Title: President and Attorney-at-Law
Company: Ettinger Law Firm
Location: Lake Success, New York, United States
Michael Ettinger, Esq., president and attorney-at-law at Ettinger Law Firm, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in elder law and estate planning.
For nearly 45 years, Mr. Ettinger has contributed his skills as an attorney-at-law at Ettinger Law Firm, where he focuses on protecting the needs of senior citizens through estate planning and elder law. Since 1991, he has also taken on the roles of president and counselor at law for the organization. Mr. Ettinger works directly with the elderly to help them prepare their assets so that they’re passed on efficiently and as desired. He also specializes in providing guidance to reduce or avoid legal fees, taxes and nursing home costs that could otherwise impact those assets. When required due to disability, Mr. Ettinger can help seniors set up power of attorney, living wills or other proxies to handle decision-making without going through a lengthy and complicated guardianship process. Having focused entirely on the field of elder law since becoming president of Ettinger Law Firm, he has established himself as one of the most respected voices in the industry.
In addition to his daily work as an attorney, Mr. Ettinger has become a prolific writer on the law. In 2023, he published “Ettinger Law Firm’s Guide to Protecting Your Future,” an essential handbook pulling together decades of insight into financial state planning, Medicaid applications, health and well-being for the elderly, and more. Mr. Ettinger has contributed to such other books as 2010’s “Elder Law Estate Planning” and 2003’s “Understanding Living Trusts: How You Can Avoid Probate, Save Taxes and Enjoy Peace of Mind.” The concept of “peace of mind” is a topic he has explored further through a recent essay that delves into his personal philosophy and offers advice on avoiding cynicism and worry in order to live a more fulfilling life. Over the course of his professional life, Mr. Ettinger has written over 200 articles for various legal publications, including the New York State Bar Association Journal.
Mr. Ettinger’s stature in his field was born of his academic journey. In his home city of Montreal, he obtained two bachelor’s degrees with honors from McGill University — one in French civil law in 1976, and one in English common law in in 1977. Subsequently, Mr. Ettinger earned a Master of Laws in international maritime law from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1978. He immigrated to the United States and was admitted to the bar in New York in 1980.
In order to stay aware of developments in elder law, Mr. Ettinger has been a member of several important organizations relevant to the field. He served as a founding member of the American Academy of Special Needs Planning, the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys and ElderCounsel. Mr. Ettinger also helped launch and was a one-time president of the American Association of Trust, Estate and Elder Law Attorneys. He remains active with the New York State Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, both of which allow him to interact, share with and learn from colleagues.
When he’s not working or writing, Mr. Ettinger enjoys riding his bike to relax. He feels comfortable with the level of status he has achieved for Ettinger Law Firm and now intends to focus more on maintaining that level of quality rather than further expansion. Mr. Ettinger believes in constant improvement for himself and his firm. He is always working on making the organization’s processes better and has also embraced mentoring young lawyers.
Contact Mr. Ettinger:
