Over thirty years ago, Thom Cooper created the law firm that would become Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates with the goal of representing seniors in a way that maximized their independence and minimized the stress and burden placed on loved ones. Since then, Attorney Cooper has provided educational seminars throughout Ohio to spread the word about estate planning and elder law. He has helped thousands of seniors and their families find public benefits to protect and preserve their assets. Thom was among the first 19 attorneys in Ohio to receive Dual Certification as an Elder Law Specialist by both the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) and the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA). Additionally, he was among the charter members certified by NELF in 1995.Attorney Cooper is rated “Superb” by Avvo which is a national organization that rates 95% of the attorneys in the US and considers years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition. He has devoted a portion of his practice to assisting veterans and their surviving spouses and been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. and is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.Thom is a past president of the American Association of Trust, Estate and Elder Law Attorneys (AATEELA), an invitation-only, nationwide professional association and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Thom and his wife, Kathy, who also works at Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates, live in Centerburg. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Their older daughter, Michol, is a Vascular Surgeon and Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. Their younger daughter, Lauren, received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law and is a Partner with Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates.