Page 8 - July August CBA Report

pretty straightforward. Your clients either
met Medicaid’s income and asset stan-
dards and were eligible or they did not.
There were no transfer of asset limitations.
The evolution of Medicaid has required
increasingly sophisticated planning to
ensure that persons needing long-term
care receive the care they need and also
maximize what they can protect of their
life savings for themselves, their spouse,
and their family members. These changes
also have resulted in numerous speaking
opportunities for organizations such as:
Cincinnati Bar Association, Ohio State
Bar Association, National Academy of
Elder Law Attorneys, Special Needs Alli-
ance, and American Bar Association.
Office Accommodations
Solo attorneys have two options for
their office. They can pay rent or they can
practice from home. I started working
from home and still do. There is no
commute or rent, but many of my clients
are more comfortable in a home setting
than an office setting. I do, though, look
the part with a suit and tie.
Office location matters. My home is in
the geographic center of Cincinnati and
is readily accessible. There are nine steps
into my home through the front door and
six through the back door, each with firm
railings. Potential clients for whom my
home is not safely accessible can meet by
Zoom, phone, their home or other loca-
tion. When appropriate, I also meet clients
at their home, hospital, or care facility.
Confidentiality is essential to the prac-
tice of any attorney, particularly in a home
office. My private office is on the first floor.
A fairly large dining room serves well for
meetings.
Staffing
Just as my office is simple, so is my
staffing. I do my own bookkeeping and
record keeping and handle my taxes,
checking account, and IOLTA account.
If the phone rings, I answer it. If I don’t
answer it, my answering machine does. If
the doorbell rings, I answer it. The bottom
line to my clients is that if my client is
dealing with my office, my client is dealing
with me. My admin needs have been met
Monica, Harrison, Alan, and Mitchell
enjoy family time at the
through a succession of college students
Cincinnati Museum Center.
and others working part-time.
External Support
While there are a number of busi-
nesses offering services to attorneys, I
stuck with and have been very pleased
with the networking and professional
services received from local, state, national
bars and legal associations.
Through the CLE, publications,
websites, committees, and listservs/
networking provided by the above, I am
able to easily and quickly keep up to date
on the law, do legal research, and establish
and maintain relationships and collegi-
ality with the best elder and special needs
law attorneys across the country.
Gregory S. French is a Past Chair of the CBA’s Solo/
Small Firm Practitioners Practice Group, founder
and first Chair of what is now the CBA’s Elder Law &
Special Needs Law Practice Group, and a long-time
member of the CBA’s Ethics Committee.
8 THE REPORT | July/August 2025 | CincyBar.org