Richard J. Shapiro J.D., CELA, CAP

Born in Middletown, N.Y., Richard Shapiro heads the firm's Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law department. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as accredited by the American Bar Association, and is one of fewer than 40 attorneys in New York State to achieve that prestigious Certifcation. Mr. Shapiro has pioneered in the Hudson Valley the use of the Legacy Assurance Program, a system that incorporates an annual maintenance program as an essential part of a client's estate plan. Mr. Shapiro also counsels high net worth clients and business owners in creating tax efficient legacy plans, which are designed to ensure that the client's values are passed to future generations. A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, he is a member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. In 2017 Archway Publishing released Mr. Shapiro's book, Secure Your Legacy: Estate Planning and Elder Law for Today's American Family. Mr. Shapiro has received an "AV Preeminent" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has a perfect 10.0 rating at www.avvo.com. Mr. Shapiro frequently writes on estate planning topics for local and national publications. In addition to serving as attorney for the Town of Minisink, he is actively involved in community affairs, including his current role as a Director for the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan County, and serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Orange Regional Medical Center from 2006 through 2008. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Richard J. Shapiro J.D., CELA, CAP included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Selected to New York Super Lawyers - 2014 - 2021 Selected to Top 25 Hudson Valley Super Lawyers - 2021 AV Preeminent Rating -- Martindale-Hubbell 10.0 Rating - AVVO.com Other Sources of Feedback About Richard J. Shapiro J.D., CELA, CAP Included on the 2025Upstate New York Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2024 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2023 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2020 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2019 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2018 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2017 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2016 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2015 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list 2014 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list

• Partner

• Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, Washington D.C., Associate, 1989 - 1991
• Crowell & Moring, Washington D.C., Associate, 1988 - 1989
• Town of Minisink, Acting Justice

• Elder Care in New York -- Legal and Financial Issues, National Business Institute, May 12, 2005
• How to Draft Effective Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute, November 17, 2005
• Resolving Legal and Financial Issues in Elder Law, National Business Institute, May 15, 2007
• Estate Planning and Long-Term Care Options for Elderly Clients, National Business Institute, November 28, 2007
• Top Ten Estate Planning Techniques, National Business Institute, May 20, 2009
• Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute, May 6, 2010
• Estate Planning Basics, National Business Institute, May 16, 2011
• Top Ten Estate Planning Techniques, National Business Institute, June 26, 2012

• Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, November 15, 2012 - Present
• Orange Regional Medical Center
• Ancillary Businesses
• Exit Planning Solutions, LLC

• Pennsylvania, 1988
• New York, 1991
• U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1991
• Specialties and Certifications
• Certified Elder Law Attorney, National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), 2017

• Middletown Bar Association, 1996 (President)
• Orange County Bar Association (Member)
• New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section (Member)
• New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section (Member)
• Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council (Member)
• Cornell University Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, 1995 - Present (Member)
• Cornell University Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, 1995 - 1996 (Regional Chairperson)
• Horton Medical Center, 1999 - 2002 (Trustee)
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Member)
• Willkill East Rotary Club, 1999 - 2000 (Member, President)
• Brittany Miller Foundation, 1996 - 1998 (President)
• Brittany Miller Foundation, 1996 - 2000 (Board of Directors)
• Orange Regional Medical Center, 2002 - 2011 (Trustee)
• Southwinds Retirement Home, 2003 - 2006 (Director)
• Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County (Member, Endowment Committee)
• WealthCounsel (Member)
• ElderCounsel (Member)
• Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Counties Professional Advisors Council
• Fraternities and Sororities
• Phi Kappa Psi