VIRGINIA ELDER LAW ATTORNEYS
BILL KOERNER
PRINCIPAL ATTORNEY
BIO
Drafted after earning his JD from Syracuse University College of Law, Bill started practicing in 1970 after a tour with the army in Vietnam. He is a member of the Virginia, District of Columbia, and New York State Bars.
Bill’s career began in the energy industry where he gained comprehensive experience working for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Royal Dutch Shell/Scallop Corporation, and Brady & Berliner Law Firm.
During that time, Bill discovered a passion and a talent for litigation. In 1997, he began a sole, general practice as a trial lawyer, specializing in criminal defense, involuntary mental commitment proceedings, divorce, contract disputes, real estate, landlord/tenant conflicts, debt collection and other matters he later found to be of frequent concern to senior and incapacitated adults.
In 2007, Bill narrowed his focus to elder law. Within that field, ELDER LAW, PLC is particularly dedicated to assuring the best quality of life for seniors, their families and those with special needs through creative planning and effective structuring of estate documents; arranging or providing Guardian and Conservator services in close association with care managers and a wide range of experts to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Outside of the office, Bill enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren. His hobbies include sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, working on his 1923 Model-T Ford, photography, backpacking and travel.
ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
• Virginia Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• New York State Bar Association
• Arlington County Bar Association, past-president (2007-08)
• Arlington County Bar Foundation, past-chairman (2012-13)
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Virginia chapter (“VAELA")
• Elder Law Committees of the Virginia and Arlington County Bar Associations
• Arlington Neighborhood Village member and volunteer
• Doorways for Women and Families, Board member
EDUCATION
Syracuse University College of Law, New York
Juris Doctor (JD), 1968
Brown University, Rhode Island
B.A., American Literature
Primary Education in Canada
Lakefield College School, Lakefield, Ontario
CONTACT
PHONE: (703) 875.8940
EDUCATION
Cornell University
B.S., Business Management 1988
George Mason University School of Law
Juris Doctor (JD), 1991
CONTACT
DIRECT LINE: (703) 887.3372
ELISABETH SWANBERY
ATTORNEY OF COUNSEL
BIO
Elisabeth began her academic career as an electrical engineering major at Cornell, eventually switching to business management. In her final year, several law courses sparked her interest in pursuing a legal career.
Elisabeth's first position, in 1992, involved preparing fiduciary accountings and providing litigation support to an estate planning, employment and bankruptcy attorney. In 2010, she narrowed her focus to elder law, and she has enjoyed her collaboration with Bill Koerner since that time.
She splits her time between her Arlington and Centreville offices and is happy to make house calls.
ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
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Arlington County Bar Association
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Fairfax County Bar Association
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National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Virginia chapter (“VAELA")
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Arlington County Volunteer Guardianship Program (2015 to present)
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Volunteer with Legal Services of Northern Virginia (2014 to present)
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Northern Virginia Pro Bono Law Center: Wills on Wheels Program (2013 to present)
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Honored for Pro Bono Advocacy in June, 2017 by the Arlington County Bar Foundation
SERVICES PROVIDED
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Guardian ad litem for Adults
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Guardianship and Conservatorship Petitions and Administration
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Conservatorship, Trust and Estate Fiduciary Accountings, Simple and Complex
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Wills, Advance Medical Directives, Powers of Attorney and Trusts
DIANE CELIA
OPERATIONS & MARKETING
BIO
Diane Celia came to work with Bill in January 2010. Fresh out of College with a Fine Arts Degree, she didn't have any experience in Law, but had extraordinary organization and computer skills which took the firm to a new level. She implemented her design & computer skills to aid in the foundation of Elder Law, PLC.
Over the course of eight years she worked side by side with Bill to develop client relationships, firm financial management, design and marketing direction and much more. While Diane has a true commitment to the success of the firm, she simultaneously pursued her true passion of photography and design on the side with Bill’s blessing.
In January 2018, Diane and her husband moved to Houston, Texas where she continues to work with Bill as a consultant on management, marketing and design.