Marielle F. Hazen
Marielle F. Hazen, CELA is a distinguished attorney, renowned for her unwavering commitment to elder and special needs planning law, estate and trust planning, asset protection planning, and estate administration. As the founder of Hazen Law Group LLC in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Marielle has dedicated her career to protecting the rights and addressing the legal needs of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families.
A trailblazer in her field, Marielle is nationally recognized as a specialist in elder law and special needs planning. Since 2001, she has been certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, the only organization accredited by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), currently as the Secretary and Co-Chair of the Federal Advocacy Committee. Marielle is also an elected Fellow of NAELA, a distinction signifying the highest honor from her peers.
Marielle is a founding member and Past President of the Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA) and has chaired the Elder Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is a Past President and current member of the Special Needs Alliance, a national nonprofit association of lawyers practicing in the areas of special needs, disability and elder law. She was elected as a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a nonprofit association of lawyers established in 1949. ACTEC members are elected to the college by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience as trust and estate counselors.
Marielle’s impact is not limited to her legal practice; she has played a crucial role in legislative advocacy activities, representing her clients’ interests through various organizations, including PAELA, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Elder Law Section, the Special Needs Alliance, and NAELA. Her commitment is further exemplified by her role as Secretary of the NAELA Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Federal Advocacy Committee, where she actively engages in federal advocacy work on issues such as tax reform, Medicaid estate recovery, guardianships, SECURE Act, and Medicaid eligibility.
Recognized for her exceptional contributions, Marielle received the NAELA John J. Regan Writing Award in 2018 for her insightful article, “The Fiduciary Pitfalls of Managing Special Needs Trusts That Own Real Estate.” Her commitment to promoting understanding and advocacy for the elderly and those with special needs was further acknowledged with the NAELA Powley Elder Law Award in 2014.
Under Marielle’s leadership, Hazen Law Group LLC has earned accolades as one of the top law firms in the country by U.S. News and World Report. She has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in elder law every year since 2008 and is a Lawyer of the Year honoree for 2024. With an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Marielle is recognized for reaching the highest standards of professional excellence.
Marielle’s dedication extends beyond her legal practice. She has volunteered as a Guardian Monitor for the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin County and actively participated in civic and charitable activities, including the Elder Abuse Task Force for Dauphin County.
Her extensive involvement in educational programs and trainings reflects her commitment to empowering communities with knowledge on topics ranging from Medicaid to guardianships. She is an in-demand speaker in estate and elder law issues, having given hundreds of presentations for professional, legal and community groups.
