2018-19 PBA Elder Law Section Chair Dionysios C. Pappas
and Excellence in Elder Law Award honoree Pamela Walz
HARRISBURG (July 31, 2019) — Pamela Walz, a supervising attorney for Community Legal Services of Philadelphia’s Aging and Disabilities Unit, received the Excellence in Elder Law Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Elder Law Section during the Elder Law Institute, July 18 and 19, at the Hilton Harrisburg.
The award recognizes an individual who has made superior efforts in the field of elder law, significant contributions to the elder law bar and noteworthy service to the elderly.
At Community Legal Services, Walz represents low-income older adults and younger adults with disabilities in matters involving access to publicly funded long-term care services and supports issues concerning nursing facilities and personal care homes, public benefits and guardianship.
As a member of the Coalition for Personal Care Home Reform, Walz has worked to achieve stronger licensing standards and more effective licensing enforcement for personal care homes. She also serves a consumer advocate on the Long-Term Care Subcommittee of the Department of Human Services Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, as well as a member of the Mental Health Advisory Committee of the Disability Rights Network and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts.
A former trainer with the AARP National Training Project, Walz conducted trainings across the country on nursing home law.
In recognition of her outstanding work and advocacy efforts, Walz received the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Excellence Award in 2012, the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly Spirit of CARIE Award in 2011 and Community Legal Services Equal Justice Award in 2007.
Walz graduated from the University of California, San Diego, and received a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access of legal services; and serve the lawyer members of the state’s largest organized bar association.