What Our Members Say

"No practice development program I have been associated with in my elder law practice has excited me as much as the new ElderCounsel initiative."

Wayne M. Walston
Beers, Mallers, Backs & Salin, LLP

"ElderCounsel has helped me take my practice to the next level."

Miles Zatkowsky, Attorney at Law
Dutcher & Zatkowsky

"It was, truly, one of the GREATEST events I have ever attended."

Heinz Brisske, Attorney at Law
Huck & Brisske, LLC

"Medicaid Immersion and Practice-Building Camp

"I wanted to tell you how much the Medicaid Immersion Camp meant to me.""

Robert C. Whitt, Esq.

"The ElderCounsel drafting software is phenomenal!"

Tammy Conover, Esq.
Bendelow Law Firm, P.C.

"ElderCounsel carries forward the drafting system excellence of its sister organization, WealthCounsel. However, ElderCounsel"

Jan Lord
The Law Office of C. Jan Lord

"Although I have 8 years of experience with Medicaid planning, I went to the Camp and brought two of my staff with me."

Robert McClelland, Attorney at Law
McClelland & Associates, PLLC

"I wanted to thank Brian again for coming to my rescue in the wee hours of Sunday morning."

Cynthia Mead
The Mead Law Firm, LLC

"For the past 17 years, my marketing firm has helped elder law attorneys grow their practices.  I would never allow one of my clients to enter the field of elder law without joining ElderCounsel."

Mark Merenda, President
Smart Marketing

"I have to tell you thank you! I got a referral from a financial planner who has had some bad experiences with his clients’ trusts when it comes to modification and trustee removal issues."

Stephanie Edwards
Edwards Elder Law, P.A.

"Medi-Cal Planning from A-Z

This was one of the best continuing education courses I've attended in years."

Thea Eliot, Attorney at Law
Thea Law, P.C.

"I learned more in the past 2 days than I have ever learned at any other seminar in my eleven years of practicing. Each course I attend with ElderCounsel exceeds my expectations"

James J. Mullen, Esquire

"I'm a solo practitioner, so efficiency and value are crucial. I am a member of ElderCounsel because they provide both efficiency and value. "

Ryan N. Morey
Morey Law, P.C.

"ElderCounsel has it all: a state-of-the-art document assembly system, outstanding education and support, and a team of experts in the field who don’t hesitate to help any member."

Donald W. Mustico, CPA/Esq.
Law Office of Donald W. Mustico

"Just a quick note to tell you how informative and practical the webinar on "How to Draft a Veterans Asset Protection Letter" was to me as a new member of ElderCounsel."

Michael Andrews
Bleecker, Broday & Andrews

"This was the first ElderCounsel seminar I've attended and it was awesome. Steve, Val and Marty were absolutely fantastic!"

Christopher J. Berry
Attorney at Law

"ElderCounsel delivers what it promises: top educators who practice what they teach, camaraderie with other practitioners and tools to immediately take back to the office and implement."

Teresa Nuccio, Attorney at Law
Teresa Nuccio, P.C.

"I learned more from Val, Marty, and Steve in this three days than in the last ten years of CLEs I've attended - and it was practical learning, so I'll actually be able to use it!"

Libby King, Attorney at Law
Tate Moerer & King, LLP

"For members that are fairly new to elder law/medicaid planning this course is a must. Even the more seasoned attorney will get some incredibly valuable information and ideas from the class."

Lance D. Like, Attorney at Law
Like Law Group, LLC

"As a newbie to this whole process I can attest this course is a must if you want to practice in this area.It was alot of fun and I learned more..."

Tom Henry, Attorney at Law
The Elder Law & Soc. Sec Disability Law Center

"I am just starting out in my own elder law practice and two of the BEST decisions that I have made to date are joining ElderCounsel and attending the conference."

Stephen C. Jones
Stephen C. Jones & Associates, LLC

More Testimonials
Benefits of Membership
  • Access to ElderDocx®, our document drafting system
  • Online tutorials & drafting webinars
  • Regular updates to ElderDocx

    • View full list of benefits
    2013 Planning for the Generations Symposium
    July 24-26, Denver, CO
    Early Bird Deadline April 30
    Register Now

    Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Click here.

    Management Team

    Valerie L. Peterson, JD
    Executive Director
      Valerie joined ElderCounsel in January of 2008 and serves as Executive Director. Prior to joining ElderCounsel, Valerie was a practicing elder law attorney in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami and the owner of Peterson Law Office, P.A. Valerie was a litigator for several years after law school, but decided to focus her practice on elder law after she experienced firsthand the challenges of caring for an elderly loved one.

    Valerie is a frequent speaker both locally and nationwide on topics pertaining to elder law, special needs planning and veterans aid and attendance benefits.

    Valerie attended Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas where she received the Order of Barristers award for excellence in courtroom advocacy.

    Prior to joining ElderCounsel, Valerie served as President of the Society of Financial Service Providers, Dade County, Florida, and she served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Valerie is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; WealthCounsel, and WealthCounsel Advisors Forum. Valerie is licensed to practice in Florida and Kansas.

    For questions about ElderCounsel, you can reach Valerie at 888-789-9908 x581, or via email at valerie.peterson@eldercounsel.com.

    Brian F. Albee, JD
    Director of Technology     
      Brian joined ElderCounsel in February of 2008 and serves as Director of Technology.  Prior to joining ElderCounsel, Brian was the Director of Technology for WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel's sister company.  Brian practiced estate planning law in California for several years before joining WealthCounsel.  He has a keen interest in HotDocs development and helping members make the most of the software.

    Brian's primary role with ElderCounsel is the creation and maintenance of ElderDocx®, ElderCounsel's elder law document drafting system, as well as website and other technology management for ElderCounsel.

    Brian attended Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, California, where he served as a Law Review associate editor. Brian lives in Verona, Wisconsin, with his wife, four children, mother-in-law, and two dogs.

    Brian can be reached at 888-789-9908, extension 582, or via email at brian.albee@eldercounsel.com. 

    John F. Shickich, JD
    Director of Member Recruitment
      John joined ElderCounsel in May 2009 and serves as its Director of Member Recruitment. Prior to joining ElderCounsel, he was a skilled franchise lawyer and business developer.

    John attended the University of Oregon, School of Law and also has a double major from the University of Puget Sound and a Certificate in International Business from Nijenrode, The
    Netherlands School of Business. He has been licensed to practice law in Oregon since 1987. 

    While John is a franchise expert, as he states, "I am looking for a career transition where the effects of my efforts will bring positive results to needing individuals." ElderCounsel is privileged to have a person of John's caliber leading its recruitment team.

    For questions about ElderCounsel membership, you can reach John at 888-789-9908 ext. 585 (toll free), 541-485-1567 (direct) or via email at john.shickich@eldercounsel.com.

    Lisa Evans
    Director of Member Services
    Lisa joined ElderCounsel in March 2009 and serves as Director of Member Services. She comes to ElderCounsel with eight years of banking and five years of medical experience.  She graduated in1995 with a degree in Nursing.  Lisa's other areas of expertise include personnel supervision, business office management and project coordination.  Lisa has attended various training events, continuing education, and skills development seminars.

    Lisa and her husband live in Brandon, FL where Lisa serves at Bell Baptist Church in the Adult Ministry alongside her husband and Bible Fellowship Teachers.  Lisa also volunteers for several community outreach events and has participated in mission trips to Brazil and Central Asia.  Lisa has a daughter who has graduated from University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.

    For questions about ElderCounsel, you can reach Lisa Evans at 888-789-9908 x584, or via email at lisa.evans@eldercounsel.com. 

    Audrey Ehrhardt
    Director of Office Management Systems
    Audrey joined ElderCounsel in 2013 and serves as Director of Office Management Systems. Prior to joining ElderCounsel, Audrey was a practicing elder law attorney in several counties in the Tampa Bay area and the owner of The Ehrhardt Elder Law Offices, P.A. Audrey focused her practice on creating a dedicated, compassionate environment where seniors and their loved ones knew a team supported them when making important elder law decisions.

    As the Director of Office Management Systems, Audrey wants to bring successful, efficient systems to every law office.  "Successful law practices are busy places," she states. "I want to help members unlock their ultimate potential with efficient, streamlines office management systems that can increase the productivity and profitability of their law practice."

    Audrey attended The Florida State University College of Law and was a member of the mock trial team.  In 2012 she moved to Tallahassee with her husband, son and four dogs.  Audrey is licensed to practice law in Florida.

    For questions about Office Management Systems, you can reach Audrey at 888-789-9908 x592, or via email at Audrey.ehrhardt@eldecounsel.com