Carlino to advance elder law

Gene M. Carlino, partner at Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West, has been named president of the inaugural Rhode Island chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. NAELA is a national public-policy advocacy group dedicated to the needs of the elderly population.

Why did you initially choose to practice law?

I saw it as a potentially enjoyable and interesting way to earn a living. My educational background is in accounting with an emphasis on tax matters, and I felt applying those areas to the practice of law would never become dull. I guess I believed in what Benjamin Franklin said: The only two certain things in life are death and taxes.

What’s unique about elder law?

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When I was in law school, there was not a class on elder law. This practice area is a unique combination of different disciplines, including traditional estate planning, incapacity planning, debtor/creditor rights law, estate and income tax planning, and elder exploitation defense. An elder-law attorney has to be versed to some degree in each of these areas and know when to seek assistance.

What’s first on your agenda as state chapter president?

Our goals are to maintain a high level of competence for the practice of elder law by assisting attorneys interested in elder law with resources, networking and learning opportunities. We also intend to work closely with legislative and administration officials in ensuring that statutes, rules and regulations protect the elder population.    

You’re licensed by the NFL Players Association as a contract adviser. Can you discuss that work?

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big football fan at all levels. Much like the practice of law, I saw the opportunity to take something I had a passion about and apply it to young people. I am proud to say that I obtained the first professional contract for a Brown University all-American with the LA KISS of the Arena Football League. In addition, I’m currently representing a young man named Tebucky Jones Jr., who last year was signed by the Tennessee Titans. •

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