Doris Gelbman

Gelbman Law, PLLC
Ms. Gelbman enjoyed success in two nonlegal careers before returning to school and then law school. Following law school, Ms. Gelbman went to work for a large law firm in Boston and spent time in the litigation department honing her new legal skills under the supervision of senior, experienced lawyers. In mid-2009 she relocated to Virginia to care for her parents in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was in this transition that Ms. Gelbman learned about the difficulties faced by the aging and their families. She learned that when the elderly – or their adult children – have an advocate, the older adult (and their family members) can concentrate on what is far more important: getting better and maintaining the best possible quality of life. After success stabilizing her own parents’ situation, she decided to help those who were having difficulty helping themselves. In late 2009, Gelbman decided to turn her practice to taking on the role of advocate for others. While waiting for her Virginia law license, she assisted in editing the latest edition of the definitive Massachusetts Practice manual’s section on Elder Law, working with Massachusetts’ most experienced elder law attorneys. After successfully passing the Virginia Bar Exam, Ms. Gelbman opened her own practice and within a single year, developed a thriving practice and remains in high demand. She appears monthly at the Center at Belvedere (formerly The Senior Center) She is a guest lecturer for the University of Virginia’s Law School Elder Law Clinic on issues related to mental capacity. She also frequently teaches at conferences and Continuing Legal Education on mental capacity, elder abuse, and surrogate decision making. She is an active member the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and its Virginia chapter, VAELA She is also a member of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Bar Association (CABA), serving as the chair of the Elder Law Sections and is a member of and the Women’s Bar section.