Hendersonville, TN — Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning is proud to announce that attorney Joshua Hunter has been named the recipient of the 2026 NAELA John J. Regan Writing Award by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the leading professional association dedicated to improving the quality of legal services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Presented annually, the award recognizes exceptional authorship and thought leadership in the NAELA Journal. It honors the legacy of John J. Regan, a founding NAELA member and pioneer in elder law whose leadership helped shape NAELA’s ethical and holistic culture. The award seeks to inspire continued excellence and innovation in scholarly contributions to the elder and special needs law community.
Hunter’s article explores the viability of “constructive removal” as a new avenue to address systemic and strategic denials of Medicare benefits. Hunter stated “While I am thankful for this award, I am sorry our Medicare system has allowed people to be harmed by this due process violation. Now we must do something about it.”
Hunter’s commitment to serving older adults and vulnerable populations began long before his legal career. He joined Johnson McGinnis in 2018 as a public benefits specialist, bringing years of hands-on experience supporting older adults and their families throughout Tennessee. Hunter went on to attend the Nashville School of Law, where he graduated at the top of his class in 2024 and now serves as an adjunct professor mentoring future attorneys. His practice at Johnson McGinnis focuses on thoughtful, compassionate estate planning and elder law services, where he continues to make a meaningful impact on clients, families, and the broader community.
“Josh’s recognition with the NAELA John J. Regan Writing Award reflects his unwavering commitment to advocating for older adults and vulnerable individuals,” said Barbara McGinnis, Partner of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning. “We are incredibly proud of the meaningful impact he continues to make on our clients and the elder law profession.”
About Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, PLLC
Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, PLLC assists clients in
responding to the legal, financial, and personal challenges of aging, chronic illness, and
disability. Based in Hendersonville, Tennessee, with a satellite office in Cookeville, the firm serves clients throughout Middle Tennessee. For more information, visit www.tn-elderlaw.com or call 615.824.2571.
About NAELA
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) is the leading professional association dedicated to improving the quality of legal services for older Americans and individuals with disabilities. With more than 4,000 members and 32 active state chapters, NAELA provides elder and special needs law attorneys with education, advocacy, community, and the resources they need to better serve their clients. Learn more at NAELA.org.
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