Two area law firms merge

The Theresa Law Center, a well-known elder law, special needs advocacy and estate planning law firm, has merged with Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C. "This merger is a result of the shared approach to business practiced at both firms by highly motivated attorneys with extensive experience serving clients and their families. Our mission is to be the preeminent Estate and Special Needs Planning, Elder Care and Probate law practice in Michigan. The merger creates a practice team that is unrivaled in experience and expertise in these very specialized areas of the law." said Theresa Law Center founder Mary T. Schmitt Smith. Steven Malach, leader of the Estate Planning and Probate law practice at Lipson Neilson and founder of the Center for Estate Planning said, "We are confident this merger will benefit clients of both firms, and the synergy will help attract new clients. Mary is known nationwide for her expertise and her commitment to our profession. She is Michigan's first Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), and she actually invented a concept called the Interceptor Trust to protect assets of individuals with disabilities. This concept became so popular that the U.S. Congress adopted it as federal law, and these trusts are now used by attorneys throughout the USA to protect the assets of people with special needs. These are just a couple examples of why we are excited to be working alongside Mary and the staff of Theresa Law Center." Smith established the Theresa Law Center, PC to continue a more than 20-year tradition of providing legal advocacy for clients with a passion for protection. Smith has maintained an AV-rating by Martindale Hubbell every year since 1999. She has served on the board of directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and was recognized as a Fellow in the Academy in 2003. Founded in 1985, Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C. has offices in Bloomfield Hills, Detroit and Las Vegas. The firm's Estate Planning law practice group is recognized throughout Michigan for its ability to represent clients and manage complex cases involving probate litigation, trusts and contested wills. Published: Wed, Jan 14, 2015