and Nashville, Tennessee. We are dedicated to providing client-centered, professional legal services that are individualized through one-on-one consultations. We delight in empowering our clients and community through education and providing specialized resources. Our integrity-driven team will help you protect your legacy while delivering outstanding quality at a reasonable cost. Your Legacy Is Our Priority™
Jake Mason, J.D., LL.M. (Elder Law & Estate Planning), CELA, EPLS, is the Owner of Mason & Associates Law Firm in Gallatin, Tennessee. He is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney with the National Elder Law Foundation, is board-certified in Estate Planning and Probate by The Estate Law Specialist Board, Inc., of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, is accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and is licensed in Kentucky and Tennessee. Mason is the only attorney in Tennessee or Kentucky with Board-Certifications in both Elder Law & Estate Planning. Contact us to schedule a consultation via phone, in-office, or video conference at info@planyourlegacy.com or Gallatin (615) 989-7054 | Nashville (615) 619-2791.