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 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 long term services and support 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), the Oakland County Bar Association and the NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys).
Honors earned by Ms. Dudek include: America's Top 50 Lawyers Elder Law 2024, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Powley Elder Law Award in Fall 2005, coveted Fellow Status from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys in Spring 2009, the NAELA CAP (Council of Advanced Practitioners) in 2010, the Michigan Super Lawyers list as one of the top lawyers 2017; DBusiness, Detroit’s Premier Business Journal, named Dudek Top Elder Law Lawyer for 2016; and Best Lawyers named Dudek as Michigan Lawyer of the Year for 2017. She was additionally named to the 2012 and 2013 list of Top Attorneys in Michigan by the New York Times. Dudek has also received a tier 1 ranking from U.S. News – “Best Law Firms” for 2015, 2016, & 2017. In 2016, she was recognized by the American Registry as one of America’s Most Honored Professionals.
Lastly, Ms. Dudek serves as a long-time volunteer board member of The United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Detroit, and is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. These volunteer positions are just some ways Ms. Dudek gives back to the community.
Contact info:
Phone: (248) 254-3462
E-mail: pdudek@pekdadvocacy.com