In August, Deb Slezak will be a panelist for the Medicaid Interactive Session at the NYSBA Elder Law summer meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Deb, along with Michael Amoruso, Esq. and Judy Grimaldi, Esq. from downstate will be raising questions to the attendees regarding complex issues in Medicaid planning.

Michelle Wildgrube will be speaking at the New York State Bar Association Real Property Committee Meeting in July, 2010. Her presentation at the summer meeting will cover the popular topic of Case Law Update, a topic that was well received by attorneys at the Schenectady County Bar Association’s Real Property CLE on May 13, 2010, where Michelle and Peter Coffey delivered the 2-hour discussion.

On Tuesday, June 15, Michelle Wildgrube conducted training for new attorneys through The Legal Project’s Affordable Housing Attorney Assistance Program. The Program’s initiative is to help first time homebuyers who cannot afford an attorney to understand the documents they are signing and the grants, loans and other assistance they may be eligible for.

Michelle Wildgrube has been named an initial director of the Disability Education Forum of New York, Inc., a Not-for-Profit corporation. The purpose of the corporation is to increase awareness of people with disabilities by conducting seminars at schools and universities, working with businesses to encourage employment and develop workshops. 

Deb Slezak was a presenter at the June 11, 2010 New York State Bar Association CLE titled “Advanced Document Drafting for the Elder Law Practitioner.” Deb spoke on the topic of Drafting Wills and Revocable Trusts.

On March 24, 2010, Michelle Wildgrube attended the Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition's dinner honoring those organizations in the community who aid and encourage Tobacco Free. As President of The Legal Project, Michelle and Executive Director Lisa Frisch accepted their award for outstanding support. In a related matter, Michelle will speak at the Rip VanWinkle Tobacco Free Coalition informational program in Hudson on April 29, 2010. She will discuss the legal issues involved with the smoking policies in rental properties. (Photos by: JoanHeffler.com.)

On March 19, 2010, Deb Slezak and Ann Sharpe presented at the Schenectady County Bar Association's 13th Annual Elder Law Seminar. The seminar was attended by 72 area attorneys who heard Deb speak on the topic of Medicaid Planning Techniques and Ann on the duties, details and deadlines of Estate Administration. Deb and Ann both serve on the Elder Law Committee.

Cris Cioffi has been invited to be a speaker at a national conference hosted by Union Graduate College on August 2, 2010. The conference is entitled "Women, Management and Leadership: Organizational Practices and Individual Strategies for Women". This conference will bridge academic research with organizational practices in the area of women and leadership.

Deb Slezak was sworn in as Town Justice of the Town of Amsterdam on January 3, 2010. The swearing in ceremony was held at the town board's organizational meeting, where Deb was honored with a plaque for her dedication as the Town Attorney for 13 years.

Michelle Wildgrube will be attending the New York State Bar Association's annual meeting the week of January 25th in New York City. While in NYC she will also attend the Real Property Executive Committee meeting.

Michelle Wildgrube will be speaking on “Challenging your Real Estate Tax Assessment Lunchbox Luncheon, sponsored by KeyBank in March 2010.