Meet Our Faculty
Frederick D. Royal, Ll.m. Program, Professor Of Law
B.A., University of Massachusetts
J.D., Cornell University School of Law
LL.M., Boston University School of Law
Frederick Royal is a Professor of Law and has served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate Program in Estate Planning and Elder Law. Professor Royal has also served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Law. Professor Royal was a Law Clerk to United States Tax Court Judge William M. Drennen for two years. Before joining the faculty in 1978, he specialized in the practice of tax law and estate planning. He has published in the areas of tax procedure, corporate taxation, and estate planning. His most recent publication is Chapter 22, “Representing a Trustee” in Understanding and Using Trusts, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 2005. He is a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education programs, including Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the Massachusetts Bar Association. Professor Royal teaches in the areas of Corporate Taxation, Income Taxation of Pass-Through Entities, Federal Wealth Transfer Taxes, Estate Planning, and Business and Estate Planning for Owners of Closely Held Business Entities.
Email: froyal@law.wne.edu
Phone: 413-782-1422
Marc Belletsky, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., University of Connecticut
J.D., New England School of Law
CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, American College of Financial Services
Marc Belletsky is an Adjunct Professor of Law in the Western New England Elder Law LLM program. Professor Belletsky is currently the Senior Advanced Sales Counsel in Advanced Markets for Securian Financial Company. He has been consulting in the areas of estate, gift, generation skipping tax, closely held business owners, trusts, life insurance and financial planning for over 35 years. As part of the faculty since 2018, he specializes in the practice of federal tax law, estate, gift, generation skipping and overall financial planning. He has published in the areas of tax law, corporate taxation, and estate planning. His most recent publication is “Life and Financial Planning in the Time of Covd-19”, Journal of Financial Services Professionals. He is a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education programs, including continuing legal education and multiple state bar associations. Professor Belletsky teaches in the areas of Federal Wealth Transfer Taxes, Estate Planning, and Business and Estate Planning for Owners of Closely Held Business Entities. Professor Belletsky teaches Wealth Planning with Life Insurance during Fall semester.
Marc R. Belletsky JD, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP ® |
Senior Advanced Sales Counselt, Advanced Markets
7010 Quiet Creek Drive, Bradenton, FL 34212
m. (651) 302-1759
www.securian.com | marc.belletsky@securian.com
Alfred Campos, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., State University of New York at Albany
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
Alfred Campos is the Director for the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA): AARP’s Educator Community. NRTA is a division of AARP and is the nation’s largest organization serving the interests of retired educators. He leads NRTA’s strategic direction, management, advocacy, and community engagement dedicated to the priorities of individuals age 50-plus and their families. Moreover, he serves as the NRTA national spokesperson representing 850,000 members nationwide. Before joining NRTA, Mr. Campos was a lobbyist in the Government Relations Department of the National Education Association (NEA). He was responsible for advancing NEA’s interests concerning federal legislative and regulatory issues concerning taxation, pensions, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, health care, and school finance. He was also NEA’s legislative liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a trustee to the Employees’ Retirement Plan of the National Education Association. Mr. Campos worked for the Financial Planning Association as Counsel and Assistant Director of Government Relations. He began his political career as Legislative Counsel for Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tex.) and as a Legislative Assistant for former Senator Charles S. Robb (D-Va.). He also practiced law as an attorney for the law firm of Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur LLP and was a senior insurance underwriter for the Chubb Corporation, a multinational insurance company. Mr. Campos is an Executive Leadership Council Fellow and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany and a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law. He is a member of the US Supreme Court, District of Columbia, and Connecticut Bars. In addition, Mr. Campos serves on the National Council on Teacher Retirement (NCTR) Corporate Advisory Committee, the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) Visionary Circle, and is an Aspen Institute Socrates Society Scholar. Professor Campos teaches Policy and Planning.
Email: alfred.campos@gmail.com
Phone: 703-403-3061AARP
601 E Street
Washington, DC 20049
Michele E. Cassidy, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., Siena College
J.D., Albany Law School/Union University
LL.M., Western New England University School of Law
Michele E. Cassidy owns a small elder law and estate planning firm in New York. Previously she was an associate at the Bress Law Firm, a litigation associate at Rogers & Wells, and in-house counsel at several investment banks. Professor Cassidy is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Elder Law and Trusts and Estates Sections of the New York State Bar Association, the Central Westchester Geriatric Committee, the Northern Westchester Geriatric Committee, the Long Term Care Council, and the Westchester Women’s Bar Association. She is the author of the Philips’ Guide to Preventing Medicaid Fraud and Abuse for DUMMIES. Professor Cassidy teaches Legal Capacity, Advanced Directives and Guardianship.
Cassidy Law Firm
Katonah, NY and White Plains, NY
Email: mcassidy@cassidyelderlaw.com
Phone: 914-428-1404
Hyman G. Darling, Adjunct Professor Of Law
A.B., Boston University
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
Hyman G. Darling is a shareholder in the law firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C. of Springfield, MA and is Chairman of the Estate Planning, Elder Law Department of the firm. His areas of expertise include estate planning, probate, and elder law. Professor Darling is the author of numerous articles on elder law and estate planning and is a frequent lecturer for continuing legal education programs, including Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the Massachusetts Bar Association. He has been a member of the adjunct faculty of Western New England University School of Law for more than a decade. Professor Darling teaches Elder Law.
Email: hdarling@baconwilson.com
Phone: 413-781-0560
James M. Dingley, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.S., State University New York
VT Bar: Read for bar in State of Vermont
LL.M., Western New England University School of Law
James M. Dingley has been a practicing Vermont attorney for the past 25 years. He received his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York. Jim is also a graduate of Western New England University School of Law, where he received an L.L.M. degree with honors. Jim serves as an adjunct professor at Western New England School of Law, Springfield, MA, in its LL.M. (Letter of Law, Masters) program teaching the drafting of Wills, Trusts and other Estate Planning documents. He is also an alumni of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming. After moving to Bennington County in 2002, Jim opened up his own practice in Manchester, Vermont. Jim is licensed to practice in federal and state courts in Vermont and New Hampshire as well as in several state and federal courts around the New England region, and before the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Jim is a member of the National Academy of Elder Lawyers (NAELA), Vermont NAELA chapter. He is currently serving as President of the Bennington County Bar Association. He is an elected Justice of the Peace in the Town of Manchester. Jim is also a frequent presenter on elder law and estate planning issues, landlord and property owner education. He lives in Manchester with his wife Kelly. They have two adult daughters. Member of Vermont and New Hampshire state and federal bars; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. President, Bennington County Bar Association, 2016 to present. Professor Dingley teaches Wills & Trusts and Drafting Revocable Trusts.
Email: dingley@dingleylaw.com
James M. Dingley, Atty At Law, P.C.
204 South Street Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-8503 Bennington
(802) 366-1010 Manchester
(802) 752-9372 Cell phone
(802) 746-4158 Fax
Michele J. Feinstein, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.S., Boston University
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
LL.M. in Taxation, Boston University School of Law
Michele J. Feinstein is a shareholder in the Springfield law firm of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. where she practices in the areas of estate planning, including probate and the administration of estates and elder law, and business planning, including all aspects of planning for the succession of business interests, and representation of closely held businesses and their owners. Professor Feinstein is a frequent lecturer for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the Massachusetts Bar Association on estate planning, estate administration, and elder law topics. Professor Feinstein teaches Fiduciary Administration.
Email: mfeinstein@ssfpc.com
Phone: 413-737-1131
Aimee Griffin Joyner, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.S., Clark University
M.Ed., Cambridge College
J.D., Western New England College School of Law
LL.M., Western New England College School of Law
Aimee Griffin Joyner, JD, LLM is a Western Massachusetts native. She enrolled at Western New England Law School as a nontraditional student with a commitment to impact the community service. After graduation she was the Inaugural Director of the Entrepreneurship Center collaboration between the Law and Business schools. Her commitment to economic empowerment compelled her to join the Black Chamber movement started the New England Black Chamber and the US Black Chambers. Aimee completed her LLM Western New England in Elder Law and Estate Planning. She has relocated to the Washington DC area where she is the principal of The Griffin Firm PLLC. Her firm employs all African American women. The Firm's mission is to educate, collaborate and strategically plan with individuals, families and communities to build multi-generational wealth. The Vision of the firm is to be a premier global network of professionals that supports the creation, protection and transfer of wealth. Professor Griffin teaches Law Practice Management.
The Griffin Firm, PLLC
Email: aimee@thegriffinfirm-pllc.com
Phone: 855-574-8481
Website: www.yourestateplanningattorney.com
Christopher J. Hug, Adjunct Professor Of Law
A.B., Brown University
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
Christopher J. Hug is a Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP. He focuses exclusively on dispute resolution, whether in litigation, arbitration and/or mediation contexts. Since 2011, he has served as a member of the Connecticut Probate Practice Book Advisory Committee that is responsible for drafting a comprehensive probate practice manual for the Connecticut Probate Courts. A significant part of his practice relates to the representation of parties in contested probate matters before the various courts of Connecticut. Such matters typically include will contests, conservatorships and various claims for breach of fiduciary duty. He also assists various health entities in resolving matters related to conservatorships, psychiatric disabilities, and end-of-life issues. He has lectured on conversatorships and discovery practice in probate matters. He is affiliated with the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA). Professor Hug teaches Fiduciary Administration and Probate Litigation.
Email: chug@rc.com
Phone: 860-275-8294
Karen B. Johnson, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., Clark University
J.D., Duke University School of Law
LL.M. in Taxation, Boston University School of Law
Karen B. Johnson is the owner of Madge & Johnson, P.C., with its office Westford, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and holds an LLM degree in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. She is designated a "Super Lawyer" in the field of Elder Law by Boston Magazine. In addition to traditional estate planning services, including strategies for high net worth families, Professor Johnson assists seniors and persons with special needs and their families with applying and qualifying for governmental assistance programs offered by the Veteran's Administration and Medicaid. Professor Johnson is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a past President and Board Member of the Massachusetts Chapter. Professor Johnson is a frequent contributor to MCLE educational programs. Professor Johnson teaches Medicaid Planning.
Email: karen.johnson@madgejohnson.com
Phone: 978-692-0922
Vincent A. Liberti Jr., Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.S., Union College
J.D., Western New England College School of Law
LL.M., Western New England College School of Law
Vincent A. Liberti's practice encompasses matters dealing with wealth acquisition, preservation and transfer. His practice entails the use of wills, trusts, and sophisticated estate planning techniques; elder law representation; probate administration and fiduciary representation; business formation and succession planning; commercial real estate transactions, including IRC Section 1031 tax deferred exchanges. He is licensed to practice law in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Vincent is a Partner at Halloran and Sage, LLP with a main office in Hartford, Connecticut and is Chair of their estate planning and probate and their business succession practice groups. He previously managed his own law practice and before becoming a lawyer was involved in real estate and mortgage brokerage. Professor Liberti teaches Wills & Trusts: Design, Drafting and Implementation.
Email: liberti@halloransage.com
Phone: 806-241-4048
Caleb S. Lihn, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.S., Arizona State University
J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
LL.M., Western New England University School of Law
Caleb S. Lihn is an estate planning, elder law, and special needs attorney in Arizona. He uses his first-hand experience to help families navigate complex situations and find creative solutions. Professor Lihn is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and is the incoming President of the Arizona NAELA Chapter. He was previously chair of the Executive Council for the Elder Law, Mental Health, and Special Needs Section of the State Bar of Arizona. Professor Lihn was recently selected to Arizona’s Finest Lawyers and presented with an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell for excellence in legal ability and ethics. Additionally, he has been selected as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine and a Business Leader in the field of Elder Law by AzBusiness Leaders Magazine. Professor Lihn teaches Special Needs Trust Administration.
Taylor & Lihn, PLLC
Email: caleb@taylorlihn.com
Phone: 480-699-3145
Jeffrey A. Maine, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.B.A., M.B.A., Florida Atlantic University
J.D., Stetson University
LL.M., University of Florida
Jeffrey A. Maine specializes in tax law. He previously practiced at Holland & Knight in Tampa, Florida and is currently a professor at University of Maine School of Law. Professor Maine has more than 26 years of experience in teaching, including positions at Stetson University College of Law, University of Idaho College of Law, Texas A&M University School of Law, the John Marshall Law School, and the University of New Hampshire School of Law. He has written eight books and numerous articles in the field. His current research focuses on the intersection of federal taxation and intellectual property. Professor Maine teaches Income Tax for Estate Planners.
University of Maine School of Law
Email: jeffrey.maine@maine.edu
Phone: 207-780-4366
Todd A. Mcgee, Adjunct Professor Of Law
A.S., Holyoke Community College
B.S., Northeastern University
J.D., Western New England College School of Law
After law school at Western New England University, Todd worked at the State House in Boston, Massachusetts where he was the Chief of Staff for State Representative Michael F. Kane (D-Holyoke). While working at the State House Todd obtained his LL.M in tax from Boston University School of Law. In 2003, Todd left the State House and joined a firm in New Britain, Connecticut where he practiced as a member of that firm in all probate, real estate and estate & business planning matters. Todd also worked for the law firm of Bacon & Wilson, P.C. in Springfield, Massachusetts where he specialized in estate planning, probate, Medicaid, and elder law matters. While at Bacon & Wilson he published articles for the local newspapers and for the firm’s website. Todd is admitted to practice law in both Connecticut and Massachusetts and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, Hampden County Bar Association, and former member of the Connecticut Bar Association, and the New Britain Bar Association. Todd is a frequent author for MassMutual’s news letter, From the Desk of…, writing on a great variety of topics in the estate and business planning fields. Todd also contributes articles in the MassMutual Advanced Underwriter. He is a frequent lecturer and speaker to insurance and financial professionals from throughout the country. Todd is the President of the Holyoke City Council and an elected member of the Holyoke City Council. Todd lives in Holyoke, Massachusetts with his wife Brenna and their son Myles and their two daughters Maille and Mac. Professor McGee teaches Wealth Planning with Life Insurance.
Email: mcgeetodd@yahoo.com
Kelley C. Miller, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., Mount Holyoke College
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
LL.M., Georgetown University Law School
Kelley C. Miller is a Partner at Reed Smith LLP, resident in the Firm's Washington, DC office. Kelley is the recipient of the ABA Section of Taxation's Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award and the Thompson Reuters Everyday Hero Award, and was named by Law360 as one of the Most Influential Women Tax Attorneys in the United States. She is also a former John S. Nolan Fellow of the ABA Section of Taxation. Kelley is an adjunct professor of law at the Georgetown University Law Center and Howard University School of Law. She is also on the faculty of the New York University Institute on Federal Tax Controversy and the Practicing Law Institute's faculty for the Federal Taxation of Corporations and Partnerships. Professor Miller teaches Business Succession Planning.
Email: kmiller@reedsmith.com
Phone: 215-851-8855
Margot N. Parrot, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., University of Massachusetts
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
LL.M., Western New England University School of Law
Margot N. Parrot has recently retired as a solo practitioner, focusing on the areas of Trusts and Estates, Estate Planning for Traditional and Non-Traditional Families, Elder Law, and Small Business. She has volunteered on the boards of nonprofit organizations, in local government and in local and state political campaigns. She currently serves as Vice-Chair on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Professor Parrot teaches Elder Law and Advanced Elder Law II.
Email: mparrot@parrotlaw.com
Phone: 978-830-4542
Joseph A. Pieropan, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., Wesleyan University
J.D., Western New England School of Law
Joseph A. Pieropan is an assistant district attorney for Hampden County. He previously served as an assistant district attorney in Berkshire County between 1987 and 2018, where he was Chief of Appeals. Mr. Pieropan is a certified instructor for the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee and he has conducted trainings throughout his career for the Massachusetts District Attorney's Association and the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education corporation. Professor Pieropan teaches Elder Abuse.
Email: jpieropan@aol.com
Elizabeth A. Simpson, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., Western New England University
J.D., Western New England University School of Law
LL.M., Western New England University School of Law
Elizabeth A. Simpson has worked at Western New England University for over 20 years. Professor Simpson has worked as a library assistant, senior lecturer, advancement professional. She is currently the Associate Director of Planned Giving at the University. Professor Simpson is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County, CASE: Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and Planned Giving Group of New England. Professor Simpson was a Business West 40 Under 40 Honoree in 2019. Professor Simpson teaches Planning for Charitable Transfers.
Western New England University
Email: elizabeth.simpson@wne.edu
Phone: 413-796-2108
Stephen J. Spano, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., University of Massachusetts
M.B.A., Northeastern University
J.D., New England School of Law
The Law Office of Stephen Spano is dedicated solely to Elder Law and Estates. Attorney Spano is one of only several Massachusetts Elder Law Attorneys who is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. The Firm's extensive staff and specialization solely in Elder Law and Estates, provides clients the security in knowing that their concerns are being addressed by dedicated and caring specialists. The Firm takes pride in not only providing unparalleled service, but also expert knowledge. An example of that knowledge is the depth and breadth of continuation education in which the entire staff participates on a regular basis. His practice areas include, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts and Wills. Professor Spano teaches Elder Law and Special Needs Planning.
Email: stephen@spanodawicki.com
Phone: 781-231-7800
Michael Stankavish, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.A., Stonehill College
J.D., New England School of Law
Michael A. Stankavish is the principal at North Shore Elder Law & Estate Planning, and can counsel you through any stage of estate planning as well as a variety of elder law issues with the confidence and expertise clients seek. With over a decade of real-world experience, he knows how to bring time and money-saving solutions to your issues. Michael is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) where he engages with other elder law attorneys to stay current on the important issues facing the elderly community, specifically focusing on ensuring the fair treatment of elders navigating their way through the complex MassHealth regulatory system. He is a frequent lecturer at nursing homes, assisted livings and counsels on aging, which allow him to stay connected to the community in which he resides and works. He is a presenter and mentor at the bi-annual Elder Law Project of the Women’s Bar Foundation, where he trains volunteer attorneys to prepare and implement basic estate plans for low-income individuals. Michael was Co-Chair of the MCLE seminar on Elder Law Under the MUTC & MUPC in May, of 2013. In addition, Michael was Co-Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Boston Bar Association. Michael has been named a “Rising Star” by SuperLawyers in the field of elder law every year since 2013; a recognition earned by a small percentage of attorneys. At North Shore Elder Law & Estate Planning, Michael continues to focus his practice exclusively on elder law, estate planning, asset protection, probate litigation and estate administration, which allows him to be a continuous advocate for the elderly, good counsel for families wanting to plan for the future and a leader to families with minor or adult children with special needs. In addition, Michael is chair of the Melrose Human Rights Commission. Professor Stankavish teaches Final Drafting.
North Shore Elder Law & Estate Planning
610-A Main Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone: 781-979-9050
Fax: 781-979-9052
Email: mstankavish@nselep.com
Web: www.nselep.com
Nathan Wadlinger, Adjunct Professor Of Law
B.S./M.ACC., University of Florida, Fisher School of Accounting
J.D., University of Florida, Levin College of Law
LL.M., Boston University School of Law
Nathan Wadlinger specializes in tax and accounting. Over the past 10 years, Professor Wadlinger has taught at the graduate and undergraduate level in the areas of business, accounting and tax. He has published numerous journal articles and is frequently invited to present at professional conferences. Prior to his teaching career, he worked at Ernst and Young LLP and in law practice. Professor Wadlinger teaches Income Tax of Pass-Through Entities.
University of Central Florida
Email: Nathan.wadlinger@ucf.edu
Mark Worthington, Adjunct Professor Of Law
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law
LL.M., Boston University Law School
Mark W. Worthington is Senior Counsel at Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, P.C. (“SNLG”), a three-attorney firm in Framingham, Massachusetts that practices exclusively in special needs advocacy and planning, estate planning, and elder law. Mark is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and before the United States Supreme Court. He received his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University Law School. He is a former Professor and Director of the Graduate Program in Elder Law and Estate Planning at Western New England University School of Law, where he continues in Adjunct status to teach courses in Medicaid, Estate Planning for Retirement Plans, and the Grantor Trust Rules. Mark is a Certified Elder Law Attorney*, a member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“NAELA”), past President (2007) of the Massachusetts Chapter of NAELA, vice-chair of the NAELA Tax Section, Technical Editor of the Special Needs and Elder Care Newsletter for Leimberg Information Services, Inc., and a Trustee of the NAELA Foundation. He has been named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer every year since 2008, is Martindale-Hubble AV rated, and has written and spoken for programs presented by the ABA, ALI-CLE, Suffolk University Law School, Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, Stetson University College of Law, NAELA, Mass NAELA, and Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education. Mark wrote the Issues Brief NAELA submitted to Congress that preserved lifetime required minimum distributions for inherited retirement plans left to Special Needs Trusts under the SECURE Act. Professor Worthington teaches Medicaid Planning, Life and Estate Planning for Retirement Plans and The Grantor Trust Rules.
Email: mworthington@specialneeds-law.com
Phone: 508-861-3453, Fax: 508-861-3690
Mark W. Worthington, JD, LLM (Tax), CELA*, CAP
Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, P.C.
Special Needs Advocacy and Planning, Estate Planning, and Elder Law
211 Cochituate Road
Framingham, MA 01701