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Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek is the principal of Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek & Associates and the past chair of the Elder Law & Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan.  Her practice concentrates in elder law, Medicaid, estate planning, estates/trust administration, probate, administrative law and disability advocacy.  Ms. Dudek’s practice includes advising and preparing estate planning documents, including special needs trusts; representation in Medicaid hearings to secure appropriate services; administration of estates, trusts, guardianship, conservatorship, and other protective arrangements; and contested litigation in these areas.

A prolific writer and lecturer on topics related to Medicaid, alternatives to guardianship and estate planning for people with disabilities, elders and their right to control their support services, Ms. Dudek was the author of the model contracts for Michigan’s Medicaid Self Determination Initiative.  These contracts facilitate control over Medicaid service budgets and allows for creative solutions for housing and supports. 

Another creative solution used by Ms. Dudek on behalf of her clients is the use of a Pooled Account Trust for Medicaid planning.  She was the first attorney in Michigan to draft one of these trusts and to secure approval for Medicaid by both the Social Security Administration and the State of Michigan.  Ms. Dudek earned her B.A. degree from Michigan State University and her J.D. degree from the Detroit College of Law (now the Michigan State University School of Law), and maintains a membership in ASNP (Academy of Special Needs Planners, American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan (member, Elder Law and Disability Rights Section), and the Oakland County Bar Association.

Other honors earned by Ms. Dudek are: 

• Coveted Fellow Status from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys in Spring 2009
• The Michigan Super Lawyers list as one of the top lawyers 2014
• DBusiness, Detroit’s Premier Business Journal, named Dudek Top Lawyer for 2014
• Best Lawyers named Ms. Dudek as MIchigan Lawyer of the Year for 2014
• The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Powley Elder Law Award in Fall 2005
• She was additionally named to the 2012, 2013 and 2014 list of Top Attorneys in Michigan by the New York Times.  She has been awarded these numerous times.

Lastly Ms. Dudek serves as a volunteer board member of The United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Detroit, and is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. These board positions are just some ways Ms. Dudek gives back to the community.

See About Patti for more information

Also see Awards and Honors

Professional Memberships and Affiliations:

	Academy of Special Needs Planners (former Advisory Board Member)
	American Bar Association
	Elder Law Answers
	National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
	State Bar of Michigan – Elder Law and Disability Rights Section (Chairperson 2000-2001)
	United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Detroit (Board Member and Chair of Governmental Relations Committee)
	Bonnell Foundation – Roadmap to CF I am on the Board of this non-profit foundation, whose mission is to build relationships between parents of children with cystic fibrosis, especially with parents who have children newly diagnosed.
	The Arc Michigan I am on the Government Affairs Committee of this organization whose mission is to ensure that people with Developmental Disabilities are valued and that they and their families can participate fully in and contribute to their community.