Caleb Lihn is an estate planning, elder law, and special needs attorney. The experiences of raising a special needs daughter and caring for a mother with dementia issues inspired Caleb to assist individuals and families in need. Using his knowledge, empathy, and creative solutions, Caleb enjoys guiding his clients through the complex issues they face in the worlds of estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning.
Caleb earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Arizona State University. Subsequently, he obtained his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. After law school, Caleb continued his studies and earned an LL.M. in Estate Planning and Elder Law. Caleb is on the Board of Directors for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“NAELA”) also serving as a member of the NAELA Journal Editorial Board and a member of the Nominations Committee. Caleb is a two-time past President of the Arizona NAELA State Chapter. He is also a past chair of the Executive Council for the Elder Law, Mental Health, and Special Needs Section of the State Bar of Arizona. Caleb serves on the State Bar of Arizona’s Council for Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession. Caleb is a member of the Planned Giving Committee at Desert Botanical Garden.
Through peer nominations and reviews, Caleb was selected to Arizona’s Finest Lawyers and presented with an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell for excellence in legal ability and ethics. Caleb has also been selected as a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine each year since 2019 and a Business Leader in the field of Elder Law by AzBusiness Leaders Magazine each year since 2019.
Caleb is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Western New England University, College of Law and was asked to design and teach a law school course in Special Needs Trust Administration.
Those who know me well say that I’m:
- Laid-Back – I tend to be calm under pressure and operate with the philosophy that all problems have a solution. I practice this approach in both my professional and personal life.
- Calming – Our clients tend to be under a lot of stress and/or have heightened emotions. I keep this front of mind when communicating with clients, whether at their initial consultation, after hiring us, or at the conclusion of their matter.
- Driven – I am extremely goal-oriented. With clients, I engage in dialogue to make ensure we understand their goals and desires. From there, we develop a plan to achieve those goals, whether it’s related to estate planning, special needs, long-term care planning, or probate case.
I chose to become an attorney because My father always wanted to become an attorney and even started law school but had to stop due to life circumstances. My interest in becoming an attorney started from his desire, but grew when I realized as a lawyer, I could advocate for those who could not necessarily fully advocate for themselves.
I believe that…empathy is the most powerful human emotion.
I can…recall from memory, nearly word for word, most conversations I have.
My greatest accomplishment…My youngest daughter was diagnosed in utero with a critical congenital heart defect. My wife and I were told she would need three open-heart surgeries, one immediately after birth. After significant research and advice, we decided to travel to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for her birth and treatment, which meant we had to relocate to Philadelphia for two months, a month before birth and one after for recovery. At that time, as a lawyer, I was a litigator, which meant I helped people fight all day. With the magnitude of what was happening with our daughter and seeing other families in the hospital with their fragile children, I was compelled to do something more with my legal skills. It was then, that I decided to go back to school to earn an advanced legal degree, LL.M., in Estate Planning and Elder Law, and refocus my areas of practice to estate planning, special needs planning, and elder law. In a broad sense, the decision to take Zoe to Philadelphia was responsible for two of my greatest accomplishments: The fact that three heart surgeries later, Zoe is now 12 years old, thriving, and enjoying hanging out with friends, swimming, and playing volleyball; and that I’ve since contributed to building a successful law practice doing what I love and helping individuals and their families.
Quote me: “There is always opportunity in the crisis.”
My next challenge…Remodeling my kitchen and bathrooms.
On my bookshelf: Alexander Hamilton and George Washington, both by Ron Chernow (I’m a bit of an American History nerd.)
Seven words that describe me: Humorous, compassionate, driven, analytical, entrepreneurial, loyal, and talkative.
One thing most people don’t know about me: In college, in the mid-’90s, I was a DJ (“Squiggy”) on an alternative rock (think Nirvana, Green Day, Offspring, etc…) radio station in Phoenix.
I volunteer with…National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative, Hospice of the Valley, State Bar of Arizona, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and Desert Botanical Garden.
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my wife, Stacey, and daughters, Emmy and Zoe; watching Arizona Cardinal games; reading; movies; trying new restaurants; hiking, and traveling.
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