Elder Law and Advocacy: Awards & Honors « About Patti
Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek – Awards & Honors
2020 – Best Lawyers – Best Lawyers In America
2012-2013 Board of Directors – National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Ms. Dudek has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) for 2012-2013. NAELA is a professional association of over 4,200 attorneys who are dedicated to improving the quality of legal services provided to seniors and people with special needs. NAELA members assist their clients with public benefits, probate and estate planning, guardianship/conservatorship, and health and long-term care planning, among other important issues.
Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP) – National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) – 2010
Membership in CAP is available only to preeminent elder law attorneys who have made substantial contributions to elder or special needs law. Requirements include being an NAELA member for a minimum of 10 years, AV rated by Martindale Hubbell and either an NAELA Fellow or Certified Elder Law Attorney.
Fellow of the Academy – National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) – 2009
The Academy's highest honor – a designation for those who concentrate practice in the field of elder law and meet strict criteria. Nominees must have distinguished themselves by making exceptional contributions to meeting the needs of older people. Election as a Fellow signifies that his/her peers recognize the lawyer as a model for others, and as an exceptional lawyer and leader.
Powley Elder Law Award – National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) – 2005
This award is presented annually to a NAELA member who is recognized in his or her community as a leader in promoting a greater understanding of the rights and needs of elders and persons with special needs and of how elder law attorneys advocate for those rights.
AV Rated – Martindale Hubbell
An AV certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment – a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. It is the highest rating available to any individual lawyer.
Avvo – Ms. Dudek is among the highest rated elder law attorney in her area.
Best Lawyers has named Ms. Dudek as a Michigan Lawyer of the Year for 2012, 2016, & 2019. Recipients of this honor are selected by receiving high ratings from their peers, demonstrating that she has earned the respect of those in her field. Ms. Dudek has also been recognized by Best Lawyers for several other awards:
• Best Lawyers in America – 2017, 2018, & 2020
• Best Attorney in Michigan – 2013 & 2015
• A Women in Law top peer nominated lawyer – 2016 (March), 2018 (June), & 2019 (April)
Crain’s Detroit Business – “Top Attorney in Michigan” – 2014, 2016, & 2019
DBusiness – Detroit’s Premier Business Journal, has named Dudek a Top Lawyer for 2012, 2014, & 2018, one of Detroit’s Top Attorneys in 2016, and she was featured in the September 26, 2015 publication. To create the Top Lawyers list, DBusiness polls more than 15,000 attorneys asking them to nominate their peers, and Ms. Dudek is proud to be among the winners. She was also named one of the Top Women Lawyers in Michigan (July) and Top Attorneys in Michigan (September) in 2019.
Distinguished Business Award – Arc of Western Wayne County – 1996
HOUR Detroit – The Detroit area magazine has given Ms. Dudek several awards based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
• Top Women Attorneys in Michigan – 2014 – 2020
• Top Consumer Attorneys in Michigan – 2016 & 2018
• Top Attorneys in Michigan – 2015, 2017, & 2020
Michigan Lawyers Weekly – “Top Lawyer in Michigan” – 2018
New York Times – “Top Attorneys in Michigan” 2012 and 2013.
Service Award – United Cerebral Palsy Metro Detroit – 2006
Super Lawyer – 2009-2019 (from SuperLawyers.com)
For eleven years, Ms. Dudek has been named to the list of Michigan Super Lawyers, a list compiled by Super Lawyers magainzes. Attorneys are only selected for this status following a rigorous review, including peer evaluations and professional achievements.
The American Registry – has recognized Ms. Dudek as being one of the “Most Honored Professionals” in 2016, 2017, & 2019. This award was given for continuous professional recognition, as accomplishments realized by the top 1% of American Professionals. All qualifying public recognitions of excellence are certified by The American Registry and include significant mentions in the press, honor by recognized trade groups, and acclaimed recognition by peers and clients.
The 2012 & 2014 SeniorHomes.com – Best of the Web contest highlights the best senior living and caregiving websites, blogs, and resources for consumers and senior living professionals.
U.S. News & World Reports has named Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek as one of 2015, 2016, & 2017 the area of Elder Care Law and Disability Rights. U.S. News & World also named Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek & Associates as one of the Best Law Firms in Michigan for 2020.
