The name of Attorney Daniel J. Jurkovic of West Milford is included in the New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine newly published listing of “Super Lawyers” for 2011. The prestigious annual publication for people in the legal field uses three distinct phases in completing the selection process.
After creation of a candidate pool is finalized the research department evaluates each candidate. The final step is a review of the candidates by their peers within their primary area of practice. Together the three steps create a system of checks and balances that produce a well-rounded list of attorneys, according to an explanation in the 2011 issue of the magazine describing the process.
Candidates are evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Evaluations are based on information gathered from a variety of sources. The research department searches biographies on law firm Web sites, online and database sources, legal periodicals and any other available sources.
Jurkovic specializes in the areas of Elder Law, guardianships, disability planning and estate planning. His office is located in Rutherford. He has been granted the title of Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, after demonstrating through comprehensive testing and documentation of actual cases handled, that he has a solid foundation in the complex issues affecting the elderly and disabled in America today. This certification has been approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court and accredited by the American Bar Association.
Jurkovic is a graduate of Pace University School of Law, where, in addition to his Juris Doctorate, he received a Certificate of Health Law Policy. He holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations, with a specialization in Negotiating Strategy, from Cornell University and City University of New York at Baruch College.
In 2004, Jurkovic served as lead attorney on the amicus curiae brief submitted on behalf of the Guardianship Association of New Jersey, Inc. and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys before the New Jersey Supreme Court in the matter of the Guardianship of Keri, which established the right of guardians of incapacitated persons to use substituted judgment to carry out Medicaid planning for their wards. Jurkovic is a frequent speaker and has spoken before the New Jersey State Bar Association, County Bar Associations, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, and numerous local social and civic organizations.
He served for many years as a member of the West Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment and currently serves as a Township of West Milford Council member.
Jurkovic became interested in the field of “Elder Law” when studying for his Master’s degree in Industrial and Labor relations. He told Aim West Milford that this was a time when Health Care costs were becoming a huge labor relations issue.
“So, when I entered law school, I studied for a certificate in Health Law policy. When I graduated and began working my own father was suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and an Elder Law attorney who worked at a firm I was contracting with at the time, offered me a position on his staff. As I began working for him I recognized the invaluable assistance we were providing to real people in what many times is the darkest time of their lives. I represent Mom and Dad, brother and sister, and their children. I have the best clients in the world,” said Jurkovic.
Asked by Aim West Milford to describe the traits that an “Elder Law” attorney needs to have, Jurkovic responded, “We like to deal ‘holistically’ with our clients in talking about long-term planning for health care and financial viability; family dynamics, health care and long-term care decisions, personal values and personal preferences. We also assist with locating the appropriate type of care, coordinating private and public resources to finance the cost of care, and working to ensure our clients’ right to quality care.”
He continued, “We often enlist a network of professionals to assure the highest quality of life and care, while promoting dignity, self-determination, individuality and independence of individuals who are elderly or disabled. This involves not only legal knowledge of very complex health care laws, financial laws, tax law, and constitutional law, but also traits often associated with social workers, such as compassion, empathy, and most importantly navigating diverse family dynamics and interpersonal relationships in time of crisis.”
There are over 79,000 lawyers in the state of New Jersey and to be selected with the one or two percent of those professionals on the super lawyer list is an honor that Jurkovic is indeed proud of.