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 institutions and professionals in Article 9 involuntary psychiatric treatment and retention hearings, Kendra’s Law applications (Assisted Outpatient Treatment), and 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 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 is eligible for and receives court appointments in Guardianship matters in various counties, as Court Evaluator, Counsel for alleged incapacitated persons, and Counsel to the Guardian.
Prior to joining Abrams Fensterman, Ms. Chussler represented individuals and institutional clients in Article 81 Guardianship proceedings, challenged inadequate Medicaid determinations, prepared Advanced Directives and estate planning documents, and handled Estate Administration matters; including Kinship proceedings. Additionally, Ms. Chussler represented private clients in divorce proceedings and Family Court proceedings, and she represented corporate clients in civil litigation matters.
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, and assisted the judiciary in Adoption and Small Estate proceedings. 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” 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 has been selected to the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” for Elder and Health Care Law 2021 and 2022.
Ms. Chussler is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.
Bar Admissions
- New York, 2013
- Florida (inactive), 2011
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D.
- Pennsylvania State University, B.A.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- New York State Bar Association
- Nassau County Bar Association
- Brooklyn Bar Association
Publications
- When Decisions by Authorized Representatives are not in the Patient’s Best Interest, MD News Long Island Edition, (February 2018), Author