SJM_BegleyLawGroup_BusinessSpotlight_0119 . qxp_BusinessSpotlight 1 / 4 / 19 12 : 48 PM Page 1 PROMOTION Joellen Meckley , Attorney at Begley Law Group her interaction with clients . “ There is a lot of misinformation out there . People get their information about elder law and nursing homes from conversations in coffee shops and beauty salons , ” Meckley says . “ We try to educate as much as possible . We don’t just say , ‘ This is what you’re going to do . ’ We give them the why , present options and they make the decision . ” While there is no pre - determined age for meeting an elder law attorney , Meckley says she sees a pattern of people falling into one of two categories . One being an older adult who doesn’t know what to do and is in a crisis , or the other is someone trying to be proactive . “ We always say , if you’ve received any kind of diagnosis , one that is progressively disabling , absolutely come in immediately for planning , ” she says . “ These types of dis - eases are often diagnosed in the early stages and within a few years they will decline , so the farther ahead you do planning , the better BYYOUR the outcome . ” For folks in their 70s , Meckley says they are welcome to come in for a consultation . “ Many people are worried about losing their SIDE assets to a nursing home , and if you’re not ill it’s still good to know some options available Attorney Joellen Meckley offers elder law clients and then revisit them in a few years . ” unique , firsthand experience and compassion while Alleviating stress is easily the thing she finds most rewarding about her career . they navigate the challenges of aging . by LIZ HUNTER “ Hands down , when a family comes in “ Long before I came to work here I was stressed to their limit with no idea where to oellen Meckley never quite expected aware of the Begley Law Group’s stellar rep - turn , finding a pathway for them that results to become an attorney ; her career ini - utation , ” she says . “ Tom Begley is a leader in in a great outcome for mom and dad — there tiallytook a different path . During college J the field , and when I met him and Ethan is nothing more rewarding , ” she says . sheworked as a nursing assistant in a nursing [ Ordog ] , we clicked and I just knew this was Looking into the future of the field , Meck - home and went on to earn a bachelor’s in the place to move my career into leysees an increased focus on independence . psychology . With a mind toward improving the next “ I think as baby boomers transition into this nursing home conditions , she went on to phase.They deal with each client with com - phase , they’re not satisfied with the idea of obtain her master’s in health finance and passion and they are truly nice people . I ending up in a care facility , ” she says . “ I see management and became licensed as a can’t imagine working in any other setting . ” folks coming in with a focus on planning nursing home administrator in the process . Meckley is a member of the National strongly geared toward maintaining inde - At just 25 years old she was managing a Academyof Elder Law Attorneys , the Philadel - pendence as much as possible . ” nursing home in Baltimore , something she phia Estate Planning Council , the Philadel - As someone who has been working in freely admits others may find strange , but phia , Pennsylvania , Burlington County and the area of elder care in various capacities she had always been naturally drawn to New Jersey and American Bar Associations . for over two decades , Meckley is proud of working with older adults . She also served on the board of directors for her combined experience . “ Working in the Over the course of several years working positive aging in Lower Merion from 2013 - long - term in the care side of the industry , Meckley be - 2016 and has been actively involved in local care industry prior to being an came familiar with attorneys working in chambers of commerce and associations . attorney is a difficult job . It’s a high - stress elder law and was inspired by how they Meckley’s unique background gives her profession , ” she says . “ I feel like the time helped another level of understanding for seniors I’ve invested has made me a better attorney , ging adults plan ahead and deal a and their families and uses that knowledge more compassionate . I feel very proud of with health crises . She realized this could be to help them navigate the options available myearly career accomplishments and achiev - an opportunity to serve this population in a for long - term care . “ I think , because I lived ing partnership at this firm makes me excited new way and followed her passion to obtain n the reality of caring for older adults hands about my career long term . ” a degree from the Temple University Beasley on , I personally know what the struggle School of Law . is Begley Law Group , PC After years of having a private practice , like , the confusion , fear and stress , ” she says . Meckley joined Begley Law Group , one of “ I bring that to the table with every client . 509 S . Lenola Road , Building 7 South Jersey’s most reputable firms practicing Instead of immediately going to the legal Moorestown elder and disability law and estate and asset matters , I begin by talking about the person’s ( 800 ) 533 - 7227 planning , in 2017 . This past November she situation , their care , their life . ” BegleyLawGroup.com became a partner in the firm . Education is often the first element of SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 15 issue 10 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 22 |