Hook Law Attorneys Attend 2025 Stetson Special Needs Trust National Conference
Hook Law is proud to announce that attorneys Andy and Emily recently attended the 2025 Stetson Special Needs Trust National Conference, the nation’s premier advanced conference on special needs planning. This annual event, hosted by Stetson University College of Law, brings together leading professionals from across the country to share the latest developments, strategies, and best practices in the field of special needs trusts and planning.
Special needs planning is a cornerstone of our firm’s practice, and our commitment to staying at the forefront of this complex and evolving area of law is reflected in our participation in this prestigious conference. Andy and Emily joined other top attorneys, trustees, financial planners, and advocates for two days of advanced, timely classes covering a wide variety of subjects critical to serving individuals with disabilities and their families.
Conference sessions included updates on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, ethical practices in elder and special needs law, strategies for protecting benefits eligibility, trustee transition challenges, and the impact of recent legislative changes. Breakout sessions addressed unique topics such as remote caregiving, immigration issues, crowdfunding for public benefits, and the intersection of child support and special needs planning. The conference also featured interactive sessions and opportunities to learn from experienced practitioners about real-world challenges and solutions.
By attending the Stetson Special Needs Trust National Conference, Andy and Emily have further enhanced their expertise and are equipped with the latest knowledge to better serve our clients and referral sources. Their participation underscores Hook Law’s dedication to providing informed, compassionate, and effective special needs planning services.
If you have questions about special needs trusts or planning for a loved one with disabilities, please contact our office. We are here to help guide you through every step of the process.
Andrew H. Hook
757-399-7506 | 252-722-2890
Andrew H. Hook founded Hook Law Center and, across 51 years in practice, built it into one of the region’s most respected trusts, estates, elder law, and special needs practices. He served as Chairman of the Board until 2026, when he transitioned to an Of Counsel role.
Andy is widely regarded as a pioneer in elder law and life-care planning. He was elected to the Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2021. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), certified by the National Elder Law Foundation; a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC); and a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), where he also served as a Director. He is a past President of the Special Needs Alliance and a former editor-in-chief of the NAELA Journal. Andy is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®), and accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (#9035) to handle VA benefits claims. He is co-author of the Special Needs Trust Handbook (Wolters Kluwer) and has written on durable powers of attorney and on representing elderly and disabled clients.
As Of Counsel, Andy continues to serve as a trusted advisor to the firm and a mentor to its attorneys, sharing the experience and judgment he developed over a distinguished career. While he has stepped back from the day-to-day practice of law, his counsel, his standards, and his deep institutional knowledge continue to guide the firm as it enters its next chapter under the leadership of Tejal Desai. Clients, families, and professional colleagues can be confident that the values, depth of expertise, and commitment to service Andy built remain at the very heart of the firm.
Practice Areas
- Elder Law
- Estate & Trust Administration
- Estate Planning
- Asset Protection Planning
- Long-Term Care Planning
- Special Needs Planning
- Financial Planning
- Personal Injury Settlement Consulting
