•Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
 
RICHARD A. (“Rick”) COURTNEY has practiced law since 1978 and is a founding partner of the Jackson law firm of Frascogna Courtney, PLLC, where he chairs the Elder Law / Estate Planning and Special Needs Planning sections.  His primary areas of practice are elder law, public benefits law (Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, Veterans), personal asset protection and estate planning (wills, trusts, property ownership), trusts and trust administration, special needs planning for persons with disabilities, guardianships and conservatorships for mentally incapacitated persons, nursing home and disability rights, and probate administration.  The firm employs a professional Care Manager to assist our clients. 
 
Professional Activities
 
An alumnus of Mississippi College (1975) and the University of Mississippi School of Law (1977), Rick is the first attorney in Mississippi to have received the designation of Certified Elder Law Attorney by the American Bar Association-accredited National Elder Law Foundation.  He is a former Assistant Dean of the Mississippi College School of Law, where he has been an Adjunct Professor of Law since 1991.  Licensed to practice before all state and federal courts in Mississippi, Rick has been an active member of the:
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, where he has served on the Trust Special Interest Group Steering Committee (Chair, 2005-07), the Program and Education Committee, and as Mississippi Liaison for the Public Policy Forum;
• Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association;
• Trusts and Estates Section of the Mississippi State Bar (Chair, 2006-08);
• Mississippi Estate Planning Council;
• Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association; and
• The Special Needs Alliance, LLC (a national organization of special needs planning attorneys)
 
Civic and Community Activities
 
Rick has been active in community involvement as:
• President and Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation of Mississippi, Inc.
• President of the Advisory Board of Hospice Ministries Inc.
• Director of the Heritage School for children with learning disabilities
• Member of the Occupational Therapy Council of Advisors for the Mississippi State Department of Health
• President of the Mississippi Elder Justice Center Advisory Board
• Member of the Alzheimer’s Association-Middle Mississippi Chapter
• Member of the NAMI of Central Mississippi Affiliate (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) 
 
Rick has published numerous articles and educational materials and has delivered many presentations for lawyers and other professionals on a variety of elder law, estate planning and special needs planning subjects.  He frequently speaks to church, community and disability support groups on topics of interest to senior adults, caregiver children and spouses, and families with special needs.  He works extensively with seniors, their families and persons with disabilities (and their professional advisors) to protect personal rights and dignity and achieve the best health and wealth possible for a quality life.
 
Rick and his wife, Ruthie, have adult twin daughters, one of whom has a significant disability.  They are members of First Baptist Church of Madison, Mississippi, where Rick has served on various committees and as a deacon.

Rick is licensed to practice in Mississippi and works in the firm's Jackson, Mississippi office. He may be reached via e-mail at rcourtney@frascourtlaw.com.