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Membership

Join NAELA

Thank you for your interest in joining NAELA. Membership runs on the calendar year from January through December. Start your application today and become part of the leading community of elder law and special needs attorneys in Illinois.

Join Now Membership Application

You’ll be redirected to NAELA to complete your membership.

Benefits of Joining

What your membership unlocks

  • Free subscription to eBulletin (weekly), NAELA News (bimonthly), and NAELA Journal (biannual) with legal updates and substantive articles.
  • Advocacy Updates and timely Advocacy Alerts on issues impacting the elder and special needs law community.
  • Inclusion in NAELA’s Find An Attorney consumer directory — viewed over 10,000 times a month.
  • Instant connection to over 4,500 NAELA members nationwide through the national listserv.
  • Opportunities to attend exclusive networking and education events.
  • Membership in NAELA Sections and Chapters that keep you current on areas of practice that matter to you.
  • The right to display the NAELA Member logo proudly on your firm’s materials.
  • Access to the comprehensive NAELA Knowledge Base Library.
  • Discounts on products and event registrations across NAELA.
  • Opportunities to develop and enhance your professional life.
  • Member kits for National Elder Law Month.

Ready to join?

Apply online in minutes through NAELA’s secure membership system.

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Eligibility

Membership criteria

NAELA membership is reserved for attorneys who meet each of the following standards:

1
Membership is open to attorneys and all those who possess a juris doctorate or equivalent degree and are licensed or authorized to practice law under the jurisdiction of any country.
2
The attorney renders legal services for the benefit of the elderly and people with disabilities, or is in an endeavor that encompasses the legal needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.
3
The attorney has an understanding of the aging process and sensitivity to the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.
4
The attorney is committed to the highest standards of ethics in representing the needs of, or promoting the welfare of, the elderly and people with disabilities.
5
As a condition of membership, the attorney pledges to support NAELA’s Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder Law.
6
The attorney has knowledge of the aging network and the services available through other agencies that benefit the elderly and people with disabilities — or wishes to gain such knowledge.
7
The attorney has a commitment to positive involvement in the work of NAELA and its purposes.
How to Join

Two separate memberships. Both required

NAELA and IL NAELA are independent organizations with separate dues. To be a full IL NAELA member you must join both.

1 Required First

Join NAELA National

NAELA membership is a prerequisite for any state chapter membership. Complete your national application and pay NAELA dues directly on NAELA’s website before joining IL NAELA.

Join NAELA National

You will be redirected to naela.org to complete this step.

2 After Step 1

Join IL NAELA

Once your NAELA membership is active, complete your IL NAELA application. IL NAELA dues are separate from NAELA national dues and are paid directly to IL NAELA.

Join IL NAELA

IL NAELA dues are $295/year, billed separately from NAELA national dues.

Dues Information

IL NAELA annual dues

The amount below is for IL NAELA Chapter dues only. NAELA charges separate national dues — see Step 1 above.

IL NAELA Chapter Dues
$295 / year
Calendar-year membership — January through December.
Illinois Chapter dues only. This amount does not include NAELA national dues, which are required and paid separately. View NAELA national dues →

Membership Categories

  • NAELA Membership
  • Law Professor / Judge
  • LSC Program / Title III
  • New Bar Admittees
  • Law Students

How Membership Works

  • Membership runs January through December of each year.
  • Join after July 1 and NAELA dues are discounted 50%.
  • Section and chapter dues are not eligible for the post–July 1 discount.
  • Membership is individual — no group enrollment is offered.
  • All NAELA dues are non-refundable and not transferable.
Tax note: Contributions or gifts to NAELA (except the NAELA Foundation) are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. They may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses, subject to restrictions related to lobbying and political activities. NAELA estimates the non-deductible portion of dues allocable to lobbying and political activities is 10%.

NAELA State Chapters

Members of NAELA are eligible to join the chapter of their choice; NAELA membership is required for state chapter membership. As a chapter member, you can participate on your chapter’s listserv and use other community tools.

State chapters sponsor continuing legal education programs, publish newsletters, and lead grassroots advocacy. Chapter officers share legislation, sample letters to representatives, and public-policy updates, and chapter membership offers state-specific directory listings plus opportunities to serve on committees, as an officer, or as president of IL NAELA.

NAELA Sections

Once you join NAELA, you can participate in specialized Sections that provide information and networking specific to your practice area. For an annual fee, you’ll receive articles, cases, newsletters, and other publications related to your chosen Section, along with substantive networking tools including a listserv, section library, and collaborative resources.

Advocacy / LitigationGuardianship / CapacityHealth CarePractice Development / Practice ManagementSpecial Needs LawTax, Trusts & Special Needs TrustsBenefits and FinancingYoung / New Attorneys

One step closer to joining IL NAELA

Become a member of IL NAELA today and add your voice to the leading community of elder and special needs law attorneys in Illinois.

Join IL NAELA Join NAELA National First