2011 40 Under Forty: Elise S. Kopley
ASSOCIATE, Fletcher Tilton PC
Company location: Worcester/ Framingham
Residence: Medford
Favorite color: I do not discriminate when it comes to color; the more the merrier!
Age: 32
Career highlights: When I was in law school, I spent a summer in Ireland studying human rights law. I interned at the Joint Committee on Housing at the State House where I worked on housing initiatives for the elderly, disabled and low income.
At Boston University School of Law I represented indigent clients in civil litigation matters. Prior to private practice, I was assistant general counsel at the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services.
Today, my practice is dedicated to assisting families with an elderly or disabled member. I work with families on their estate planning, special needs planning and elder law planning needs.
Community involvement: I sit on the board of Greater Marlboro Programs Inc. (GMPI), a nonprofit that provides services to the developmentally disabled. I am also a board member of the Massachusetts Guardianship Association, a younger organization that has promoted and continues to advance positive change in the area of guardianship/conservatorship in Massachusetts. I also volunteer my time with the Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association.
I participate in Fletcher Tilton’s partnership with Discovering Justice and Citizens Schools to introduce inner city kids to the justice system in a positive way. One of my Worcester students was featured at this year’s annual Discovering Justice gala and I am keeping my eye on him because I know he is moving on to greatness.
Biggest success: I represented a young man who had just entered adulthood with renal failure. Because of his disability, treatment was not going to be easy. He had such a challenging existence and his mother/guardian had given up all hope. She was convinced that refusing treatment was the right answer.
I was able to work with the court, the mother and doctors to develop an alternative plan. That plan was successful and saved his life.
Biggest challenge: One of the biggest challenges for me has been handling matters without getting frustrated with the legal system, no matter the side I represent.
It can be upsetting to work within a law that is one way, when I know it should be another. On the other hand, I suppose this is what motivates me. Sometimes I have to remind myself to take a long view — each case adds up and change takes time.
Mentors: When I first passed the bar, I was working as a paralegal with John Geenty Jr., a Worcester attorney who reinforced the importance of ethics in the practice of law. To this day, I call him for advice and consider him the truest moral compass around.
I also have the benefit of some of the best attorneys, across all areas of the law, outside my office door at Fletcher Tilton. I am truly lucky to be part of the team here.
Hidden talent: I have many hobbies that vary greatly, but I don’t think I would call them talents. My husband and I recently renovated our home, by ourselves. I don’t think I will ever do it again, but it was rewarding.
The problem with hidden talents is that they are hard to find! I once thought I located a talent that was trying to elude me, but alas, I lost it.
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