Frances M. Pantaleo
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Elder Law Attorney in White Plains, NY
Frances M. Pantaleo concentrates her practice in the areas of elder law, estate planning, drafting wills and trusts, probate and administration of estates, guardianship proceedings, drafting and administration of special needs trusts and advising clients regarding public benefits programs accessed by the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Ms. Pantaleo is a Past-Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Committee on Elder and Special Needs of the Trusts and Estates Section of the New York State Bar. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has served as past-Chair of the Elder Law Committees of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and the Westchester County Bar Association. Ms. Pantaleo was an Associate Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in the Bet Tzedek Litigation Clinic which represented elderly and disabled individuals and an Adjunct Professor at Pace Law School where she developed and taught a course on Elder Law. Ms. Pantaleo received her J.D. from New York University Law School in 1979 and is a summa cum laude graduate of Brooklyn College, CUNY. In 2007, Ms. Pantaleo received a Partner in Justice Award in recognition of her outstanding pro bono assistance to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. Ms. Pantaleo serves on the Boards of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and the Hudson Valley Justice Center. She is a former member of the Board of the Alzheimer's Association Mid-Hudson Chapter and the Westchester End of Life Coalition. She is a frequent lecturer for Continuing Legal Education programs offered by the New York State, Westchester County and Women’s Bar Associations, Pace Law School and the The Practicing Law Institute. Ms. Pantaleo is a frequent presenter on elder law and special needs planning topics for community organizations such as The Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, UJA- Federation, The Pace Women’s Justice Center, Westchester Arc and Senior Law Day programs offered by Westchester County Department of Senior Services and Programs.
Top Lists
- Top 25: 2021 Westchester County Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2020 Westchester County Super Lawyers
- Top 50: 2019 Women New York — Metro Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2019 Westchester County Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2018 Westchester County Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2017 Westchester County Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2012 Westchester County Super Lawyers
- Top 25: 2011 Westchester County Super Lawyers
About Frances M. Pantaleo
First Admitted: 1980, New York
Professional Webpage: http://www.bpslaw.com/attorneys/frances-m-pantaleo.aspx
Representative Clients
- Practice concentrates in the areas of Medicaid planning, guardianship, and estate and special needs planning for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Pro bono/Community Service
- Board of Directors- Alzheimer's Association-Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester Chapter-2010 to 2016
- Former Board Member, Westchester End of Life Coalition
- Board of Directors, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, 2017
- Board of Directors, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, 2017
- Provide numerous free legal presentations to community organizations and participate in the Senior Law Day programs offered by the Westchester County Department of Senior Services and Programs
- Provide assistance to attorneys and clients referred through Legal Services of the Hudson Valley., 2013
- Board of Directors, Alzheimer's Association, Hudson Valley Chapter, 2010
- Member, Senior Law Day Committee of the Westchester Public Private Partnership for Senior Services
- Provide pro bono legal assistance to attorneys on the staff of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley regarding elder law and special needs issues; serve as a resource to volunteer attorneys who work with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
- Membership Committee, Westchester Arc, 2009
- Board of Directors, Hudson Valley Justice Center, 2018
- Former Board Member, Westchester End of Life Coalition
Educational Background
- B.A., summa cum laude, Brooklyn College, CUNY, 1976
- Juris Doctor, New York University School of Law, 1979
Honors/Awards
- Phi Beta Kappa, Brooklyn College, CUNY, 1980
- Award for outstanding pro bono assistance., Partner in Justice Award, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, 2007
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Article defending the use of Medicaid planning in response to state arguments that such planning constitutes an impermissible fraudulent conveyance. , Co-author with Robert M. Freedman, "In Defense of Medicaid Planning: Federal Law Prohibits States from Applying Debtor-Creditor Law to Transfers of Assets", NAELA Quarterly, National Academy Of Elder Law Attorneys, 1994
- Article regarding the growth in law school seminars and clinics which focus on the legal rights of seniors., Co-author with Nancy Levitan, "Elder Law and its Foray into the Law School Curriculum", New York Attorney, New York State Bar Association Elder Law Section, 1998
- Primary author of Chapter regarding Elder Law in New York General Practice Handbook published by West., Co-author with Robert M. Freedman, Elder Law, West Publishing Company--New York Skills and Practice, 1997
Bar/Professional Activity
- Co-Chair, Westchester Women's Bar Association Elder Law Committee, 1997
- Co-Chair of the Committee on Elder and Special Needs, New York State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section, 2018
- Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 1997
- Co-Chair, Westchester County Bar Association Elder Law Committee, 2007
- Officer of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association-2009 through 2014
- Chair of the New York State Bar Association Elder Law Section , 2013
- Frequent speaker and writer of materials for continuing legal education programs offered by the New York State, PLI and local bar associations regarding elder law and special needs planning
Additional Sources of Information About Frances M. Pantaleo
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Last Updated: 7/8/2021