Michele P. Fuller
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Macomb, Michigan
Michigan Law Center, PLLC
Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate; view more
Licensed in Michigan since: 1997
Education: University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2026 Call today:
855-740-0606
Michigan Law Center, PLLC
45200 Card RoadSuite 108
Macomb, MI 48044 Visit website
Details
Michele P. Fuller, Esq., is the founder of the Michigan Law Center in Macomb, Michigan, and Advocacy, Inc., a non-profit organization. She was recently accepted as a Fellow of the Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals (formerly Academy of Court Appointed Special Masters) as a result of her architecting the Flint Water Case settlement. She also holds several leadership positions, including acting as a member of the board of directors of the Michigan NAELA Chapter, a member of the Advisory Committee for ASNP, and is former Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Michele is a highly sought speaker for national and state-wide programs. She is also the co-author of Administering the Michigan Special Needs Trust and Special Needs Trusts: A Guide for Trustees and Those who Advise Them. She has published articles for the American Bar Association, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys News, NAELA Journal, Journal of the Michigan Association for Justice, the Michigan Bar Journal, Estates and Trusts Magazine, Elder Law Report, and has been quoted in the New York Times. She is also the 2018 recipient of the Unsung Hero Award of the State Bar of Michigan, given annually to an attorney who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others.
She is also the host of the Great Lakes Special Needs Planning Symposium, and co-host of the (California) Special Needs Planning Symposium. A multi-day professional event focused on fundamentals of special needs planning and trust administration, as well as cutting-edge material for the advanced practitioner.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & ProbateFocus areas
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Power of Attorney, Trusts
- 100% Estate Planning & Probate
First Admitted: 1997, Michigan
Professional Webpage: http://www.michiganlawcenter.com
Bar / Professional Activity
- Michele hosted the Great Lakes Special Needs Planning Symposium in Dearborn, Michigan, a two-day professional event focused on the fundamentals of special needs planning and trust administration, and cutting edge material for the advanced practitioner., 2022
- Board of Directors of the Michigan NAELA Chapter, 2022
- Michele co-hosted the 1st-7th annual Special Needs Planning Symposium, a three-day professional continuing education event, in Napa, California., 2022
- Michigan Law Center held the first Macomb Medicaid Bootcamp for the continuing education of social workers in Macomb County., 2019
- Michele was the co-host of a three day professional conference in Santa Rosa, California, on special needs trust administration. She and the other host created and presented most of the material., 2017
- State Bar of Michigan
- Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Michele is Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, 2016
- Michele was nominated for another term on the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Michigan Chapter Board of Directors 2017, 2017
- Active member of the Michigan Association for Justice
- Member of the Advisory Board for the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), 2012
- Michele is the Chair ex-officio of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan 2017, 2017
- Michele is a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan NAELA chapter., 2013
- Member of Elder Counsel, 2010
- Michele was a contributor and instructor for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in developing the content and video instruction for their Elder Law Certification program., 2016
- Michele continues to serve on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Special Needs Planners, 2017
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Michele continues to serve as co-counsel on large complex settlements for persons who have suffered catastrophic injuries, and created special needs trusts or other trust mechanisms to preserve assets and government benefit elgibility., 2019
- Michele continues to serve as co-counsel on several multi-million dollar settlements, created special needs trusts to preserve assets and eligibility for public benefits. Michele was also involved in the establishment of several qualified settlement funds for mass torts., 2018
Transactions
- Michele lead the firm in creating strategic alliances with Investwise (financial firm) and White Glove to hold consumer education events on estate planning., 2019
- Michele is a certified adjunt practice advisor with Atticus, a company that helps lawyers grow their practice and live extraordinary lives while making a difference for their clients., 2019
- Michele became a certified adjunt practice advisor with Atticus, a company that helps lawyers grow their practice and live extraordinary lives while making a difference for their clients., 2018
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Michele continues to be an Atticus certified Adjunct Practice Advisor, business coaching for attorneys., 2019
- Michele participated in creating curriculum for the Elder Law Certificate program for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Michigan., 2017
- Michele became a certified Adjunct Practice Advisor with Atticus, providing practice management coaching, for attorneys., 2018
- Michele is a certified adjunct practice advisor with Atticus, 2019
- Michele is a certified adjunt practice advisor with Atticus, 2018
Pro bono / Community Service
- Michele worked with the legal aid clinic of the University of Michigan to assist with settlement planning for a minor., 2022
- Michele and the firm regularly provides free community education events on estate planning, and specific topics on special needs planning., 2019
- Michele speaks at community and professional education events to help parents and professionals better understand their rights, planning needs, and information about public benefits., 2018
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2019
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2014
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2018
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2017
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2016
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2015
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers stand-alone special needs trusts., 2013
- Michele is the President of Advocacy, which administers stand-alone special needs trusts. , 2012
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers a pooled special needs trust as well as stand-alone special needs trusts., 2011
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers a pooled special needs trust as well as stand-alone special needs trusts., 2010
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers a pooled special needs trust as well as stand-alone special needs trusts., 2009
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers a pooled special needs trust as well as stand-alone special needs trusts., 2008
- Michele regularly assists and counsels individuals with disabilities with regard to their rights and community services on a pro bono basis.
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers a pooled special needs trust as well as stand-alone special needs trusts., 2007
- Michele is the founder of Advocacy, Inc., which advocates for persons with disabilities and administers a pooled special needs trust as well as stand-alone special needs trusts., 2006
Educational Background
- Michele attended Chippewa Valley High School (class of 1988), Depauw University for two years and finished her undergrad at Michigan State University with Honors from the James Madison College with a degree in International Relations. She then attended American University in their masters program, then obtained her Juris Doctor from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
White Papers
- Provided an overview on settlement planning-Michigan Bar Journal January 2018, Considerations when Settling a Lawsuit for an Individual Lacking Legal Capacity or a Minor, Attorneys, 2018
- Michele Fuller and Kevin Urbatsch outline the fundamental considerations for personal injury attorneys to consider when their client with disabilities is recieving an award or settlement. Published in the American Association, Trial Magazine, spring 2020., Plan and Preserve Litigation Recoveries for Persons with Disabilities, Personal Injury Attorneys, 2020
- Michele provided advice and resources for young lawyers who are trying to acheive a work-life balance while dealing with parents who need assistance , Top Tips for Managing Aging Parents-ABA Young Lawyers edition, 2018
- Michele Fuller co-authored this article which examines historical treatment of people with disabilities, the predicited numbers of persons with disabilites, the groups most influencial and conditions impacting the numbers including a detailed discussion of autism and the impact of the ACA on planning., The Future of Planning for People with Disabilities, NAELA, 2013
- This article is to be published in the State Bar Journal of Michigan, late summer early fall of 2017 in the Family Law edition., Divorce and Disability Identifying and Resolving a Spouse with a Disability’s Unique Issues, Family Law And Special Needs Planning, 2017
- Michele co-authored an article regarding the use of a qualified settlement fund in litigation matters, published in the Michigan Association for Justice Journal, Fall 2017., Incorporating a QSF into your Case Resolution Toolkit, Litigation, 2017
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Michele was a panelist presenting on changes in federal policy (POMS) and its impact on special needs trust administration., presenter, Changes in the POMS and its impact on SNT administration, Academy of Special Needs Planners 13th annual conference, Attorneys And Financial Advisors, 2019
- Michele presented a detailed overview of lien resolution strategies: limiting scope of representation, limiting liens to be repaid by holding Ahlborn lien reduction hearings, and using a QSF as a planning tool., panelist, Liens Forum, Michigan Association for Justice, Personal Injury Attorneys, 2019
- Michele provided an overview of special needs planning for certified public accountants., presenter, Special Needs Planning Essentials, Michigan Financial Companies, Continuing Education For CPAs., 2019
- Michele Fuller and Ann Koerner (of National Care Advisors) co-presented on the critical points in setting family and beneficiary expectations prior to, and during, special needs estate planning and trust administration. , co-presenter, Working with Persons with Disabilities, Their Families, and Setting Them Up for Success, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Attorneys And Financial Advisors, 2019
- Michele presented a detailed review of conflicting expectations between trustees, beneficiaries, and government entitities, and top recommendations for avoiding conflict and how to deal with it when it arises., Presenter, Managing Unrealistic Expectations in Special Needs Trust Administration, Attorneys, 2019
- Michele created and presented a half-day workshop on practice management for personal injury attorneys at the Michigan Association for Justice annual seminar on Hiring, Time Management, and Building a Referral Network., Presenter, Practice Management, Personal Injury Firms, 2019
- Michele presented on basics of estate planning to the CBWM group., presenter, Estate planning 101, Coldwell Banker Wier Manuel, Realtors, 2018
- Michele discussed what Trust protectors are in estate planning, how to use them, their roles, customization, pros and cons., Presenter, SNT Trust Protector: Needed Protection or Unnecessary Burden?, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planning Attorneys And Financial Advisors, 2019
- Michele discussed special needs settlement planning and provided an overview of the representation and some advanced techniques., presenter, Developing a Family Plan When an Infant with Special Needs Receives a Lawsuit Recovery, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)-Chicago Summit national conference, Special Needs Planning Attorneys, 2018
- Michele presented on the new Social Security Administration rules and its impact on special needs trust drafting and administration, presenter, The new POMS: effect on drafting and administering SNTs, Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, Elder Law And Disability Rights Attorneys And Professionals, 2018
- Michele co-presented on the new Social Security Administration policies and the impact on special needs trust administration, co-presenter, Special Needs Trust Administration: New Rules & What the Trustee Must Know, Professional Fiduciary Association of California-Southern California group, Professional Fiduciaries And Trustees, 2018
- Michele was a co-presenter regarding updates in federal policy., co-presenter, Social Security Administration policy changes and effect on SNTs, Professional Fiduciary Association of California, Private Professional Fiduciaries, 2018
- Michele was a panelist along with David Lillesand and Ken Brown (former director of the POMS-division of the Social Security Administration) on updates in federal policy., panelist, Changes in the POMS and impact on SNTs, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planners-attorneys, Trustees, Financial Advisors, 2018
- Co-presented with financial advisor on planning issues for families who's loved ones suffer from this terrible disease., co-presenter, Huntington's Disease Education Conference, Families And Professionals Concerning Huntington's Disease, 2018
- Michele presented a 60 minute session on helping realtors develop attorneys as referral sources, Presenter, Top Tips on Getting Lawyers to Refer to You, Coldwell Banker Wier Manuel Ignite Forum, Real Estate Professionals, 2018
- Michele presented two one-hour programs which provided an overview of two types of special needs trusts., presenter, First and third party pooled trust overview, MassMutual Annual Special Needs Planning Symposium, Special Care Financial Advisors, 2018
- Michele presented a webinar for the MAJ and AAA on using qualified settlement trusts for planning opportunities for them and their clients, Presenter, Using QSF's to eliminate headaches, Michigan Association for Justice, Litigation Counsel, 2018
- Michele presented a two hour program on Medicaid planning for elderly clients who need long-term care., Presenter, Medicaid planning 101, Macomb paralegal section of the Macomb Probate Bar, Professional Guardians, 2018
- Michele presented at the annual Michigan Association for Justice spring conference, May, 2017., speaker, Using QSFs to Eliminate Headaches and Get Paid Faster, Michigan Association for Justice, Personal Injury Attorneys, 2017
- Michele is co-presenting with nationally recognized authorities in special needs planners at the annual conference and co-teaching the pre-conference basics course. She is also serving as Chair of the conference., Chair, Academy of Special Needs Planners annual conference, Chair of conference, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Elder Law And Special Needs Planning, 2012
- Michele presented Top Developments in Special Needs Planning on behalf of Michigan Financial Companies in May, 2017., speaker, Top Developments in Special Needs Planning, Michigan Financial Companies, Financial Planners And CPAs, 2017
- MIchele published an article regarding pooled trusts in Lawyer's Weekly in August 2009. She later was a featured speaker at the Elder Law Section fall conference in 2009. Michele writes frequently for the ASNP settlement planning newsletter, assisted in developing materials for trial attorneys and represented ASNP at the national AAJ conference as a vendor and professional resource. She was also a member of the planning committee for the 2010 and 2011 annual conferences, and her materials were presented and published for the 2010 conference. In 2010, she co-presented on drafting special needs trusts with Professor Jeffrey Pennell and Kevin Urbatsch. She also was a featured presenter for ICLE at their spring conference in 2010. She is a speaker at the spring 2011 elder law section conference, and is pleased to be a panelist with Judge Milton Mack and Loretta Murphy regarding the mental health code. She is also a speaker at the Michigan Guardianship Association conference this May. She was recently quoted in a New York Times article about using trusts to avoiding nursing home placement, and was featured in an article for an on-line publication on estate planning for special needs clients in lawyersandsettlements.com., speaker and publisher, 2009
- Michele presented at the annual MassMutual Special Care conference June, 2017., speaker, Divorce Planning for a Child with Disabilities and the Impact of Child Support, MassMutual, Financial Advisors-SpecialCare Advisors, 2017
- Michele was a presenter at the ELDRS section of the State Bar of Michigan Fall conference held October, 2011 regarding updates and changes in special needs planning, Speaker, Updates on special needs planning, Elder Law Section, State Bar of Michigan Fall conference, Elder Law, 2011
- Michele co-presented on drafting issues particular to special needs trusts at the annual conference spring, 2017., speaker, Drafting the World's best Special Needs Trust, Academy of Special Needs Planners, 2017
- Michele is a co-presenter on the Fundamentals of Estate Planning for Persons with Disabilities for the Academy of Special Needs Planners as part of their fundamentals program as a pre-courser to their annual conference., Presenter, Fundamentals in Estate Planning for Persons with Disabilities, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planning Attorneys, 2016
- Michele was a featured panelist for Atticus Advisors regarding aspects of practice management., panelist, Lessons Learned by the Practice Growth Masters, Atticus, Attorneys, 2017
- In their article, Michele Fuller and Kevin Urbatsch provide an overview of the evolution of law and treatment of people with disabilities, dscuss the trends in numbers of people with disabilities, and some of the factors influencing those numbers. The authors also discuss the way counsel's advice to clients will change as well as the planning methods available and the impact of the Affordable Care Act., co-author, The Future of Planning for Persons with Disabilities: What Challenges Will Arise?, NAELA Journal, NAELA-National Academy Of Elder Law Attorneys, 2013
- Michele was an organizer and presenter at a two-day symposium regarding special needs planning., speaker and organizer, Special Needs Planning Symposium, Attorneys And Professional Fiduciaries, 2017
- In this article the authors examine the top ten mistakes frequently made by trustees of special needs trusts and the effect such mistakes have on beneficiaries and their benefits., co-author, Traps for the Unwary During Special Needs Trust Administration, Estate Planning, June 2013, v. 40, n.6, Thompson Reuters, 2013
- Michele was a co-presenter for a day and a half intensive on special needs planning for ElderCounsel, September, 2017., speaker, Special Needs Immersion Camp, ElderCounsel, Attorneys, 2017
- The co-authors explore the impact of the Affordable Care Act on planning for people with disabilities and examining the impact and decision making as to whether a special needs trust is appropriate., co-author, How the Affordable Care Act Affects Special Needs Planning, August/September 2013 issue of NAELA News, NAELA, 2013
- In this article, the authors describe the elements of a third party pooled special needs trust and how counsel can use this tool for planning for special needs families, particularly for those of modest means., co-author, Using Third Party Pooled Trusts for Special Needs Planning for Families of Modest Means, June 2013 issue of Bifocal, Journal of the ABA Commission on Law and Aging, ABA Commission On Law And Aging, 2013
- Michele was a co-presenter regarding Section 8 Housing issues and special needs trust for Stafford, October, 2017., speaker, Section 8 Housing, Stafford, 2017
- In this article, Michele interviews a special education advocate with ARC to discuss her top tips for parents participating in creating an IEP, or Individual Education Plan, for their child., author, Top IEP Tips for Parents, www.specialednews.com, NAELA And Special Education, 2013
- Michele presented part I, of a webinar series regarding special needs planning and divorce for the Academy of Special Needs Planners, Ocober, 2017., speaker, Planning for Adults with Disabilities During Divorce, Academy of Special Needs Planners, 2017
- Michele Fuller and Kevin Urbatsch will be the key note presenters at the NAELA annual conference in May, 2014, to discuss their article featured in the Fall 2013 NAELA Journal, the Future of Special Needs Planning. They will also be leading breakout sessions regarding the impact of the ACA on Special Needs Planning and the Trust Review Process: how to keep your SN Trustee out of hot water and the evolving caselaw in this area., key note speaker, NAELA, NAELA, 2014
- Michele presented part II of a webinar series regarding divorce and special needs planning for the Academy of Special Needs Planners, November, 2017., speaker, Planning for Children with Disabilities During Divorce, Academy of Special Needs Planners, 2017
- Ms. Fuller and co-author, Kevin Urbatch, give a detaled overview of the planning methods available to families in order to protect the potential inheritance of their child with special needs., co-author, Special Needs Trusts: Protect Your Child's Financial Future, NOLO press, 2015
- Michele presented a highly detailed overview of the considerations when purchasing a car from a special needs trust for MassMutual SpecialCare Planners, November 2017., speaker, Purchasing a Car from a Special Needs Trust, MassMutual, 2017
- Michele was a speaker at the MetLife annual national special needs symposium in July, 2015. She spoke about the interaction between Section 8 housing benefits and special needs trusts., Speaker, Housing and Special Needs Trusts, MetLife, 2015
- Michele co-presented a webinar providing an overview of the establishment and use of a Qualified Settlement Fund for the Academy of Special Needs Planners, December 2017., speaker, QSF Overview, Academy of Special Needs Planners, 2017
- Michele's article, Planning for a Person with Disabilities, explored planning options for persons with disabilities, including special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and medical insurance through the ACA., Author, Planning for a Person with Disabiliites, Michigan Bar Journal, 2014
- Michele was a panelist at the annual Michigan Guardianship Association conference as an expert in special needs planning and benefits coordination., Panelist, Michigan Guardianship Association, Professional Guardians, 2016
- Michele presented a webinar to estate planning attorneys regarding time management and acheiving a work/life balance., Presenter, Manage Your Practice, Manage Your Life, ElderCounsel, Estate Planning, 2016
- Michele presented a webinar for the Academy of Special Needs Planners regarding settlement options for minors and adults with disabilities who are receiving a litigation recovery., Presenter, Settlement Planning for Minors or Adults with Special Needs, Special Needs Planning, Settlement Planning, 2016
- Michele was a co-presenter at the Insurance Rehabilitation Study Group 2016 Conference in Chicago to discuss settlement planning options for individuals who had sustained traumatic injuries., Prensenter, To Settle or Not to Settle, Insurance Rehabilitation Study Group 2016 Conference, Case Managers For Insurance Companies For Catastrophic Injuries, 2016
- Michele served as a panelist for the Macomb Community College planned giving workshop on Generation Squeeze, which highlighted adult caregiving issues dealing with aging parents to discussion planning options and resources., Panelist, Generation Squeeze, Macomb County Community College, Consumers, 2016
- Michele presented a national webinar for ElderCounsel regarding best practices when serving an aging population., Presenter, Expanding Your Practice to Serve Our Senior Population, ElderCounsel, Elder Law Attorneys, 2016
- Michele was a presenter for the Academy of Special Needs Planners regarding Best Practices when Drafting Pooled SNT Master Trust and Joinder Agreements due to her experience drafting state-centric and national pooled trusts., Presenter, Best Practices when Drafting Pooled SNT Master Trust and Joinder Agreements, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planning Attorneys, 2016
- Michele published an article in the Elder Law Report regarding how to add special needs planning to an elder law practice., Author, Building a Special Needs Practice, Elder Law Answers, Elder Law Attorneys, 2016
- Michele was pleased to return as a presenter at the MassMutual annual Special Needs Planning Symposium to speak about particular issues with divorce and persons with disabilities. , Presenter, Divorce and Special Needs Planning, MassMutual, Financial Advisors, 2016
- In this article, Michele highlighted the most common mistakes in planning for aging clients that she sees in her office and how to avoid them., Author, Beware of Unintended Consequences in Elder Law Planning, MassMutual Special Care newsletter, Special Care Financial Advisors, 2016
- This article was a summary of her presentation at the national Special Needs Planning Symposium regarding issues for persons with disabilities who are going through a divorce., Author, Issue spotting for people with disabilities going through a divorce, MassMutual Special Care newsletter, Financial Advisors, 2016
- Michele presented a national webinar for elder law attorneys regarding how to expand their elder law practice to include special needs planning. , Presenter, Expanding your practice to serve those with special needs, ElderCounsel, Elder Law Attorneys, 2016
- Michele presented a national webinar for special needs planning attorneys regarding the effect of funding a special needs trust on public benefit eligibility for individuals over age 65., Presenter, Nationwide Effect of Funding Pooled SNTs After Age 65, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planning Attorneys, 2016
- Michele was a co-presenter regarding Hot Topics in Special Needs Planning for the ELDR Section of the State Bar of Michigan at their fall conference., Presenter, Hot Topics in Special Needs Planning, Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, 2016
- Michele presented the latest developments in special needs planning at the annual Symposium for ElderCounsel/WealthCounsel., Presenter, Hot Topics in Special Needs Planning, ElderCounsel/WealthCounsel, Estate Planning Attorneys, 2016
- Michele presented an Overview of Medicare and Medicaid for the Academy of Special Needs Planners as part of their fundamentals program and as a pre-courser to their annual conference., Presenter, An Overview of Medicare and Medicaid, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planners, 2016
- Michele presented a webinar for the Academy of Special Needs Planners regarding special needs trust adminsitration February, 2017., speaker, Top Ten Mistakes in Special Needs Trust Administration, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planning Attorneys, 2017
- Michele presented a webinar for the Academy of Special Needs Planners regarding special needs trust adminsitration February, 2017., speaker, Top Ten Mistakes in Special Needs Trust Administration, Academy of Special Needs Planners, Special Needs Planning Attorneys, 2017
- Michele presented a webinar regarding the preparation and submission of successful Medicaid applications for ElderCounsel, April 2017., speaker, Medicaid Applications Start to Finish, ElderCounsel, Elder Law Attorneys, 2017
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Hosted a full-day educational event for CE credits for social workers, Macomb Medicaid Bootcamp., 2019
- Michele Fuller and Kevin Urbatsch co-authored the third edition of the book, Administering the California Special Needs Trust: a Guide for Trustees and Those Who Advise Them. https://www.amazon.com/Administering-California-Special-Needs-Trust/dp/0578620715/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=administering+the+California+special+needs+trust+by+kevin+urbatsch&qid=1583280407&s=books&sr=1-1, 2020
- Michele Fuller and Kevin Urbatsch co-authored the first edition of Administering the Michigan Special Needs Trust: a Guide for Trustees and Those Who Advise Them, Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020. https://www.amazon.com/Administering-Michigan-Special-Needs-Trust/dp/1672768195/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=administering+the+michigan+special+needs+trust+by+kevin+urbatsch&qid=1583280478&s=books&sr=1-1, 2020
- Co-hosted the Special Needs Planning Symposium in Santa Rosa, California. The event is a three-day professional conference for private professional fiduciaries and attorneys on special needs trust administration, and was attended by 340 people., 2019
- Co-hosted the Special Needs Planning Symposium in Santa Rosa, California. The event is a three-day professional conference for private professional fiduciaries and attorneys on special needs trust administration, and was attended by 275 people., 2018
- Co-hosted the Special Needs Planning Symposium in Santa Rosa, California. The event is a three-day professional conference for private professional fiduciaries and attorneys on special needs trust administration, and was attended by 217 people. The co-host and I created and presented almost 100% of the content., 2017
- Co-author of "Special Needs Trusts: Planning for Your Child's Financial Future," NOLO Press, 7th Edition, 2017., 2017
- Co-author of "Administering the California Special Needs Trust," 2nd Edition, 2017., 2017
- Michele was featured as a member in the spotlight at the WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel symposium to discuss the top three keys to her success., 2016
Honors
- given to the top 3% of attorneys in the nation, Distinguished Lawyers, The Expert Network, 2018
- Voted top Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Attorney of the Year, Women-in Law Top Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney of the Year, Lawyer's Weekly Magazine, 2018
- Given to top Elder Law attorneys in the nation., 10 Best Elder Law Attorneys, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2018
- Super Lawyers award is given to top practitioners in their state as nominated by their peers and their nominating committee., Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2018
- The Unsung Hero Award is given annually to an attorney who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others., UnSung Hero Award, Representative Assembly of the State Bar of Michigan, 2018
- Michele was one of two attorneys in the cournty named Top Special Needs Advocate by Parenting Magazine., Top Special Needs Advocate, Parenting Magazine, 2013
- Nominated by James Cooper to the Expert Network, Member-Nominee, The Expert Network, 2017
- Michele was nominated to the list of Michigan Top Lawyers., Michigan Top Lawyers, Michigan Top Lawyers, 2017
- Michele was recognized as a member of Lawyers of Distinction for 2017 , Lawyers of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction, 2017
- This award is given to the top 3% of attorneys in the nation as determined by independent research and peer nominations., Distinguished Lawyers, The Expert Network, 2016
- Michele was named one of the Top Attorneys in North America 2017, Top Attorneys of North America, Who's Who, 2017
- Michele was included for another year in Continental's Who's Who., Continental Who's Who, Continental Who's Who, 2017
- Michele was named a two-year member of the American Institute of Legal Counsel in 2017., Member-American Institute of Legal Counsel, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2017
- Michele was named 2016 American Institute of Legal Counsel 10 Best Elder Law Attorneys in the United States, 10 Best Elder Law Attorneys, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2016
- This award is based on independent research and peer nominations., Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney of the Year, Lawyer's Monthly Magazine, 2016
- Michele received the Lawyer Designation from the Expert Network, only conferred upon the top 3% of lawyers in the nation., Lawyer Designation, The Expert Network, 2017
- Michele was featured in Lawyer Monthly October 2017 edition for Professional Excellence in Estate Planning., Professional Excellence-Estate Planning, Lawyer Monthly Magazine, 2017
Industry Groups
- Post-settlement Planning
- Special Needs Trust Planning And Administration
Selections
9 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2018 - 2026
