Norris McLaughlin Welcomes Elder Law Group

The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to welcome Shana Siegel, as a Member of the firm’s Elder Law Group. Siegel, along with her team, Lori Kayne, Geriatric Social Worker, and Laura Ocskay, Medicaid Specialist, join Norris McLaughlin from WanderPolo & Siegel. Siegel will be based out of the firm’s Bridgewater office, but will also be available at 28 Valley Road, Suite 1, Montclair, NJ, 07042, to continue serving her clients in that area.

“As the chapter of WanderPolo & Siegel comes to a close, I am excited to be bringing my innovative elder law and life care planning practice to Norris McLaughlin. This will be the best of both worlds for my clients as they will continue to receive the same level of personal attention they have come to expect, and I will also have the resources at Norris to better serve the full range of my clients' needs,” said Siegel.

Siegel concentrates her practice in the area of Elder Law, focusing on representing seniors, individuals with special needs, and their families in connection with life care planning, public benefits, trust and estate planning, and long-term care advocacy. As one of the few Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in northern New Jersey to be certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Shana has extensive experience in probate and estate administration, asset preservation, supplemental and special needs trusts, planning for disability, guardianship and estate litigation, resident rights, health care decision making, Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance appeals.

Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, Siegel was with WanderPolo & Siegel for over 10 years, five of which were as principal.  She has been involved in health and long-term care issues for over 25 years. She is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), where she regularly met with legislators and government officials on behalf of the elder law bar and their clients. In 2015, she was invited to join NAELA’s prestigious Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP).

Siegel earned her J.D. in 1994 from Georgetown University, honors, and her B.A. from Barnard College, honors, in 1989. She is a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, the State Bar Elder Law Section, the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, and the Bergen and Essex County Bar Associations.

"Shana’s practice will compliment and expand our Estate Planning & Administration practice, as elder care has become a big industry topic with the Baby Boomer generation. Shana has the client focus we value here at Norris McLaughlin, and we are pleased to welcome her and her team to the firm," said John N. Vanarthos, Chairman of Norris McLaughlin, P.A.

Kayne has been working in the healthcare field for over 20 years. In collaboration with client’s attorneys, she conducts Geriatric Assessments and develops detailed Life Care Plans to address any care, legal, or financial issues the client may have.

Prior to joining the firm, Kayne was an Elder Care Coordinator at WanderPolo & Siegel. Kayne earned her M.S.S. from Bryn Mawr College in 1983, and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Bucknell University. She holds a Certificate in Elder Care from Stockton University, and a Certificate of Gerontology from Rutgers University.

Ocskay specializes in preparing Medicaid applications, and acts as a coordinator and liaison between the attorney, client, and caseworker with regard to the Medicaid application process to ensure compliance with Medicaid rules and regulations. Prior to joining the firm, Ocskay served as a Medicaid Specialist at WanderPolo & Siegel. Before that, she was as a legal assistant for 12 years. She received her B.A. from Notre Dame College.