Mr. Chu has dedicated his career to Elder Law, with extensive experience spanning over three decades. Since 1990, he has specialized in Medicaid eligibility and government entitlements, making him a trusted authority in the field.
Douglas Chu is a highly respected Elder Law attorney with more than three decades of experience assisting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families in navigating the complexities of Medicaid eligibility and government benefits. Since 1990, Mr. Chu has focused his legal career on helping clients secure access to critical long-term care resources while protecting their financial stability and preserving family assets.
Mr. Chu is widely recognized for his deep knowledge of Medicaid regulations and government entitlement programs. His practice centers on Medicaid eligibility planning, long-term care planning, government benefits advocacy, and legal strategies that help individuals qualify for essential services while maintaining financial security. Through careful planning and strategic guidance, Mr. Chu assists families in understanding the complex rules surrounding Medicaid home care, nursing home coverage, and related elder care benefits.
Before joining Hynes & Chu LLP, Mr. Chu served as the Senior Staff Attorney at the Brookdale Center on Aging at Hunter College from 1990 to 1999. During this time, he also directed the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program at Selfhelp Community Services, Inc., where he worked extensively to help seniors and vulnerable individuals access government benefits and legal protections. His work in these roles played an important part in improving access to services for aging New Yorkers and strengthening advocacy efforts for older adults.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Chu is widely respected as an educator and thought leader in the field of Elder Law. He has been invited to present at numerous New York State Bar Association programs over the years, sharing his expertise with attorneys and legal professionals in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2019. His presentations often focus on Medicaid eligibility, long-term care planning strategies, and developments in elder law policy.
Since 1998, Mr. Chu has delivered monthly lectures on Medicaid home care applications at CaringKind (formerly the Alzheimer’s Association of New York City). Through these educational programs, he has helped countless families understand the legal and financial options available to them when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related conditions.
Mr. Chu also frequently speaks at national conferences, including programs hosted by the National Constitution Center Audio Conference Series, where he provides continuing legal education to attorneys across the United States. His ability to translate complex legal rules into practical guidance has made him a valued resource for both legal professionals and families seeking reliable information about elder care law.
From 1995 to 2020, Mr. Chu served as Chair of the New York City Citywide Medicaid Advisory Council, a role in which he helped shape Medicaid policy and advocate for improvements to the system serving New York City residents. His leadership within the council contributed to important discussions and recommendations affecting healthcare access for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Mr. Chu has also made significant contributions to legal scholarship. He serves as the Supervising Editor of The New York Elder Law Handbook published by the Practising Law Institute (PLI) and authored the chapter titled “Medicaid for the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled.” As a member of the PLI teaching faculty and Chair of the PLI Annual New York Elder Law Institute, he continues to educate attorneys and professionals about developments in elder law and Medicaid planning.
In addition to his professional practice and publications, Mr. Chu has dedicated time to legal education as an Adjunct Professor, teaching elder law–related courses at CUNY Law School and Long Island University. His commitment to teaching reflects his passion for mentoring the next generation of attorneys and strengthening the field of elder law.
Mr. Chu’s contributions to the legal community have been widely recognized. He has been selected to the Super Lawyers directory for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, an honor that reflects peer recognition and professional achievement in the legal field.
Through decades of legal practice, policy advocacy, teaching, and public education, Douglas Chu has built a reputation as a trusted authority in Medicaid planning and elder law. His dedication to helping individuals access essential benefits and protect their long-term well-being continues to make a meaningful impact on families throughout New York.
Contact Hynes & Chu, LLP today to schedule an initial consultation—because the sooner you start planning, the greater the peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
At Hynes & Chu Law LLP, we specialize in estate planning, elder law, and asset protection — providing personalized legal solutions with care, integrity, and experience.
