Debra Rahmin Silberstein, Esq., Ph.D.

With a law degree and a doctorate degree in social policy and philanthropy, Debra is a pioneer and advocate in the lives of elders and families – especially those with special needs children. She is a tireless advocate for the elderly and others whose special needs and circumstances are often ignored or overlooked. Her practice involves helping elders and their families plan for their future and for the needs of their children or relatives with disabilities and related challenges.

Debra was instrumental in developing a senior tax voucher program – through her decade-long work on her town’s Council on Aging – which has helped senior citizens “age in place” and stay in their homes over the past 20 years. The program became a model for other municipalities that have since instituted similar “age in place” programs. Debra has co-authored numerous amicus briefs on behalf of varying non-profit organizations to support public policy changes and initiatives on related elder law and health care matters

Prior to joining Burns & Levinson in 2016, Debra was in private practice for more than 25 years. Most recently, she was the recipient of the 2018 Powley Elder Law Award given by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and was named a 2022 “Family/Elder Law Trailblazer by The National Law Journal.

Outside of attorney commitments, Debra has held numerous board and leadership positions. She served as chair of the Lawrence General Hospital Board of Trustees and was also appointed to the American Hospital Association Board of Governors. She serves on the Board of Visitors at McLean Hospital. Debra currently serves on the Planned Giving Advisory Council for the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia and has served as a consultant to the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy at the Heller School at Brandeis University. Debra also serves on the Board of the Anti-Defamation League, New England.