Daniel Hooper Smith, Esq. is a Partner at Advocates in Aging, Law Office of Wiesner Smith PLLC in Sarasota, Florida, focusing on elder law, medicaid planning, veterans benefits, wills, trusts, and estate planning, special needs planning, probate and trust administration, guardianship, and assisted living/nursing home issues. Daniel is licensed to practice law in Florida and Virginia. Daniel is also a VA Accredited Attorney, and represents veterans and their families in appeals of VA Benefits decisions.

Daniel received his law degree with honors from the George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Virginia. While in law school, he was an Articles Editor for the George Mason Law Review, a Writing Fellow in the Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis program, and was selected to be a member of the Supreme Court Clinic.

During law school, Daniel interned for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C and the Alabama Securities Commission in Montgomery, Alabama, helping to bring justice to victims of financial fraud and abuse. Prior to joining Advocates in Aging, Daniel completed a federal judicial clerkship with the Honorable Paul M. Black of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Roanoke, Virginia. Following his clerkship, Daniel practiced at a distinguished law firm in Roanoke.

Education:

• J.D. cum laude, George Mason University School of Law
  • Articles Editor, George Mason Law Review
  • Writing Fellow, Legal Research, Writing & Analysis (LRWA) Program
  • Member, Supreme Court Clinic

• B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Professional:

• Licensed and in good standing in Florida and Virginia
• Member, The Florida Bar
• Member, Sarasota County Bar Association
• Member, Virginia State Bar
• Appointed Guardianship Attorney, Lutheran Services Florida
• VA Accredited Attorney
• Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2021-2023
• SRQ Magazine, Elite Top Attorneys, 2021-2023

Firm Description

For over 40 years, our firm has been laser-focused on providing legal guidance and direction to an aging population and those concerned about them. We are here to serve our clients and their families in a supportive and understanding, yet organized and efficient manner. Our commitment is to provide top-quality, cost-effective, and responsive representation through hard work, scholarship, and dedication. Our principal goal is to provide our clients with the most advantageous strategies, professional assessment, and information to ensure that their goals are achieved. This encompasses the following fundamental questions: (1) What kind of legacy do I wish to leave?; (2) Who will care for me when I no longer can?;(3) How can I assure my wishes will be carried out?; and(4) How is my family going to pay for this? Our firm goal is to provide holistic, client-centered, and comprehensive solutions to effectively address our clients concerns. This is what elder law is and has always been.

Ira Stewart Wiesner is a nationally recognized elder law attorney and founder of Advocates in Aging, a multidimensional elder law firm in Sarasota, Florida. He has lectured frequently and written on the subjects of asset preservation, care-giving of spouses and parents with chronic illnesses, drafting special needs trusts for disabled children and financing long-term care.

Mr. Wiesner is Board Certified as a Specialist in Elder Law. He holds a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M) degree from the University of Florida and a Masters Degree (M.A.) in Transpersonal Psychology from Naropa University. Ira also has earned Graduate Certificates from the University of South Florida in Advanced Gerontology and from Naropa University in Authentic Leadership.

Ira is a former President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys as well as Past Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. In recognition of his efforts in advancing the legal needs of seniors, Mr. Wiesner has been honored as one of a select group of attorneys nationwide who have been selected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys as well as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Mr. Wiesner was invited to the 1995 White House Conference on Aging and has consulted with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Department of Children and Families. In 1996 Ira was invited to appear on the Today Show to discuss the legal planning issues for seniors. Ira currently serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Academy of Special Needs Planners and is Chair-Elect of the Forum on Religion and Spirituality in Aging of the American Society on Aging.

Daniel Hooper Smith, Esq. is a partner at Advocates in Aging, Law Office of Wiesner Smith PLLC, focusing on Elder Law and Estate Planning, including Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Special Needs Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Supplemental Needs Trusts, Medicaid Planning, Veterans Benefits Planning, Probate Administration and Trust Administration, Planning for Incapacity, Guardianship, Guardian Advocacy, Advance Health Care Directives, Health Care Surrogacy, Living Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Independent and Assisted Living Issues, Skilled Nursing Home Issues and related matters. Daniel is licensed and in good standing to practice law in Florida and Virginia. Daniel is also a VA Accredited Attorney.

Daniel received his law degree with honors from the George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, Virginia. While in law school, he was an Articles Editor for the George Mason Law Review, a Writing Fellow in the Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis program, and was selected to be a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Clinic.

During law school, Daniel interned for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C and the Alabama Securities Commission in Montgomery, Alabama, helping to bring justice to victims of financial fraud and abuse. Prior to joining Advocates in Aging, Daniel completed a federal judicial clerkship with the Honorable Paul M. Black of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Roanoke, Virginia. Following his clerkship, Daniel practiced at a distinguished law firm in Roanoke.

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