Leslie Barnett, a sole practitioner, is a 1992 graduate of Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Prior to attending Loyola, Leslie received a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University and earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, Fresno. She worked in the area of Adoptions until she found she preferred working as a geriatric social worker. With her fifteen years prior experience as a geriatric social worker, she has the unique combination of education, experience and expertise which allows her to give individualized assistance in planning for current and future needs of the aging, the disabled and their families. Her practice is limited to the varying issues presented in elder law and special needs with emphasis on estate planning, special needs trusts, powers of attorney, probate, trust administration, conservatorships, other protective proceedings and public benefit eligibility.
In addition to her law degree, Leslie received her Certification as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) through the National Elder Law Foundation in 2002. Leslie is a co-author of a chapter in the much- acclaimed book Special Needs Trusts: Planning, Drafting, and Administration published by the California Continuing Education of the Bar. Leslie holds memberships in various local Bar associations. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the National Elder Law Foundation and is a charter member of the Academy of Special Needs Trust Planners.
With her knowledge of elder care issues and legal matters for older and disabled California residents, Leslie has served on the board for the Alzheimer’s Association and the Center for Health Care Rights, and was a past president of the Southern California Council of Elder Law Attorneys. Furthermore, in 2010, she was elected to serve on the Mid City West Community Council, a certified neighborhood council in Los Angeles, California, that advises agencies, city departments and other municipal groups on community matters. In 2013, she choose not to run for reelection.
Leslie Barnett has been selected by her peers to SuperLawyers in the area of Elder Law continuously for the last ten years and the last four years has been selected as a Top Women Lawyer also in the area of Elder Law.
Her office location in close proximity to downtown Los Angeles allows easy access to most areas of Los Angeles County.
In her spare time Leslie has varied interests including theater, opera and other types of music. Leslie enjoys traveling with her most adventurous travel being to the Antarctic and Vietnam. She has made frequent trips to Israel. She is an avid reader and looks forward to the monthly meeting of her book group.