Certified Elder Law Attorney

Phil Lindsley

Attorney Philip P. Lindsley is a widely recognized elder and disability law attorney, and one of few Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in San Diego County. This specialization is accredited by the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California. Mr. Lindsley is also a State Bar of California Certified Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law, and an Accredited Veterans Administration Attorney. He has been rated AV “Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell and a “SuperLawyer,” both based on peer reviews. His experience rating on AVVO is “Superb” with a perfect 10. His practice is limited to Medi-Cal, VA, and asset protection planning, special needs planning, estate planning, conservatorships and alternatives, Life Care Planning, and probate and estate administration. He is licensed to practice in California and has been honored by election to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Phil is a native San Diegan and has been practicing law in San Diego County since 1980. He performed his under-graduate and graduate work in Psychology at San Diego State University and received his law degree from University of San Diego School of Law. Before focusing on Elder and Special Needs Law, he practiced in the related areas of mental health law, pharmaceutical and health care, public health law, probate, estate planning, and estate administration. Phil is a member of the Trust, Probate and Estate Planning sections of the San Diego Bar Associations, and a long-time member of the Bar’s Financial and the Medical Liaison committees. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California Trusts and Estates Section (TEXCOM) and a member of the California Lawyer’s Association.  He is a Founding member of the Board of Directors of the Probate Attorneys of San Diego (PASD). He is a past Chair of the Elder Law Section of the San Diego County Bar, and for five years a Floor Leader of the San Diego County Bar Association’s Probate Section to the California Conference of Delegates of the State Bar of California. Phil was also honored to serve four years as a member of the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission of the State Bar of California.

Phil is a former Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of San Diego School of Law, having taught primarily in the areas of Conservatorship and Mental Health Law. He is currently a Pro Tem Judge for the Central Division of the Probate Court of the Superior Court of San Diego. Phil has worked with many consumer groups and organizations over the years, including the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), Alzheimer’s San Diego, Parkinson’s Disease Association, and the California and San Diego County Mental Health Associations. He is a current board member of the Special Needs Trust Foundation.  He founded San Diego Elder Law Center in 1997. Philip’s expertise in elder, disability and special needs law, and his passion for the needs of elders, those with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers, makes him a frequent and popular speaker to professional and lay groups.

When he is not practicing law, Phil enjoys time spent with his family, friends, and animals. He is an avid reader and a gourmet cook, and enjoys time spent gardening, traveling, keeping his bird feeders stocked, and trying to keep his old ranch house from falling apart.

Areas of Practice

Medi-Cal and Asset Protection Planning
100%
Special Needs Planning
100%
Conservatorships
100%
Estate Planning
100%
Disability Planning
100%
Long Term and Life Care Planning
100%
Probate and Estate Administration
100%
Special Needs Trusts
100%

Accolades

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