Shannon Miller, of the Miller Elder Law Firm, was interviewed by Attorney at Law Magazine. Miller is a compassionate advocate who has a passion for filling an important void.
AALM What initially attracted you to this field and what inspired your passion for protecting senior citizens and their families?
SM I would say that the most profound experience was watching my brilliant grandfather suffer and then die – which is not what he had hoped for. It was a great inspiration to me as a child.
As a young attorney, I had an equally impactful case. Mrs. M, a beautiful woman of 92 years old, sat down in my office to explain through tears and wringing her hands that her pastor approached her at the funeral and offered to assist Mrs. M with her finances. Her husband was the financial manager. She added her pastor to her one bank account that contained $15,000 as a co-owner. The pastor then proceeded with emptying the account and moving all assets to an account that he shared with his wife. I found this unconscionable. Unfortunately, Florida law at the time allowed joint account holders to withdraw the entire amount. The case was litigated and we were able recover slightly more than half of the assets. However, the stress from the litigation took its toll. Two months after the case was resolved, Mrs. M passed away. This was a major event that led to the change of Florida’s exploitation laws, which are the strongest in the nation.
AALM What has been the most difficult case you have worked on and how did it approach you?
SM :Michael McCadden was a Korean War veteran who came to us. His daughter took all his savings after he “signed some documents”. We were puzzled as to how his daughter could have taken over his assets, which appeared to be held in a trust under his name. We discovered that the “trust” was run by a daughter as trustee/gatekeeper and a daughter as beneficiary. We were able recover many of Mr. McCadden’s assets. However, it took a criminal investigation, a court order to enforce the settlement agreement and a lengthy litigation lasting over a year.
McCadden’s congestive heart failure caused him to decline greatly during the litigation. His daughter abandoned him. We got him a small apartment through VA Aide and Assistance, did his laundry and groceries, then visited him in the VA at holidays or as he neared death. We would bring Mr. McCadden Dove ice-cream bars whenever we visited him.
Mr. McCadden requested that I tell his story. He was a decorated War Hero who deserved better results. His story inspired us to create the Exploitation Injunction Statute – one of the most innovative tools to stop exploitation. In 2017, it became law, shortly after the death of Mr. McCadden.
AALM Tell about the mentors who have helped you in your career, and what advice they gave you.
SM My first and most influential mentors came when I was in law school, while I was at clinic. “Be a champion for someone who’s never had anything extraordinary.” That is what drives me.
AALM : You are a strong advocate for seniors, as evidenced by your membership in organizations such as the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. What are the benefits of these affiliations to your professional development and your ability to make a difference in your field?
SM :AFELA, the Elder Law Section, the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association, and the Elder Law Section, Florida Bar are my brain trusts. I depend on them every day. Elder law attorneys are a close-knit family. They share knowledge, help each other and celebrate success. Without these colleagues, I would be lost.
AALM How can you balance your legal work with the emotional aspects and personal interactions that are often associated with working with seniors and their family members?
SMI practice yoga and mindfulness is my motto. I am a hot yoga instructor and yin yogi, and I also volunteer at a local drug rehab center with beautiful young mothers, where I teach them mindfulness and yoga while hanging out with their babies. It fills me up.
AALM What has changed in your career since you graduated law school?
SMI didn’t know how much I would love my job, my co-workers and my firm. We are one big family.
AALM Tell about a legal case that has changed your practice.
SMI lost a five-day trial with a jury in a case that I thought we couldn’t win. This made me commit myself to settlement and mediation, regardless of how strong my case was.
AALM What are your future goals and aspirations for your elder law career? Do you have any specific projects or initiatives that you are excited to tackle in the future.
SM :I’m so enthusiastic about life care planning. We are incorporating a elder care coordinator in our practice to assist our clients with aging gracefully, avoiding exploitation, avoiding bankruptcy, paying for healthcare, and finding the most affordable healthcare. Life care planning will help our clients navigate the illness and death process.
AALM Tell me a bit about your outside life.
SM I love to travel and go on yoga retreats as well as visiting nature destinations all over the world. I am a huge animal lover, and have 2 dogs, 2 cat, and a South African Highland Leopard Tortoise. My dad and I enjoy fly fishing and scuba-diving. I’m also enjoying the journeys of my daughters through law and med school. It is an exciting time in their lives.
AALM : Anything to add?
SM :Adult Law attorneys fill an emptiness that people have felt for a very long time. I am very proud to be a part of this journey.
The article Shannon Miller, Champion of Seniors first appeared on Attorney at Law Magazine.