Prepare for one of Oregon's most rewarding and in-demand legal specialties.
“Employers consistently seek graduates who can ‘hit the ground running.’ This program gives you the doctrinal grounding, client-facing experience, and professional judgment to do exactly that.”
Students in the Certificate in Elder and Estate Planning Law program complete a blend of doctrinal and experiential courses that build both deep legal knowledge and practical readiness for client work. The certificate requires 14 credits, including Trusts and Estates and a selection of courses such as Elder Law, Trusts and Estates Clinic, Client Interviewing and Counseling, and Will and Trust Drafting, among others.
Willamette’s faculty combine deep doctrinal expertise with decades of practice experience in estate and elder law. Learn more about them. Together, they mentor students in developing not only legal acumen but also empathy and professionalism in serving clients at pivotal moments in their lives.
Professor Susan Cook has practiced law in Salem, Oregon, since 1996, concentrating on protective proceedings, estate planning, and probate and trust administration. Her work encompasses wills, trusts, estate and disability planning, guardianships, conservatorships, and probate matters.
At Willamette, learning extends far beyond the classroom. The Trusts and Estates Clinic gives students direct client experience drafting wills, advising on probate matters, and navigating complex family and financial dynamics.
Students also have opportunities to engage with Oregon’s elder community through partnerships with local organizations such as the Lebanon Senior Center or the Confederated Tribes of the Ronde. These experiences provide the ultimate preparation for practice transforming legal theory into advocacy and practice.
Willamette Law students can get involved in organizations such as the Family Law and Child Advocacy Association (FLCAA), which connects students interested in family and child law through educational events, volunteer opportunities, and professional networking. Students can also join the Health Law and Policy Society (HeLPS), a group dedicated to exploring legal and policy issues in health care, fostering connections with practitioners, and supporting coursework and careers in health and elder law.
Body: Students are required to complete a total of 14 course hours in addition to a capstone. Students can complete their capstone requirement in one of two ways: (1) complete the graduation writing requirement in a course that is both certificate-approved and GWR-approved; or (2) complete an experiential learning course that is both certificate-approved and experiential-learning-approved.
Only current students can apply to our certificate program. In their online application, students must attest to their academic good standing and provide a 250-word personal statement explaining why they wish to pursue their certificate. The director may cap the size of the program, based on advising capacity and capstone course availability. Please contact the Program Director for further information.
Willamette University