Sarah A. Chussler

Sarah A. Chussler is a Partner at Abrams Fensterman, LLP and is a member of the firm’s Mental Health Law Practice Group. Her practice focuses on Mental Health and Elder Law, representing private clients, healthcare professionals, and major hospital systems in Article 9 proceedings for involuntary psychiatric treatment and retention hearings, Kendra’s Law applications (Assisted Outpatient Treatment), Mental Hygiene Warrants, as well as in elder planning matters. These include the preparation and execution of Advanced Directives and Article 81 Guardianship proceedings.

Ms. Chussler’s interest in elder law began when she was young and volunteered and later worked in nursing homes. Her prior legal experience in elder law, Medicaid planning, matrimonial law, and civil litigation allows her to identify potential issues which may arise within the context of a Guardianship proceeding to best guide clients and advocate for their interests. Ms. Chussler frequently receives court appointments pursuant to Part 36 of the Rules of the Chief Judge of the New York State Unified Court System in Guardianship matters in multiple counties as Court Evaluator, Counsel for Alleged Incapacitated Persons, and Counsel to Guardians.

Ms. Chussler obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, she served as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Arthur M. Diamond of the Supreme Court of Nassau County. Following law school, Ms. Chussler served as a Fellow with the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida. She received her B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University and interned for the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office while in college.

Ms. Chussler was selected as a “Rising Star” in New York Elder Law by “Super Lawyers” in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Each year, no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Ms. Chussler was selected to the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” for Elder Law each year from 2021 through 2025, and for Health Care Law each year from 2021 through 2025.

Ms. Chussler is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association where she is a member of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section and the Health Law Section. Within the Elder Law and Special Needs Section, she is currently a Vice Chair of the Mental Health Law Committee, the immediate past Vice Chair of the Elder Abuse Committee, and she is a member of the Guardianship Committee. Ms. Chussler is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Elder Law Committee for the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY).