Geraldine E. Champion is one of only nine attorneys in California dually certified in Estate Planning and Elder Law. Champion is a *Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Nationally, Champion is a **Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, accredited by the American Bar Association. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), served on the Board of Directors from 1992-1995 and also served as Treasurer from 1996-1998. Champion received a B.A. (summa cum laude) (Phi Beta Kappa) and an M.A. in Communications from the State University of New York at Albany, and a J.D. from Boston University Law School. She has an "A.V." (the highest) rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Champion was honored by the Area Agency on Aging's award for "Media Advocate of the Year" for her radio program, "Senior Focus." Also, Champion is a licensed real estate broker and a member of the San Luis Obispo and California Association of REALTORS®.

*"Certification was established with public protection and professional competence in mind. It encourages attorney competence by providing the means for attorneys who wish to do so to obtain a professional credential that recognizes their proficiency. At the same time, it helps the public identify attorneys who are proficient in a particular area of law by providing a method of certification based on objective criteria." California Board of Legal Specialization statement of purpose.

**"Certification, while voluntary, has become an accepted measure of excellence within the American legal community." Wes Avery, 2008 National Roundtable on Lawyer Specialty Certification, sponsored by the American Bar Association.