Thomas Smith Law Firm Little Rock AR

12/24/2025

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🌲

12/02/2025

📚✨ Happy Special Education Day! ✨📚

Today we honor the educators, families, specialists, and advocates who champion inclusive learning and ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive.

As we celebrate the anniversary of IDEA, we also recognize the ongoing need to protect these rights, advocate for strong supports, and uplift the educators and families who make inclusion real every day.

Here’s to continuing the work toward an educational system where every student can learn, grow, and succeed.

11/21/2025

📰 New Issue of The Voice®: Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities

We’re excited to share the latest issue of The Voice®, featuring insights from SNA member Ashley Shannon Burke, CELA of Burke & Pecquet, LLC in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Emergency preparedness is especially important for individuals with special needs and their families. Taking the time to plan ahead can provide peace of mind and help ensure everyone is ready to respond in a crisis.

Read the full article here: https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/emergency-preparedness-for-people-with-disabilities/

11/01/2025

Throughout October, we’ve been honored to collaborate with the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys to share resources and raise awareness about the importance of special needs planning. Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared our new consumer guide, and helped spread the word in your communities.

As we wrap up the month, remember that supporting individuals with special needs and their families is a year-round commitment. If you haven’t already, download our guide “5 Things You Need to Know About Special Needs Planning” and continue to share it with those who may benefit.

Let’s keep the momentum going—stay connected for more resources and updates from the Special Needs Alliance and NAELA!

📔 Download the guide: https://lnkd.in/gzYUFrdt

💡 Learn more about NAELA: https://naela.org/

09/18/2025

My platform is all about people. Like any organization the school is only as good as the people working there.

09/18/2025

Dear Colleague, Effective September 30, in accordance with Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account, federal benefit …

09/10/2025

SNA Fiduciary Counsel Member, Rachel Baer, J.D., will be presenting a webinar, "Protecting Vulnerable Plaintiffs", hosted by the Society of Women Trial Lawyers on September 23rd at 3 PM EDT.

When a plaintiff has a disability or injury, is a minor, or is otherwise vulnerable, assessing their specific needs is essential. This includes determining whether they have a disability, are receiving or applying for means-tested government benefits, or are minors or over the age of 65.

Rachel's presentation will cover:

🔹 Pooled First-Party Special Needs Trusts vs. standalone trusts
🔹 Medicaid (traditional & expansion), SSI, and SSDI essentials
🔹 Steps to safeguard critical benefits
🔹 Medicare Set-Asides (MSAs) & structured settlements
🔹 Coordinating trusts with settlement tools & navigating court orders

Learn more here: https://www.swtl.org/upcomingwebinars/0923-25

09/10/2025

A groundbreaking moment of representation.

The late disability justice co-founder and activist Stacey Park Milbern is the latest pioneering woman to receive her own quarter from the United States Mint. Milbern is the first woman in a wheelchair featured on U.S. currency and the first person whose wheelchair is actually shown.

This is more than a coin—it’s a symbol of visibility, advocacy, and progress.

Read the full article: "What it means to have a woman in a wheelchair featured on U.S. currency" from The 19th News by following the link in the comments!

09/05/2025

Discover Removing Barriers, a compelling board game featured in BBC News that turns disability awareness into an immersive experience. Designed to simulate the everyday hurdles faced by individuals with disabilities, the game invites players to strategize, empathize, and reflect on how accessible environments can transform lives.

Brilliantly blending play and purpose, Removing Barriers shows that interactive learning can spark meaningful dialogue—and change.

Let’s champion creativity in advocacy. Who’s ready for a game night with impact?

🎲 Read the full article by following the link in the comments! 👇

08/25/2025

It’s an honor to be a part of the SNA Special Needs Alliance for 5 years.

🌟 SNA Membership Tenure Spotlight Series 🌟

Our journey of recognition continues! This week, we celebrate 5-year tenured members—attorneys who have dedicated the past five years to advancing the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities and their families through their work with the Special Needs Alliance.

👏 Please join us in recognizing these valued members who have stood with SNA for 5 years:

Margaret A. Graham, Esq. (Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC)
Matthew Smith, Esq. (Elder Law Lawyers - Lexington)
Thomas E. Smith, Esq. (Thomas Smith Law Firm Little Rock AR)

Their ongoing commitment reflects the heart of our mission—building a trusted community of legal advocates making a meaningful impact nationwide.

We thank these members for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to the SNA community.