Michigan Estate Planning Lawyers

Our Team

Sanford J. Mall

Sanford J. Mall

Founder/Partner
JD, CELA, CAP, VA Accredited Attorney
[email protected]

Sandy is the founder and senior partner of Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. – The Holistic ElderCare, Special Needs & Estate Planning Law Firm located in Farmington Hills, Oakland County, Michigan.  Sandy is a past Chairperson of the Elder Law & Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan.  He is nationally board Certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, a VA Accredited Attorney and is a member of NAELA’s Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP).  Mr. Mall is a contributing editor and faculty for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE).  Sandy is a member of the Beaumont Health Institutional Ethics Committee, Educational Sub-Committee and teaches Law and Bioethics at William Beaumont School of Medicine, Oakland University.

Sandy’s credentials including the CELA & CAP designations further distinguishes him in the practice of law as a nationally recognized expert in his practice areas of estate planning, elder law, special needs disability planning and advocacy, VA benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and probate and estate administration.  He was also recognized by Worth Magazine as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the country and has been selected as a Super Lawyer, Leading Lawyer, Best Lawyers by US News and he maintains an AV rating in Martindale Hubbell. He is a frequent speaker for the legal, accounting, health care, mental health and financial advisory professions as well as being the author of numerous articles and seminars on all topics within his areas of expertise.

In addition to his membership on the State Bar of Michigan Elder Law & Disability Rights Section Council, he is also a member of the Probate & Estate Section, the Health Care Section and the Social Security Section, the Federal Reserve Money Smart Week Advisory Committee, and Past-Chair of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Government Assistance Programs Section.  Sandy is also a member of the ARC, the Financial Planning Association of Michigan, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the Michigan Association of Justice (MAJ), and Wealth Counsel.

Mall Malisow & Cooney, PC provides holistic legal counseling and advocacy services to individuals, families and estates. The firm’s full service legal practice areas include estate planning, business succession planning, elder law, mediation, Medicaid / Medicare beneficiary rights, elder care advocacy, special needs trusts, disability planning and advocacy, VA benefits planning, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, probate litigation, and estate administration. The firm works collaboratively with professional colleagues throughout Michigan and the United States primarily serving the Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, Macomb and Livingston Counties in Michigan.

Sandy and his high school sweetheart wife, Harriet (Dr. Harriet Mall) have been married for more than 40 years.  They have two married children and four grandchildren.

Media Recognition

“Champion in the Fields of Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Special Needs” in Leading Lawyers

Honors and Awards

Best Lawyer’s – 2014

Professional Feedback

“Sandy, Thank you for your generosity in giving so much back to the legal profession this year.  Your gift of time and expertise has helped thousands of lawyers and the public they serve.” – The Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE)

“Sandy, your contributions to the accounting profession and mission of the MICPA is greatly appreciated. From speaking, to being on the task force, we couldn’t do it all without you!” – MICPA

Arthur L. Malisow

Arthur L. Malisow

Partner
JD, CELA, VA Accredited Attorney
[email protected]

Arthur L. Malisow (Art) is a Shareholder of Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In addition to being a member of the State Bar of Michigan, he is a nationally Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), certified by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Art’s designation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney distinguishes him in the practice of law as having demonstrating that he has attained a nationally recognized standard of expertise in his practice of estate planning, elder law, special needs disability planning and advocacy and estate administration.

Further, Art is an accredited attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This accreditation enables him to prepare, process and prosecute claims for veterans benefits before the VA.

Art’s practice incorporates a holistic approach providing legal counsel in the primary practice areas of estate planning and administration, eldercare legal planning and advocacy, disability and special needs law, and probate. Art graduated from the University of Michigan, receiving a B.A. degree in History and he is a graduate of Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University where he received his J.D. degree cum laude. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.

Art is a member of the Elder Law and Advocacy Section and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), WealthCounsel and the Michigan Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys. Further, Art is a member of the Elder Law Advisory Board for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and a Steering Committee member for the Special Needs Law Section of NAELA. In addition, Art is a contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Elder Law Certificate Program. Art teaches continuing education training courses in Estate Planning for Certified Public Accountants, Financial Advisors, Insurance Professionals and Attorneys. He is an author, educator, frequent lecturer and guest speaker.

Areas of Practice:

  • ElderCare Legal Planning
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Medicaid & VA Benefits Planning
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Probate & Estate Administration (Conservatorships, Guardianships & Decedent’s Estates)
  • Trust Administration

Certification/Specialties:

  • Certified Elder Law Attorney, National Elder Law Foundation, 2008

Bar Admissions:

  • Michigan, 1997

Education:

  • Detroit College of Law, Detroit, Michigan, May, 1997 – JD, Honors: Cum Laude
  • University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, May, 1994 – BA History
Harley D. Manela

Harley D. Manela

Attorney
[email protected]

Harley D. Manela is an Attorney at Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Harley graduated from the University of Michigan, receiving a B.A. degree in Political Science and he is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School where he received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence. Harley concentrates his practice in Probate Litigation, Administrative Appeals, Medicare Beneficiary Rights and Health Care Advocacy as well as Estate Planning, Eldercare Planning, Special Needs Planning, and Real Estate matters.

Harley is a frequent speaker for professional and consumer organizations.

Harley is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and previously served as a Council Member for the Elder Law & Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Harley is a VA accredited attorney. He is also a member of the Probate & Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, WealthCounsel, Oakland County Bar Association and the Michigan Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys. Harley has been recognized by Best Lawyers, DBusiness Top Lawyer and Leading Lawyer. Harley is an Associate Professor at Baker College teaching ElderLaw, Administrative Law and Health Care Law.

Sarah E. Pangburn

Sarah E. Pangburn

Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney
[email protected]

Sarah E. Pangburn is an Associate Attorney at Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. Sarah was born in Toronto, Canada and received her B.A. from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec before moving to Michigan to attend the University of Michigan Law School. Sarah graduated from the University of Michigan Law School with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence. Sarah has practiced with MALL MALISOW & COONEY since she was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2014. Sarah is a member of the Elder Law & Disability Rights and the Probate & Estate Planning sections of the State Bar of Michigan. Sarah focuses her practice exclusively on the areas of Estate Planning, Eldercare Planning, and Special Needs Planning. Sarah works with a wide range of clients and prides herself on making her practice accessible to young families and to women.

Sarah frequently speaks to other professionals and to consumers to educate them on issues related to Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Long Term Care Planning, Asset Protection, Medicaid Benefits, and Special Needs issues.

Sarah lives in Plymouth, Michigan with her husband Brian and her toddler son Wyatt.

Jack Becher

Jack Becher

Veterans Benefits Specialist
[email protected]

Jack Becher is a Veterans Benefits Specialist who first began working serving veterans as a State Service Officer with the American Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam (AMVETS) in 1972. He then worked as a Field Service Officer for Oakland County Veteran’s Services October 11, 1977. Jack is also a U.S. Army Veteran who graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree.

During his time as a Veteran’s Services Officer for Oakland County he was promoted to Veterans Counselor Supervisor in 1980 and he supervised all three Oakland County offices in his thirty year career. Jack joined Mall Malisow & Cooney, PC after he retired from Oakland County in July of 2008. Jack is a retired member of both the Michigan Association of County Veterans Counselors and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. He represented veterans and their dependents before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Jack resides in the City of Warren with his wife Jean and their youngest son James. His older son Adam is married, with two daughters and lives in Clawson. Jack is active in the community having served on the Warren Historical Commission, the Warren Cable Commission as chairman and was Vice-Chairman of the Warren Zoning Board of Appeals. He currently serves as the Chairman of the City of Warren Building Authority.

Jack is a Past President of the Warren Lions Club with more than 53 years of perfect attendance. He is a Past District Governor for Lions District 11-A2, for Oakland and Macomb Counties.

Jack serves on the Oakland County Workforce Development Board of Directors. He also is the Past President of Lions Bear Lake Camp for handicapped children in Lapeer, MI.