Article: Representing the Client Who Is Older in the Law Office and in the Courtroom

Volume 2, Issue 1

William E. Adams and Rebecca C. Morgan

Professors Adams and Morgan examine a number of issues concerned with representing elderly clients in litigation. They begin by looking at some generalizations that can be made about many elderly clients, while at the same time stressing that defining the archetypal elderly client is impossible. Next, Professors Adams and Morgan look at areas where many elderly clients’ needs go unmet. After then examining ethical dilemmas in the elder law context, the remainder of the professors’ article discusses issues that arise in the law office setting as well as the courtroom setting. They then offer practical advice on how elder law attorneys can better serve their clients involved in litigation.

William E. Adams is Assistant Professor, Shepard Broad Law Center , Nova Southeastern University , Ft. Lauderdale , Florida , and director of the Civil Clinic there . Rebecca C. Morgan is Professor of Law and Associate Dean, Stetson University College of Law. The authors express their gratitude to Reference Librarian Madison Mosley and law students Beth French, Andrew Adler, and Daniel Stiffer for their research efforts, to Professor Bill Eleazer for his comments, as well as to Sharon Gisclair and Louise Petren for their word processing skills.