Our News page highlights recent local media mentions, community involvement, and speaking engagements featuring our attorneys and staff. It’s a place to stay updated on how our team is contributing to the community through public talks, educational events, and coverage in local publications.
Kandace Rudd recently presented at Stetson University College of Law’s 27th National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts, a national three-day event that brings together leading experts and nationally recognized speakers to explore complex issues in special needs planning. The conference highlights innovative strategies to enhance the quality of life for beneficiaries while protecting their access to essential public benefits.
During the Long-Term Supports and Services Boot Camp, Ms. Rudd delivered an in-depth overview of Federal Medicaid Waivers, including Section 1115, 1915(b), and 1915(c) waivers. The presentation examined the legal framework that allows states to modify standard Medicaid requirements in order to test new models of care, expand access to targeted populations, manage costs, and provide services not typically covered under Medicaid.
Key topics included:
Ms. Rudd’s presentation contributed valuable insights into how Medicaid waivers continue to shape innovative approaches to care delivery and long-term supports across the nation.
We are pleased to share that Kandace E. Rudd is now a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil Circuit Mediator, expanding our ability to assist families and individuals in resolving disputes outside the courtroom.
As a Florida Board Certified Elder Law attorney with a master’s degree in social work and years of experience in probate, trust, guardianship, long-term care, public benefits, and special needs planning, Ms. Rudd brings a deep understanding of both the legal and emotional complexities these cases often involve. As a certified mediator, she now offers neutral, confidential mediation services designed to help families find common ground and avoid costly, drawn-out litigation. Whether representing clients or serving as a neutral mediator, Ms. Rudd is committed to helping parties reach practical, respectful, and forward-looking resolutions.
Jana McConnaughhay has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning & Probate. Fewer than 5% of the licensed attorneys in Florida achieve this designation. Jana has been named to this list each year since 2011.
Kandace Rudd has been named a Rising Star for 2025 by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning Elder Law. To be considered a Rising Star an attorney must be either under 40 years-old or in practice for less than 10 years. Only 2.5% of the Florida licensed attorneys are selected as Rising Stars each year.
Waldoch & McConnaughhay, P.A. is proud to announce that Kandace E. Rudd has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Catherine Chapman Pro Bono Service Award, presented by Tallahassee Women Lawyers (TWL).
This prestigious honor recognizes Ms. Rudd’s exceptional commitment to pro bono legal service through her longstanding work with Legal Services of North Florida, Advanced Directives Clinics in both Tallahassee and Quincy, Florida, as well as her contributions to the Second Judicial Circuit Family Law Division Guardian Ad Litem program.
The award is named in memory of Catherine Chapman, a former President and devoted Board Member of Tallahassee Women Lawyers. Ms. Chapman was a passionate advocate for women in the legal profession and a tireless servant for equal justice. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the Tallahassee Women Lawyers Foundation to enhance the organization’s charitable reach and championed the creation of a Lactation Room at the Leon County Courthouse.
A distinguished attorney and community leader, Ms. Chapman was known for her generosity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to public service. The award bearing her name honors members of the Florida Bar who exemplify her legacy of pro bono advocacy and community impact.
We congratulate Kandace on this meaningful recognition and commend her ongoing efforts to promote access to justice and legal support for underserved populations.
Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on April 16 (8:30am, FSU Tallahassee Senior Center) at the Capital Area Coalition on Aging. Ms. Rudd will discuss long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care.
Kandace Rudd received the FSU College of Law, Public Interest Law Center, Community Advocate of the Year Award. This award is for outstanding pro bono services to the clients and clinical programs of the Public Interest Law Center.
Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on February 15 (8:30am, FSU College of Medicine) at the Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Training Conference. During her session “Elder Law for Everyone” she will discuss basic estate and incapacity planning documents, guardianship proceedings, and long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care.
Breakfast and lunch will be included with the ticket and a respite room will be available for those who need support. Tickets are free, but registration is required. Please visit the Alzheimer’s Project website for additional information.
Jana McConnaughhay has been awarded the 2025 Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Services Award for the Second Judicial Circuit. This Circuit includes Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding attorneys across Florida’s 20 judicial circuits for their pro bono contributions. The award ceremony takes place in January 2025, hosted by Florida’s Supreme Court Justices.
Each year Florida Bar members report donating millions of hours and dollars towards civil legal matters, for which many Floridians could not afford representation otherwise. These hours provide services to children, the elderly, the poor and countless others. Waldoch & McConnaughhay’s attorneys are proud to be a part of this good work each year.
Jana McConnaughhay has been named a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in the area of Estate Planning. Fewer than 5% of the licensed attorneys in Florida achieve this designation. Jana has been named to this list each year since 2011.
Kandace E. Rudd recently achieved the distinguished status of board certification in the field of Elder Law from the Florida Bar, a significant accomplishment in the legal profession. This voluntary program, administered by The Florida Bar and officiated by The Florida Supreme Court, was established in 1982 to help the public identify lawyers who are experts in particular areas of law. The rigorous and thorough certification process ensures that only highly qualified lawyers receive this distinction, marking Florida’s official recognition of a lawyer’s expertise in a specialty field.
As of 2023, fewer than 5,000 lawyers, or about 5% of eligible Florida Bar members, have achieved board certification in one or more of the 27 specialty areas. Kandace’s board certification not only represents a significant personal achievement but also provides her clients with the assurance that they are receiving the highest level of legal expertise and professional standards. Her commitment to excellence and her specialized knowledge will undoubtedly continue to benefit her clients and the legal community at large.
Kandace E. Rudd recently graduated from the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy – Class XI, a training program administered by The Florida Bar. This honor is bestowed upon a select group of lawyers who demonstrate exceptional promise as future leaders in the legal profession. The Leadership Academy is designed to enhance the professional development and leadership skills of its participants. Each year, a new class is chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, and Kandace’s selection is a testament to her commitment to personal and professional growth and her readiness to take on more prominent roles within the legal community.
Kandace Rudd has been named in the inaugural class of recipients of the 36 Under Thirty-Six Professionalism Awards by The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division selected young lawyers who display the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, whose character and integrity remain unwavering even in the most trying of times, and whose dedication to raising the bar in the legal profession is unmatched.
Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on February 8 from 2 – 3 PM at the Dementia Care & Cure Initiative’s Dementia Education Series in Franklin County hosted by George E. Weems Memorial Hospital. Her topic is “Legal Planning and Dementia.” The goal of her presentation is for attendees to develop a basic understanding of the practice of elder law and the importance of legal planning and care for individuals with dementia. She will discuss basic estate planning, incapacity documents, and guardianship proceedings when estate and incapacity planning fail. Finally, she will discuss long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care.
Presentation are held at Weems Memorial Hospital cafeteria located at 135 Avenue G, Apalachicola, FL 32328. No RSVP required; the Dementia Education Series is free and open to everyone! Parking is on the northeast side of the hospital.
Jana McConnaughhay has been named a 2023 Super Lawyer in the area of Estate Planning and Probate by Thomson Reuters. This honor is limited to less than 5% of the attorneys practicing in the state of Florida. Ms. McConnaughhay has been selected each year since 2011.
Kandace Rudd is featured in Ti Adoro Studios Women Faces of Law 2023. Each month, Ti Adoro Studios will feature one power woman attorney who inspires others through their work in and commitment to the legal profession
Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on April 15 at the Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Training Conference. Her topic is “What is Elder Law.” The goal of her presentation is for attendees to develop a basic understanding of the practice of elder law. She will discuss basic estate planning and incapacity documents. She will also discuss guardianship proceedings when estate and incapacity planning fails. Finally, she will discuss long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Registration information can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/alzheimers-disease-education-and-training-conference-tickets-538023391447?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail
Thomson Reuters has listed Jana McConnaughhay as one of its 2022 Florida Super Lawyers. in the Estate Planning and Probate category. In-state members of the Florida Bar were asked to name attorneys whom they highly regard or would recommend to others. Votes were tabulated and the nominees receiving the highest weighted votes were reviewed by a third party entity and a panel of highly credentialed attorneys. Fewer than 5% of Florida attorneys ultimately were chosen for inclusion.
Thomson Reuters has named Lauchlin Waldoch and Jana McConnaughhay to its list of 2021 Florida Super Lawyers. Ms. Waldoch was named in its Elder Law category and Ms. McConnaughhay in its Estate Planning & Probate category. The list is compiled from nominations by colleagues which are then vetted by an independent third-party and peer reviewed by a panel of highly credentialed attorneys. Fewer than 5% of the attorneys practicing in Florida receive this designation.
Starting the Conversation: Advance Directives and Wills is the third installment of the six part series Celebrating Life, Understanding Death. Paul Malley, President of Aging with Dignity, and Kandace Rudd, elder law attorney, will discuss Five Wishes, advance directives, incapacity planning, and estate planning. Attend on May 5 in person at the Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library, 2817 South Adams Street, or via Zoom. Lean more at www.leoncountylibrary.org.
Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on April 19 at the FSU College of Medicine Geriatrics Interest Group monthly meeting. Her topic is “What is Elder Law.” The goal of her presentation is for first and second year medical students to develop a basic understanding of the practice of elder law and how the law and medicine work together to protect individuals with disabilities and the elderly. She will discuss basic estate planning, incapacity documents, guardianship proceedings when estate and incapacity planning fails, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Kandace Rudd is the 2022 – 2023 Chair for the United Way of the Big Bend Emerging Leaders United (formerly Young Leaders Society). Emerging Leaders United is a group of young professionals with a passion for building community partnerships and outreach. The mission of Emerging Leaders is to connect young professionals with volunteering, networking, and fundraising opportunities in the community. To learn more about Emerging Leaders please visit the United Way of the Big Bend’s website. https://uwbb.org/emergingleaders/
Kandace Rudd is the 2021 – 2022 for the United Way of the Big Bend Emerging Leaders United (formerly Young Leaders Society). Emerging Leaders United is a group of young professionals with a passion for building community partnerships and outreach. Our members support UWBB’s annual campaign with a minimum gift of $365. UWBB addresses poverty 365 days a year. We felt it fitting to cultivate a group of emerging leaders with that same level commitment. Please join us by donating a dollar a day, either independently or through your workplace campaign. The mission of Emerging Leaders is to connect young professionals with volunteering, networking, and fundraising opportunities in the community. To learn more about Emerging Leaders please visit the United Way of the Big Bend’s website. https://uwbb.org/emergingleaders/
Florida Trend Magazine has listed Jana McConnaughhay as one of its 2021 Florida Legal Elite. The list includes just 1.3% of the attorneys who are members of the Florida Bar. In-state members of the Florida Bar were asked to name attorneys whom they highly regard or would recommend to others. Votes were tabulated and the nominees receiving the highest weighted votes were reviewed by a third party entity and a panel of former Legal Elite honorees before being chosen.
Lauchlin Waldoch is presenting at the ISL Spring Brown Bag on Monday, March 15th at 12:00 pm via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link please email ISL@fsu.edu. Ms. Waldoch will address Incapacity Planning including Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and Trusts. The recording of the presentation will be posted to the Institute for Successful Longevity’s various social media platforms as well as the ISL website.
Parkinson’s Outreach Alliance in partnership with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital’s Memory Disorder Clinic and Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Program will welcome Kandace Rudd, JD, MSW of Waldoch and McConnaughhay, P.A., to their 2nd Thursday Parkinson’s Support Group on March 11 at 4:30 PM via Zoom. This Support Group for individual’s living with Parkinson’s and Care Partners takes place every second Thursday of each month from 4:30 – 5:30 PM. Ms. Rudd will discuss the basics of estate planning and long-term care planning including: Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Surrogate Designations, and Last Will and Testaments. Contact Sonnie Mayewski, Clinical Social Worker at TMH Memory Disorder Clinic for log-in information (850-431-5002).
Tapestry Senior Living Lakeshore, in partnership with Waldoch and McConnaughhay, P.A., are offering a Zoom session with elder law attorney, Kandace Rudd, JD, MSW. This session will take place on February 24th, 5:30 – 6:30 pm via Zoom. During this conversation, Ms. Rudd will discuss the basics of estate planning including: Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Health Care Surrogate Designations, and Last Will and Testaments. Contact Yolanda Hue with Tapestry Senior Living at (850) 756-1628 or Yolanda.Hue@TapestrySenior.com for log-in information.
Thomson Reuters has named Jana McConnaughhay to its list of 2020 Florida Super Lawyers, in its Estate Planning & Probate category. The list is compiled from nominations by colleagues which are then vetted by an independent third-party and peer reviewed by a panel of highly credentialed attorneys. Fewer than 5% of the attorneys practicing in Florida receive this designation.
The TMH Memory Disorder Clinic, in partnership with Waldoch and McConnaughhay, P.A., are offering a Zoom session with elder law attorney, Kandace Rudd, JD, MSW. This session will take place on June 16 at 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. During this conversation, Ms. Rudd will discuss what elder law is and answer attendee questions. Contact Vicky Rose at the TMH Memory Clinic for log-in information.
Kandace E. Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on February 8th at the 35th Annual Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Training Conference. Her topic is “What is Elder Law.” The goal of her presentation is for attendees to develop a basic understanding of the practice of elder law. She will discuss basic estate planning and incapacity documents. She will also discuss guardianship proceedings when estate and incapacity planning fails. Finally, she will discuss long-term planning for in-home, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Attendance at the conference is free, and registration information can be found here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZL5N8TC?fbclid=IwAR38kYTaMOTkeRdBh9jyXGr0tAC2rMohYiQTJKNLrR865VvjAU6wwnx99Cg.
Lauchlin Waldoch and Jana McConnaughhay were each named Florida Super Lawyers in 2020, for the 15th and 10th years, respectively. This peer-reviewed honor is bestowed on fewer than 5% of Florida’s practicing attorneys.
Florida Trend Magazine has named Jana McConnaughhay to its 2019 list of Legal Elite estate planning attorneys. Just one other attorney in Tallahassee has been named to the estate planning list, and just 50 other attorneys in the state Florida. Voting for the list began in 2018; lawyers statewide were asked to name attorneys whom they hold in the highest regard and whom they would recommend to others. This list was reviewed by Florida Trend and an elite panel of attorneys, and the resulting lists represent fewer than 1.3% of the active Florida Bar members who practice in the state.
The 2019 edition of Florida Super Lawyers® has named Lauchlin Waldoch to the list of top Elder Law attorneys and Jana McConnaughhay to the list of top Estate Planning & Probate attorneys in the state. Attorneys are chosen for inclusion after first being nominated by their peers in an anonymous process, then reviewed and evaluated by an independent third-party research company, and finally evaluated by highly credentialed independently chosen attorneys. No more than 5% of attorneys practicing in Florida are chosen for this list.
The 2019 edition of Florida Super Lawyers® has named Lauchlin Waldoch to the list of top Elder Law attorneys and Jana McConnaughhay to the list of top Estate Planning & Probate attorneys in the state. Attorneys are chosen for inclusion after first being nominated by their peers in an anonymous process, then reviewed and evaluated by an independent third-party research company, and finally evaluated by highly credentialed independently chosen attorneys. No more than 5% of attorneys practicing in Florida are chosen for this list.
Waldoch & McConnaughhay, P.A., is pleased to announce that attorney Kandace E. Rudd has been accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist Veterans. The Veterans Administration accredits Veterans Services Organizations (VSO), Attorneys, and Claims agents to ensure Veterans and their families receive suitable representation during the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of a Veteran’s claim for VA benefits. Ms. Rudd assists clients seeking eligibility for VA Aid & Attendance or Housebound increased pension benefits, while also advising clients on current or future eligibility for additional State and Federal benefit programs such as Medicaid.
Waldoch and McConnaughhay is proud to sponsor We Wish You More on April 30, 2019. The event, at Goodwood Carriage House from 6-7:30 pm, is being held in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day. It features Jason Rosenthal, the subject of the essay “You May Want to Marry My Husband,” written for the New York Times by his late wife Amy Krause Rosenthal.
Kandace Rudd, JD, MSW, will speak on Long-Term Care Planning on May 15, 2019, at the 2019 Regional Training Symposium hosted by the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. and Advantage Aging Solutions. For further information on the symposium, which will be be held May 14-16 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, call 1-866-531-8011.
Partner Jana McConnaughhay is recognized by CNN and the Tallahassee Democrat for her efforts to support federal workers during the shutdown.Shutdown angels: From meals to free tax returns, how everyday people are helping workers affected by the shutdownGovernment shutdown: Local lawyer raises money for struggling federal employees
Attorney Kandace Rudd will be speaking at TCC’s Gadsden Center as part of an ongoing Caregiver Education Series. The sessions are free and open to the public. Kandace’s session, “What is Elder Law?” is March 7, 2019, from 10-11 a.m. Waldoch and McConnaughhay is also sponsoring this ongoing series.
Further information available here: Caregiver Education Series Flyer 2 (002)
Medicare open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends on December 7.
Each year Medicare health and prescription drug plans may make changes to their plans such as cost, coverage, and network providers. You should review the materials your plan sends such as the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) to determine what, if any, changes are being made to your plan. If your plan is changing, you should ensure your plan will still meet your needs for 2019. If not, open enrollment is the time to change your Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage. You can find additional plan information and compare plans at www.medicare.gov.
SHINE (Severing Health Insurance Needs of Elders) provides additional assistance to Florida residents including free, unbiased, and confidential counseling assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers. To speak with SHINE volunteer contact the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337). Vsit http://www.floridashine.org/Community-Events.aspx to locate local open enrollment events in your area.
The VA has released a draft rule, published September 18, 2018. This rule would dramatically change eligibility criteria for the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefits. Transfers immediately prior to application for the benefit will no longer be possible if the rule passes. Asset limits will be clearer under the rule for those applying, with the non-exempt asset level set at $123,600. The applicant’s primary residence will continue to be exempt unless sold and not replaced within the same calendar year. This rule is not retroactive. Therefore transfers made prior to date of implementation (October 18, 2018) should not preclude eligibility.
Strike A Pose is bowling for a cause in Allegro’s 6th Annual bowling league with other organizations and businesses to support the Tallahassee Senior Center.
April 17, 2018 • 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Tallahassee Senior Center
Briefcase is a roundup of new hires, openings, achievements, appointments, awards and promotions in the business community
Capital City Bank announces Jana McConnaughhay as the newest member of its Leon County Community Board of Directors. McConnaughhay is board certified in Elder Law and is managing partner at Waldoch and McConnaughhay P.A. She received her B.A. in accounting, with honors, from Furman University and her J.D. from the Vanderbilt University School of Law.
By Cara Fleischer, Special to the Democrat
Jana McConnaughhay is a successful lawyer, an active mom, and an engaged volunteer who is willing to speak up when she sees a need. She started her own elder law firm, Waldoch & McConnaughhay, 10 years ago, and says assisting clients with wills, trusts, and long-term care options has been a rewarding career.
“I love what I do because I get to meet the most interesting people every day, who have taught me so much about parenting and life,” she said. “They’ve shown me that at the end of their days, their family, whether made up of relatives or close friends, is everything.”
A Tallahassee native and Leon High School alum, McConnaughhay went on to receive a B.A. in Accounting from Furman University and a law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. She currently serves on the Florida Bar Joint Public Policy Task Force for the Elderly and Disabled, is on the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of North Florida, the Leon High School Foundation, and the Stacey Webb Arts Foundation. In 2016, she was named one of Florida’s Legal Elite by Florida Trend, a Florida Super Lawyer, and was selected as Member of the Year by the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar.
She and her husband, Chad, have two teenagers and are active volunteers in their children’s schools. She helps others by spending time with a first-grader as a Ruediger Elementary Reading Pal and co-leads the Sweet Dreams bedding ministry at Killearn United Methodist Church.
She is grateful for her close circle of friends who support and champion each other. While having dinner with one of those friends and local attorney, Corinne Porcher, they talked about early high school start times, and the study linking them with teen obesity, depression, and poor performance in school. With Leon County high schools starting at 7:30 a.m., a full hour earlier than the study recommended, McConnaughhay and Porcher were concerned about their own children and decided to take action.
“We were just two friends who said ‘someone should speak up about this, so why not us?'” McConnaughhay remembered. “We wrote an op-ed, sent it to the Tallahassee Democrat, and it took off.” The women were astounded by the response and agreed to serve on a new committee dedicated to the school start time issue. After receiving community feedback, the committee proposed an optional later start time that the school board voted in favor to implement for the 2016/17 school year.
“It gives families an option to start later,” McConnaughhay said. “My son actually doesn’t use the later start time because he doesn’t want to give up an extracurricular, but my daughter plans to use it when she goes to high school next year since she needs every extra minute of sleep. It really depends on the student.”
As a working mom, McConnaughhay makes spending time with her husband and kids, as well as their large extended family, a priority.
“As women, we want to do it all. We want to help every cause, but we have to say no sometimes,” McConnaughhay said. “I’ve learned to keep my focus on my family because I can’t get these years back.”
From Tallahassee Democrat
Six members of our staff participated in the United Way’s Read United program, in first grade classes at Astoria Park, Bond, Chaires, DeSoto Trail, Roberts and Ruediger Elementary Schools the week of May 2, 2017.
Lauchlin Waldoch and Jana McConnaughhay named Florida Super Lawyers for 2017, a designation given to fewer than 5% of Florida’s attorneys after nomination by and surveys of practicing attorneys and judges.
Attorney Sarah Halsell received the FSU College of Law, Public Interest Law Center, Community Advocate of the Year Award. This award is for outstanding pro bono services to the clients and clinical programs of the Public Interest Law Center. Sarah was also an active participant in the Public Interest Law Center’s programs during her time at FSU College of Law.
https://law.fsu.edu/press-release/outstanding-pilc-students-recognized
