Susana Lannik

Susana founded Lannik Law in 1991, converting what had been a general law practice into an Elder Law and Estate Planning practice focusing on the legal and care needs of seniors and their families. This "turn on a dime" conversion of a general practice to the Elder Law specialty was inspired by one couple who feared loss of everything they ever earned due to a dementing illness of one of them. The family was looking to her for help, and although she understood how to draft an estate plan-a plan for what happens to your assets when you die-- she was startled to realize that the clients' concerns fell under the category of "What happens if you live and suffer some disability. How do you pay for it without losing everything?"

The unfairness of this family's situation led her to ask them to give her a chance to research their situation to discover where in the law they would find help. In short, this couple inspired Susana to discover Elder Law and at that time, the Medicaid (MassHealth) system. There were few practitioners in the field, and Susana realized that seniors were an underserved or at least a poorly served group. At that time Elder Law focused on the Medicaid (MassHealth) system and how it could be utilized for long-term care assistance while preserving a family's assets for the well spouse and the family in general.

This "new" area of the law was intriguing because Susana knew that she would be exploring uncharted legal territory; and that there was room in this type of practice to expand services (legal and otherwise) to older clients and their families. She knew that there had to be much more that could be done. Thus, Susana never turned back and moved forward to create the full-service practice that she has today. Her specialty areas are listed below.

During the course of her career trajectory, Susana entered into a caregiver role in the case of both her parents. She learned that there are services that are available to assist caregivers and has incorporated this knowledge into her practice as a resource for those who need to care for a parent or a spouse.

Susana received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 1982; she is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and nationally at the U.S. Supreme Court level. Susana is certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, and has a "Superb" (10) AVVO Rating for attorneys. She was also honored by the Leading Lawyers on Estate and Long-Term Care Planning Group as "Superb."

She has served on various non-profit committees and boards in Massachusetts and North Carolina. Some of these include the Newton Chestnut Hill Historic Commission, Boston Ballet Board of Advisors, and Board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

When Susana is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and now grown son. She and her husband have been attending art exhibitions and collecting art for years. She has accompanied her husband on his photo expeditions in the cities and countries ranging across the globe- Boston, New York, Moscow, Havana, London, Italy and France. She recently took on the role of "Sherpa" for her son who spends his non-working time as an avid wildlife photographer. They have explored both Cape Cod and Kenya for the wildlife. Susana also has a background in and love for the Classical Ballet. Her favorite animals are cats and giraffes.

Education

• Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • J.D. - 1982
• Boston University
  • M.A.
• New York University, New York, New York
  • B.A. - 1969

Classes & Seminars

• Taught Courses on Estate Planning and Elder Law, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Taught Courses on Estate Planning and Elder Law, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education
• Guest Speaker, NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees)
• Guest Speaker, Senior Centers
• Guest Speaker, Falls at Cordingly Dam
• A View of the Future of Medicaid (MassHealth), 2018

Pro-Bono Activities

• Past events Chair, Local Massachusetts NAELA
• Past Board Member for University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• Current Board Member: Boston Ballet Board of Advisors
• Newton, Chestnut Hill Historic Committee, Current

Past Positions

• Law Office of Susana Lannik (Lannik Law, LLC), Owner, 2006 - present
• Arber, Lannik, Badaloto, LLP, Partner, 1982 to 2003

Publications 

• How to Keep Long-Term Care From Devouring Assets, The Jewish Advocate, October, 2010
• What is Preplanning and Why Bother With It, Brookline Senior News, March, 2010
• Co-author, Bloopers Episodes in Estate Planning and Elder
 Law
• Co-author, Estate Planning Magazine, Long-Term Care Insurance
• Blooper Episodes in Estate Planning and Elder Law
• Co-Editor for the 2024 and 2025 Elder Law Education Guide, Chapter 4 on Retirement Planning published by the MassBar Association with the collaboration of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Bar Admissions

• Massachusetts, 1982
• U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Associations

• Wealth Counsel, LLC member
• National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)
• Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA)
• NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys), Member

Professional Certifications

• Certified Elder Law Attorney

Current Employment Position

• Founder

Honors

• “Superb” AVVO rating for attorneys
• “Superb” Leading Lawyers in Estate Planning and Long-Term Care