Carmelle Robillard, Esq. is the Principal Attorney at Robillard Law. Her practice includes Elder Law, Estate Planning, Estate Administration & Probate, Guardianship, Medicaid Planning, and Real Estate. Carmelle is a certified part 36 Fiduciary trained to serve as Counsel and Court Evaluator in Supreme Court Guardianship Matters, and she also serves as a Hearing Officer for the NYCTA Transit Adjudication Bureau.
Carmelle earned her B.A. in Speech Communications and Rhetorical Studies from Hofstra University, M.A. in Speech & Interpersonal Communications from New York University, M.S. in Elementary Education at CUNY Brooklyn College, and her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University.
Carmelle started her practice in Elder Law because of her longstanding commitment and passion for the elderly, which was born out of her childhood relationship with her great-grandmother. During her early childhood and adolescent years, Carmelle enjoyed spending time with her great-grandmother during monthly overnight visits and summer vacations. Together, they enjoyed cooking, talking, and watching her great-grandmother’s favorite television show, WWE Wrestling. This close relationship developed a sense of compassion for the elderly in Carmelle, which would inspire her future career in Elder Law. In her practice, Carmelle creates an environment where families can feel emotionally safe, heard, and understood. She aims to bring a sense of peace and security to her clients and their families lives.
Prior to her Law career, Carmelle taught Elementary School grades Pre-K through 6th grade and Undergraduate Speech Communications. She is a certified NYS Elementary School Teacher who taught for seven years in her childhood community of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. In her Law practice, Carmelle applies many of the skills she developed as an Educator. Her consultations are more like a teaching session, where she patiently listens to clients’ concerns and encourages open communication to learn about her clients’ hopes and goals. When she has gathererd enough information to understand their needs, she explains the law, breaks down estate plans, and provides a variety of options. Her goal is to have well informed clients to make the best possible decision for themselves and their families.
In the legal community, Carmelle is actively involved in several Bar Associations. She is the Treasurer for The Caribbean American Lawyers Association. She is an active member of the Elder Law and Wills, Trusts & Estates section of the New York State Bar Association, a member of The Nassau Bar Association, The Brooklyn Bar Association, and The Haitian American Lawyers Association of New York.
In her free time, Carmelle loves reading books and has been a Page One Book Club member for the past 15 years. She also conducts Elder Law presentations at local churches and makes guest appearances on Caribbean podcasts.