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Jeffrey W. Berkman, Esq., LL.M. focuses his practice on corporate and securities law matters. He represents entrepreneurs, domestic and international companies, closely-held businesses, family offices, investors, and not-for-profit organizations in connection with business structuring, domestic and cross-border transactions, mergers & acquisitions, venture capital, private equity, secured financing, joint ventures, investment fund structuring, securities law matters, commercial transactions/contracts, and a wide-variety of other business law matters. Mr. Berkman has practiced law for over thirty years, working with entrepreneurs, investors, companies, investment funds, and joint ventures in various industries, including venture capital, private equity, technology, Internet, telecommunications, healthcare, food services, retail, fashion, management consulting, manufacturing, engineering, goods and services providers, professional practices, entertainment/film, and emerging media. He was previously General Counsel of a multimillion dollar venture capital firm with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He has served on the Board of Directors of both public and private companies. Mr. Berkman was a Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Rodger Miner (dec.), 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. He is an Adjunct Professor at Touro College – Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, teaching Drafting Commercial Documents (and previously Business Organizations II). Mr. Berkman is a lecturer for continuing legal education classes and a presenter at a variety of seminars and business workshops. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Middlebury College, his J.D. degree from New York Law School, and his LL.M. degree from New York University School of Law.

Mr. Black is a member with FRB’s Corporate and Securities Group. He has over 35 years of experience in corporate and government compliance, government contracts, trade regulation, and information technology. Mr. Black has been in-house counsel for most of his career, including Northrop Grumman’s Data and Information Division, CA Technologies, where he served as Vice President, Senior Counsel, and Associate Chief Compliance Officer, and at Overseas Military Sales Group where he was General Counsel and Chief Compliance. Immediately prior to joining FRB, he was a partner at Silverman Acampora, where he led their Government Contracts and Compliance Group. As counsel to several large government contractors, in various manufacturing and development industries, Mr. Black’s experience has included creating export compliance protocols, and managing multimillion dollar bid and proposal processes from the initial steps of government requests for information through the entire proposal procedure to final contract negotiation and award. For example, he created, launched, and managed a worldwide export compliance protocol for a major software company with more than 1,000 products sold worldwide. He has also successfully negotiated with the Department of Defense to avoid the suspension of his client’s contracts as part of a larger government-wide settlement. Mr. Black has created Codes of Conduct and established compliance help lines for his clients. This includes review of all submissions, investigation of each incident, and reports to executive management and Board Audit Committees. He can develop customized government and corporate compliance programs as well as training courses for company personnel on key compliance issues. Mr. Black’s expertise extends to corporate tax strategy, enhancing clients’ financial approaches. He also assists non-profit organizations, ensuring compliance with legal mandates as they pursue their goals. In addition, he has experience in dealing with issues related to privacy, especially the EU General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) as well as other government acquisition and trade rules and regulations. A frequent lecturer on corporate and government compliance issues, Mr. Black is an adjunct professor at the Maurice Deane School of Law where he teaches Corporate Compliance and Ethics and has served as a visiting professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, where he taught courses in Government Contracts. He is a member of the American, New York and Nassau County Bar Associations. Mr. Black is a member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Attorney Professionalism and the Nassau County Bar Association Ethics Committee. He earned his B.A. degree from Hofstra University and his J.D. degree from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.

Mr. Lawrence’s practice is focused on corporate and private securities matters, serving clients as lead counsel on all types of corporate transactions including private placements, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate finance, planning and strategies, licensing, manufacturing, supply, and distribution arrangements. He provides dedicated hands-on personal support to clients from negotiation to closing and beyond. Mr. Lawrence regularly represents clients in a wide range of industries including telecommunications, food and nutraceutical manufacturing and distribution, restaurants, emerging technologies, retail, light manufacturing, commercial and private lending, architecture and software development. He also regularly advises private issuers and principals with respect to operations and compliance matters in his active private equity practice. In mergers and acquisitions transactions, Mr. Lawrence has regularly represented both buyers and sellers of businesses. Over the past 15 years, he has successfully closed numerous deals with business owners selling their businesses to strategic buyers, private equity funds, and private equity-backed strategic buyers both domestically and internationally. With respect to securities offering and financing transactions, he has significant experience representing both issuers and founders on the one hand, and investors on the other hand, giving him years of experience related to private securities offerings, venture capital, and similar startup financings, and FINRA and SEC regulatory issues. As part of the firm’s Digital Assets Practice Group, his practice has expanded to include advising companies on blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and NFT matters, with a focus on how the corporate and securities matters affect these types of projects. Mr. Lawrence earned his B.A. degree from Tulane University and his J.D. degree from Hofstra University.

Mr. Rappaport chairs FRB’s Taxation and Private Client Groups. He concentrates his practice in Taxation as it relates to Real Estate, Closely Held Businesses, Private Equity Funds, Family Offices and Trusts & Estates. Mr. Rappaport advises clients regarding tax planning, structuring, and compliance for commercial real estate projects, all stages of the business life cycle, generational wealth transfer, family business succession, and executive compensation. He also collaborates with other attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, bankers, and insurance professionals when they encounter matters requiring a threshold level of tax law expertise. Mr. Rappaport is known for his work on complex deals involving advanced tax considerations, such as Section 1031 Exchanges, the Qualified Opportunity Zone Program, Freeze Partnerships, Private Equity Mergers & Acquisitions, and Qualified Small Business Stock. He has served as a trusted advisor for prominent real estate funds, executives of multinational corporations, venture capitalists, successful startup businesses, ultra-high net worth families, and clients seeking creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems requiring tax-focused analysis. Mr. Rappaport earned his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

 Mr. Sechter has determined the value of closely held securities of companies and partnerships in a wide variety of industries. He has prepared valuations of closely held operating companies, asset holding companies, as well as other equities such as undivided interests in real estate, closely held common and preferred stock. In support of the foregoing, he has prepared documented valuation analyses for presentation to management, directors, members, and stockholders of client companies, as well as to attorneys, accountants, other fiduciaries, and the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Sechter has been court appointed as a neutral financial expert and has testified as an expert witness in various courts and jurisdictions. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants BV Committee Member, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Ms. Barone finds the most rewarding aspect of assisting and representing her clients is alleviating some burden that they feel in extremely stressful and overwhelming situations. She has the knowledge and skills to assist clients step-by-step to try to confront concerns and worries that are life altering. Ms. Barone understands that communication is critical to an attorney-client relationship and will sit down and discuss the various outcomes and scenarios so that her clients can not only make informed decisions, but also feel a sense of relief.

Ms. Callas has a diverse legal background that enriches her estate planning practice. She specializes in estate planning, helping families secure their future through comprehensive trust plans. Before transitioning to estate planning, Ms. Callas was a felony prosecutor, handling cases such as domestic batteries, DUIs, and general felonies. Her passion for advocating for victims and her empathetic approach have been key aspects of her career. Ms. Callas now dedicates her practice to educating families on the importance of having a plan in place to protect their loved ones and assets. Her services include Wills and Trusts: She helps clients draft wills and establish trusts to manage their assets. Power of Attorney: Ms. Callas sets up durable powers of attorney for healthcare and financial decisions. Guardianships: She assists in the appointment of guardians for minors or incapacitated adults. Probate and Estate Administration: Ms. Callas guides families through the probate process and managing estate administration.

Mr. Ferguson grew up on a farm in rural Iowa that was lost to the farm crisis of the early 80s. He went on to study business and then earned his law degree from the University of Texas. In 1989 Mr. Ferguson founded his law firm, which soon became “The Estate Planning Center” in Salem IL. Since 1996, he has been a leader in the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, instrumental in building proactive platforms like the “Three step strategy” process, and as a member of their drafting committee developing cutting edge asset protection and tax planning techniques so ordinary families realize planning benefits that have too-often been reserved for only the wealthy. His niche is helping salt-of-the-earth farm families pass their wisdom along with the rest of their wealth. With a reputation as “the famer’s estate planning attorney” his experiences has been shared with the public in hundreds of articles published in Illinois’ premiere farm magazine, The Prairie Farmer®. Mr. Ferguson and his wife Laura are proud parents of two daughters, each of whom graduated with highest honors from Hillsdale College, one of whom is a gifted writer, while the other earned her PhD in Greek from The University of Oxford.

Mr. Nudo’s primary areas of practice are wills, trusts, business succession, loan documentation, real estate transactions, and not-for-profit law and church ministry. He is a graduate of Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration concentrating in Finance and Marketing. Mr. Nudo then went on to Thomas M. Cooley Law School, receiving his Juris Doctorate Degree with honors in Sales and negotiable instruments. As an experienced attorney serving individuals and families in Illinois, creating a well-rounded estate plan, helping resolve wills & trust disputes, to providing valuable business resources at any stage of your business venture, He thrives on knowing and serving members of the community who cross his path.

Mr. Ramsey is licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois. He has expertise covers estate planning, probate law, business planning, real estate law, contract law, and minor criminal law. Mr. Ramsey’s diverse legal background includes serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney, a Judge Advocate General in the United States Army, and an adjunct professor at various educational institutions. Committed to defending religious freedom, he is an allied attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, Pacific Justice Institute, and Liberty Counsel. Mr. Ramsey’s dedication extends beyond legal practice, as he actively supports religious freedom and family values through involvement with ministries and organizations. With a wealth of legal knowledge and a passion for serving his community, he ensures that clients receive tailored estate planning solutions and compassionate guidance throughout the process. At The Ramsey Law Firm, they strive to empower individuals and families to plan confidently, knowing their interests are protected by a trusted legal advisor.

Mr. Nieman as a Nebraska-based State & Local Tax & Incentives Attorney, he has been working for over 38 years with company executive, tax, legal and site development personnel from around the country. He is called on by them to address Nebraska state and local tax and incentive planning strategies, site selection and development and Nebraska tax disputes (audits, claims, appeals and settlement). Mr. Nieman has led McGrath|North teams responsible for all aspects of site development and economic incentives in Nebraska, including site selection, site acquisition, site negotiation, regulatory and building approvals, project incentives and project entitlements. He has designed and drafted much of Nebraska’s tax, tax incentive and site development legislation. Mr. Nieman was the principal designer and drafter of the numerous Nebraska programs. He was also a co-designer and co-drafter of various other tax and incentive legislation, such as the Imagine Nebraska Act, LB 1107 (2020), LB 895 (2008) which added Tier 6 to the Nebraska Advantage Act, LB 872 (2012) which adopted the market state apportionment rule for business services income, LB 343 (2007) which extended the capital gain exclusion to extraordinary dividends and LB 161 (2017) which extended the tax incentive benefit carry forward period for Tier 6 projects. He has also worked with Nebraska’s business community and lobbyists to defend legislative attempts to repeal or reduce these programs. The above incentive and development programs have created over 100,000 new jobs and $35 billion of capital investment in over 900 business expansions throughout Nebraska. Nebraska’s Governors and State Directors of Economic Development have consulted with Mr. Nieman on economic development policy for over 3 decades. He has also authored a number of studies for the business community outlining strategies to improve Nebraska’s business climate. Mr. Nieman earned his B.S.B.A degree, summa cum laude, from Creighton University College of Business, and his J.D. degree from Creighton University School of Law.

Mr. Otteman is an attorney with McGrath|North and is Chair of the firm’s Tax, Trusts and Estates Group. He specializes in taxation, including state and local taxation, state tax disputes and appeals, state business tax incentives, and site selection and planning. Mr. Otteman has represented clients of all sizes in both income, withholding, and sales tax assessments and claims before the Nebraska Department of Revenue. In addition, he has an extensive background in state tax incentives, including the Nebraska Advantage Act and Iowa’s and Missouri’s incentive programs. He has advised clients of all sizes with their tax incentive applications and claims, and assisted them in key aspects of the expansion planning process. Mr. Otteman is also an experienced Estate Planner and works closely with other members of the firm’s highly recognized and top rated estate planning team. His analytical approach keeps his clients informed on how the law will, or could, affect their business decisions. By looking at situations with a business model analysis, Mr. Otteman spots potential pitfalls and keeps the focus on accomplishing the client’s big picture goals. And, If a dispute should arise, he stands by his team’s ability to provide superior representation before the tax authorities. Mr. Otteman graduated summa cum laude from Creighton University College of Business, and thereafter received his Certified Public accountant registration. Wanting to further expand his capabilities to work with businesses, he received his law degree from Creighton University School of Law, graduating summa cum laude and then his L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of Alabama School of Law where he was valedictorian graduating magna cum laude. Because of his well recognized expertise, Mr. Otteman has been selected as an adjunct faculty member to teach business students at Creighton University College of Business for several years. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member to law students at the Creighton University School of Law. In addition, Mr. Otteman is a frequent speaker to CPA’s on a broad range of issues.

Ms. Blake Salami’s heartfelt mission revolves around supporting families in crafting comprehensive estate plans that not only safeguard their assets but also honor their inherent dignity. With over a decade of dedicated experience in elder law, estate planning, disability rights, and social justice, her passion lies in serving the unique needs of older adults, strategizing with families, and advocating for individuals with psychiatric, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds immeasurable joy in being a devoted wife and mother of two precious children. Family is the bedrock of her values, and this understanding deeply influences her approach to legal practice. Through her journey, she has had the privilege of successfully representing clients in federal and state courts, administrative hearings, and special proceedings. She champions their rights and interests in critical matters, including Medicaid eligibility, guardianship, probate, and civil rights. Ms. Blake Salami is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and New York. She is also a licensed social worker. This multidimensional background allows her to provide a holistic and empathetic perspective to her clients. Together, she wants to build strong families and resilient communities, where every individual’s rights and dignity are cherished.

Mr. Davidson is proud to have a staff that matches his ideals and beliefs in doing whatever it takes to help their clients. Together, they are happy to tackle any concerns you may have for you or your loved ones. He is a devoted father of three grown boys and husband to his lovely wife, Rhonda. Mr. Davidson Christian faith and family are most important to him. He has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of estate planning, elder law, guardianships, probate and administration, trusts and wills, veteran pensions, and special needs planning. Mr. Davidson is dedicated to helping individuals and families plan for the future. He also understands the stress and legal issues involved in dealing with families in the midst of a crisis such as a loved one going into a nursing home or passing away. Mr. Davidson received his J.D. at Cumberland School of Law, Samford University and his Master of Laws in Taxation from The University of Florida Levin.

Ms. Geerdes has established herself as one of the premier trial and asset protection attorneys in the United States. Due to her experience and expertise, She also has extensive management and leadership experience in coordinating state-wide projects for professional legal development related to improving the caliber of attorneys, having trained everyone from novice attorneys to veteran judges on legal practice and the law. Ms. Geerdes highly successful legal career in the state governments also enabled her to develop and maintain close ties with both the local State Legislatures and the State Bars to oversee and litigate the most important legal issues pending in the United States and the local States. She is now one of the most sought-after attorneys to train lawyers across the United States in the area of estate planning, elder law, and asset protection, supervising over 50 attorneys in the United States who specialize in the complex area of asset protection.

Mr. Mullis primarily practices in Elder Law and Estate Planning with Anderson, Walker & Reichert, LLP in Macon, GA, with an additional practice focus on Investigations and Compliance. He received his law degree from Mercer University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tampa. Mr. Mullis served as a Judge Advocate General’s Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 2016. His JAG career included estate planning for Soldiers and their family members as well as advice on tax and benefits. Mr. Mullis has unique experience with government benefit programs from his prior concurrent work as a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Special Agent. During his 20+ year career as a DoD Agent, his work often examined Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Veterans Affairs disability and healthcare services and billing, as well as other benefit programs such as Social Security and SSI. Mr. Mullis’s seasoned experience with program coverages, cost share, exclusions, and alternatives to insurance delivers an insider perspective to learning government benefits. His practice with Anderson, Walker & Reichert provides clients with advice and planning support for decisions on future funding of medical cost share, long-term care costs, available options, and qualifying for Medicaid and Veteran benefits, as well as tax-advantaged trusts to implement asset protection goals. Mr. Mullis assists clients with understanding Medicare limitations for long-term care and hospice as well as educating clients on its several coverage parts. He also gives clients information to help them choose whether to enroll with Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Mr. Mullis is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Ms. Baker practice focuses on elder law (including Medicaid and asset protection planning), disability law (including special needs trust law), and estate planning. She is licensed in Minnesota. Ms. Baker earned her B.A. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

Mr. Estle is practices in the areas of elder law, Medical Assistance planning, probate and trust administration, and general estate planning. He routinely represents clients with elder law issues, focusing on the costs and considerations of long-term care and elder health. Mr. Estle practices with an exclusive estate planning and administration and elder law focus. He received his B.A. from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and his J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Estle is admitted to practice in Minnesota and is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association. He is a Board member on the Minnesota Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

Ms. Frasier practices and counsels clients about elder law issues, such as long-term care and asset preservation planning, medical assistance and veterans benefits, as well as guardianship and conservatorship, special needs and disability planning, estate planning, and probate and trust administration. She received her B.A. from Carleton College and her J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Ms. Frasier is licensed to practice law in Minnesota State Court and is an accredited attorney for veterans benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In his thirty years of practicing law, Mr. Rephan has focused his practice primarily in the areas of elder law, disability law (including special needs trust law), government benefits law, and veterans law. He has successfully litigated class actions and individual actions on behalf of government benefits recipients. Mr. Rephan has also participated in successful legislative initiatives to increase the rights of persons appealing to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, as well as other rights of government benefits recipients.

Ms. Eurenius, is delighted to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families. She has always focused her practice in the area of elder law, special needs planning and estate planning. Ms. Eurenius, is a certified specialist as a CELA® by the National Elder Law Foundation. Her passion for elder law stems from her personal experiences with her grandmother, Helen. Ms. Eurenius,’s grandmother helped to raise her while living with the family. Around the age of 84, Helen was diagnosed with dementia and a few short years later suffered from a stroke. She watched the repercussions of not planning ahead for these devastating occurrences in life. Ms. Eurenius, went to doctor’s visits and hospital calls at 3:00 A.M. and visited the nursing home. She saw the guardianship and Medicaid process firsthand. Ms. Eurenius, understands the stress and anxiety that a family can be dealing with during these situations. She will take the time to listen to your concerns and work with you to prepare a plan. Ms. Eurenius, plans to use her personal experience and legal knowledge to understand your situation and benefit you. Her goal while practicing law is to be a helping hand through the process, easing the tensions and fears that our clients and their families may be experiencing. Ms. Eurenius, works in the areas of estate planning, Medicaid, asset protection, Veterans benefits, special needs planning, and probate and trust administration. She earned her Undergraduate and M.B.A. degrees from Cleveland State University and her J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

Ms. Houck believes strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care. She also believes in compassion, empathy, and listening. Her job is to hear her clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together. Ms. Houck is honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives. She has earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes her to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning. It allows her to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve. Ms. Houck is also certified with the Veteran’s Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long-term care. She earned her J.D. degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Deliberato’s practice is focused on estate planning that incorporates wills, trusts, powers of attorney for administration and healthcare to protect the assets of an individual that have been earned over a lifetime. His elder law practice counsels clients on how to plan for nursing home care and how to establish successful Medicaid planning strategies. Mr. Deliberato was born and raised in Garfield Heights, OH. He attended St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland and graduated from the Loyola University, Chicago. Mr. Deliberato began his professional career as a fourth generation Funeral Director. After one short year, he returned to school at the Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He started the firm in 1999. Mr. Deliberato is an active community member, having served on several boards, including the Garfield Heights Financial Oversight Committee, the Northeast Ohio Planned Giving Commission, and the Knights of Columbus.

Ms. Houck believes strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care. She also believes in compassion, empathy, and listening. Her job is to hear her clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together. Ms. Houck is honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives. She has earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes her to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning. It allows her to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve. Ms. Houck is also certified with the Veteran’s Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long-term care. She earned her J.D. degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Menninger has been a full-time estate planner since 2014. He is one of only approximately 155 attorneys in Ohio that is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Mr. Menninger helps families implement simple and complex estate planning strategies, advising on tax and asset protection considerations, and educating and counseling clients along the way. He has served as faculty for the OSBA, Wealth Counsel State Forums, the National Business Institute, and Strafford Publications, among other organizations. Mr. Menninger has taught attorneys and CPAs on a variety of subjects, including basic estate planning, trust taxation, IRA planning, and irrevocable trust modification. Recently, he was recognized by Ohio Lawyer Magazine as a Rising Star in Estate Planning. He received his J.D. degree from Northern Kentucky University.

Ms. Daddino focuses her practice on Elder Law, Estate Planning, and Guardianships. She developed her passion for assisting the elderly due to her upbringing surrounded by aging family members, including being raised with the help of not only a great-grandmother, but also her maternal grandparents. Ms. Daddino attended Wake Forest University School of Law and is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and presently serves on the board of the North Carolina Chapter. Ms. Daddino is also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section and serves as a Council Member for the North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law Section. In South Carolina, she is a member of the South Carolina Chapter of NAELA and serves on the South Carolina Bar Elder Law Committee.

Mr. Fleming’s main areas of practice include Estate Planning, Medicaid & Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration, and Business and Corporate Law. While in college, he worked as a weekend event planner at a local nursing home where he was motivated to become an attorney after witnessing nursing home residents struggle to navigate through their Medicaid and Medicare issues. Mr. Fleming earned his B.A. degree from Georgia College and his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Ms. Horne specializes in guardianship, estate and trust litigation. She volunteers with the Corporation of Guardianship, providing pro bono legal services through the Corporation of Guardianship to vulnerable older adults. Ms. Horne is an experienced and seasoned litigator and a fierce advocate for elder abuse and exploitation victims. In June 2023, the Guilford County Family Justice Center recognized her as its 2023 Elder Justice Champion. Ms. Horne earned her J.D. degree from Elon University.

Ms. Owens is a Board Certified Specialist with the North Carolina State Bar in the area of Elder Law. She also assists clients with Special Needs Planning. Ms. Owens centers her practice on advocacy for older persons, persons with special needs, their representatives, and families. She offers advice for personal and health care planning for long-term care needs; asset protection and navigating the laws governing Medicare and Medicaid; litigation and administrative advocacy for those seeking public benefit and those who are victims of elder abuse (financial or consumer fraud); special needs counseling including Special Needs Trusts and other related issues. Ms. Owens practice area also encompasses Incompetency and Guardianship matters which often include children with disabilities transitioning to adulthood and continued advocacy of their specific needs. She is accredited for the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for veteran’s benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs and as a Veteran Marine spouse is proud to serve military families to receive benefits earned. Ms. Owens earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Mr. Chestnut formerly, he served as a director and practice leader for the Indianapolis office of Ryan, LLC, Thomson Reuters, and Deloitte. He has been involved with real and business personal property tax for more than 30 years. Mr. Chestnut has extensive experience with property tax reduction, administrative appeal representation, assisting clients with strategic tax planning, compliance work including the preparation of all business personal property tax forms and applications, audit representation, and testimony.  He received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University.  

After graduating from Indiana University School of Law, Mr. Greene started his career in state and local tax as a Sales Tax Hearing Officer with the Indiana Department of Revenue in 1988. He has worked with a small consulting firm as vice president and general counsel. Mr. Green started the state and local tax practice at the Indianapolis offices of Deloitte. He was the national product leader for Grant Thornton’s automation practice; he was the national practice leader for Crowe Horwath’s sales and use tax practice; and he opened his law office as a sole practitioner. Mr. Greene is active in the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) and serves on the certification committee. He is a frequent speaker on multistate sales and use tax issues, and sales tax process improvement.

Hon. McAdam was appointed Judge of the Indiana Tax Court in 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. McAdam came to the position after serving as deputy director and chief legal counsel of the Indiana Office of Management & Budget. He replaces retiring Judge Martha Wentworth.

Ms. McDonald’s quantitative analysis allows her to identify tailored incentives opportunities for each company’s specific requirements. Her negotiation skills with government entities highlight her ability to secure monetary incentives. Ms. McDonald’s extensive expertise in property tax, multistate income taxes, and other state tax matters plays a crucial role in helping clients maximize the benefits of incentives while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Her dedication to understanding the intricacies of tax regulations and her commitment to delivering tailored solutions underscore her value to clients in achieving their goals. Before joining KSM, she gained experience in both public accounting and corporate environments. Ms. McDonald is a member of the Indiana CPA Society.

Professor Swain also serves as a lecturer of business law for the online MBA program offered by the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. His area of expertise in business law is state and local tax (SALT). Before transitioning to academia, Professor Swain held the position of Chief Counsel of the Revenue Division for the Indiana Attorney General, where he oversaw all tax litigation for the State of Indiana for twelve years. Before that, he worked as a tax manager at KPMG and Arthur Andersen’s offices in Denver, Colorado, specializing in tax controversies (audit defense) and corporate transactions within the SALT division. He has written over 200 tax-related articles and has delivered numerous lectures on tax topics.

Ms. DeWall is an experienced elder law and estate planning attorney who focuses her practice on Medicaid planning and asset protection.  Her practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive elder care services that prioritize her clients’ quality of life, asset preservation, and peace of mind.  Ms. DeWall’s commitment to empowering families during vulnerable times has made her a trusted advisor in the field. She is a member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.  She frequently speaks at conferences, sharing her expertise to help clients and fellow attorneys understand the intricacies of long-term care planning. Ms. DeWall earned her J.D. degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

Mr. Lynch focuses in the areas of estate planning, probate, business and corporate planning, elder law, asset protection, residential and commercial real estate, and related litigation. He represents many of the law firm’s transactional clients, helping individuals create estate plans, start businesses, and buy and sell real estate. Mr. Lynch enjoys working with clients across the wealth spectrum, helping them avoid a costly probate process and simplify the management of assets during their lifetimes. He has helped clients with hundreds of acres in land holdings, family camps, large investment and retirement accounts, vast firearms collections, family conflicts, special needs children, diverse business interests, and more. Mr. Lynch earned his B.S. from Northern Michigan University (with honors), and his J.D. degree from Michigan State University College of Law (with honors).

Ms. Patterson, Esq. is a distinguished attorney who is the Principal Attorney of the esteemed law firm Patterson Justice Counsel, PLLC. She is also the President and Director of Research at The PuLSE Institute, a nationally renowned independent, nonpartisan anti-poverty think tank. Both organizations are headquartered in the historic city of Detroit, Michigan USA. Driven by conviction that the law is an important instrument of justice that can make a positive difference, Ms. Patterson began her legal career as a United States Federal Government Attorney, working for the Social Security Administration (SSA). Serving in one of the Federal Government’s key agencies that administers benefits for millions of Americans, Attorney Patterson trained at SSA Hearing and Appeals Division Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside the nation’s capital. In her role at the Social Security Administration, she was designated as an Attorney Advisor to Administrative Law Judges across the United States and United States Territories, including Puerto Rico. Ms. Patterson advised judges and wrote judicial opinions concerning Title II and Title XVI Social Security Benefits, which ensured judicial integrity and the legitimacy of the adjudicative process in the application of the law in granting relief to Social Security beneficiaries. As a veteran legal practitioner, Attorney Patterson leads clients on the transformational journey of becoming the legacy pioneers of their generation through properly and appropriately planning, preparing, protecting, preserving, and passing their valuable assets, financial wealth, and wisdom for the benefit of succeeding generations.

Committed to her craft, Ms. Patterson holds a Certificate of Completion in the Probate and Estate Planning Certification Program through the Institute of Continuing Education in Michigan. A skilled advocate in the courtroom, she is also dedicated to helping clients navigate the difficulties presented by legal challenges and effectively guides and represents them when confronting conflicts in the complex court process. 

Armed with a decade of legal expertise that has placed her at the center of solving some of the most complex legal issues for clients, as well as serving as a public advocate on the issues, Ms. Patterson has built and led influential businesses and nonprofit organizations that have made meaningful and lasting impact. Her work has established her as a prominent woman in executive leadership, including being one of the handful of Black women leading major national think tanks and among the rare 2% of Black women lawyers in the United States. A frequent analyst and sought after speaker on law, public policy, and leadership, Ms. Patterson regularly serves as a panelist and keynote speaker advocating for equitable policies and women in government and business leadership, including The PuLSE Institute’s Global Women’s History Month program with keynote by UN Under-Secretary General, Dr. Natalia Kanem. Her passion for the law, legacy, and leadership, stems from her love of history, and how it can be applied to contemporary issues in order to create a future for the betterment of humanity. Ms. Patterson is the author of many published articles on estate planning, economic policy, and public leadership, and is the author of an upcoming book on the principles to apply for leaving a lasting and transcending legacy, due for release soon.

Mr. Quinn is a distinguished attorney with over 20 years of expertise in Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law. His remarkable career is marked by numerous accolades, including multiple recognitions as a Top 10 Attorney in Michigan for Estate Planning and being named one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Michigan by the National Black Lawyers for consecutive years. Beyond his legal accomplishments, Mr. Quinn leadership journey began during his college years when he played football for the University of Michigan. As an active member of the 1997 National Championship football team during his senior year, he demonstrated the same dedication and teamwork that he now brings to his legal practice. He currently serves as the Chair of the Real Property Trusts and Estates Section of the National Bar Association and has been a consistent contributor to Michigan’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), where he also served on the Executive Committee for years. Mr. Quinn’s role as a sought-after speaker by bar associations, Continuing Legal Education organizations and churches nationwide underscores his passion for sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise. In addition to his professional achievements, he is deeply committed to his community, serving as an ordained pastor. Mr. Quinn personal life is equally inspiring, having been married to his beloved wife, Adrienne, for over two decades. Together, they have two wonderful children, Titus and Jaida. His life and career are a testament to high achievement, leadership, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. Mr. Quinn journey from a national championship football player to a top-tier attorney and community leader exemplifies the heights one can reach with dedication, passion, and a drive to serve others.

Mr. Yonkers main areas of practice are elder law and estate planning. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked as a Legal Clerk and has focused his education and practice in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law. He is a NAELA member. Mr. Yonkers is passionate about the outdoors and volunteers with the Friends of Harlow Lake trail builders group, the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, and the 906 Adventure Team, a youth cycling group where he has served as a coach and on the Board of Directors. Mr. Younkers earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Ferris State University and completed his Juris Doctorate at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Mr. DeFilippis is a partner with 20 years of tax experience. He specializes in gift, estate, and fiduciary taxation and planning. He brings a unique skill set to all areas of wealth transfer planning and compliance including estate, gift, generation-skipping transfer tax planning, fiduciary income tax, fiduciary accounting, charitable planning, and business succession planning. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, Mr. DeFilippis practiced law for some of New Jersey’s top law firms in the areas of estate planning, including drafting and implementing of complex estate planning documents, estate administration, estate and gift tax compliance, probate litigation, and guardianships. His legal experience provides him with a unique and well-rounded perspective in areas of the trust and estate planning and compliance that serves his clients well at Citrin Cooperman. Mr. DeFilippis is admitted to the New Jersey, New York, and Florida bars.

Ms. Ferrantelli has a diverse background in public accounting with over ten years dedicated to delivering complex Trust, Estate, Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax planning, administration, and tax services to the clients she serves. As director, She has broad national tax experience. Ms. Ferrantelli has a deep understanding of fiduciary and transfer taxes and employs a collaborative approach with clients and their advisors to ensure client goals are defined, implemented and achieved. Planning areas include multi-generational wealth preservation through transfer tax strategies, charitable giving and succession planning. She also assists individual and corporate trustees with administration services by way of providing fiduciary accounting services and complex tax analyses.

Ms. Niemela has over 30 years of extensive experience in High Net Worth, Tax Planning, and Trust and Estate practices. She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administrative Accounting from Montana State University of Billings. Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, she held a significant leadership position as a shareholder with Anderson ZurMuehlen and Company. Her deep knowledge of the High Net Worth, Tax Planning, and Trust and Estate practices field has been instrumental in guiding clients through complex financial decisions, ensuring compliance and optimizing wealth preservation. Ms. Niemela’s holistic approach to trust and estate compliance and planning positions her as a reliable partner for clients seeking expert financial guidance. At Citrin Cooperman, she leverages her expertise to provide strategic financial solutions that drive tangible results. With a track record of transforming financial challenges into opportunities, Ms. Niemela is dedicated to nurturing the financial well-being for individuals and organizations alike.

Ms. Oboda is a partner with over two decades of experience in public accounting. With a focus in trust and estates, she provides tax, financial, estate, and succession planning. She specializes in coordinating family group returns, including their entities, trusts, and private foundations, in addition to their personal returns. Ms. Oboda clients include trusts and estates, high net worth individuals, closely-held businesses. She is an active member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice. Ms. Oboda has presented at a number of events and has written a number of articles relating to estate planning. She has a well-rounded background due to her experience working at firms that has exposed her to all aspects of engagements, including bookkeeping and attest work (401k and not-for-profit audits). Ms. Oboda has significant tax experience, working with corporate, partnership, S-Corp, trusts, and individual returns, awarding her with an in-depth understanding of the engagement and her client’s transactions.

Mr. Abrahams specializes in Tax Planning, Tax Litigation, Estate Planning and Probate matters. He helps clients meet their legal and tax planning goals and objectives in the areas of business tax planning, entity formation, business transactions, wealth preservation, protection of assets, estate planning and probate estates. Mr. Abrahams also advises clients who have been contacted by the IRS regarding an audit or dispute of a tax return or a tax assessment. He represents individuals and businesses in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Ohio. Mr. Abrahams has published in numerous tax-related publications including: “Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts as an Effective Estate Tax Reduction Technique” in The Practical Tax Lawyer (Summer 2013) and ABA Section of Taxation News Quarterly (Summer 2013); “Employment Cases and Planning Implications” in the ABA Tax Times (November, 2017); “Medical Cannabis Business Operations: How can business owners navigate the Tax and Banking Law Minefields” in Bloomberg Tax (Tax Management Memorandum – February 4, 2019) (Reprinted in Maryland State Bar Association Tax Talk in 3 parts in 2019 and 2020); “Graegin Loans – Another Way to Reduce Estate Tax” in Bloomberg Tax (Tax Management Memorandum – May 2, 2019); “Representing the Professional Selling or Purchasing a Minority Interest in a Corporate Practice” in The Practical Tax Lawyer (Winter 2022) (Reprinted in Maryland State Bar Association Tax Talk in May 2022); “Update on Worker Classification for Professional Practices and Businesses” in The Practical Tax Lawyer (Winter 2023) (Reprinted in Maryland State Bar Association Tax Talk in Spring 2023).

Mr. Abrahams has over 25 years of substantive legal experience. In addition to a law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, he has an Advanced Degree in Taxation from the Georgetown University Law Center. He is licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Ohio. Additionally, he is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the Federal 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Bornino’s practice focuses on assisting business owners with ownership transition planning and execution, with specialties in valuation advisory and ESOP advisory. He has been active in the national ESOP community for 25+ years and has been involved in 1,000+ ESOP advisory and valuation engagements. ESOP services provided include ESOP feasibility studies, initial ESOP valuations, ESOP implementation consulting, transaction advisory and structuring (company-side and trustee-side representation), annual ESOP valuations, fairness and solvency opinions, ESOP valuation report reviews, ESOP dispute consulting and advisory, and ESOP trustee advisory. Mr. Bornino currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Ohio/Kentucky Chapter of the ESOP Association and is the Chairman of its ESOP Awareness Committee and a member of its Membership Committee. He is a past winner of The ESOP Association’s Membership Recruitment Award for his work championing Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Mr. Bornino earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio University and his MBA in Finance and Economics from Case Western University.

Mr. Grundy’s main areas of practice include estate planning, succession planning, probate and business law. He has spoken at several continuing education seminars for lawyers on topics of estate planning, probate, and small business over the years. Mr. Grundy has spoken at the national conference of a Protestant denomination on the topic of “business as missions” in 2013. He has traveled extensively nationally, with limited international travel, in support of a few of his clients and the business as missions movement. Mr. Grundy is a member and coach of the OPEN Network of non-profit/charitable organizations. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of Akron School of Law.

Mr. Jamison, joined Prairie Capital Advisors in 2016 and is a shareholder in the firm. He is responsible for business development and growth initiatives and focuses on advising business owners about ownership transition alternatives including employee stock ownership plans (“ESOPs”) and mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”), among others. Services include adequate consideration analyses, feasibility studies, transaction financing and restructuring, fairness and solvency opinions, post-transaction cash flow analyses and annual valuations. Mr. Jamison has performed valuation and M&A work on a variety of companies in various industries. He also frequently presents webinars and speaks at conferences, including those hosted by Prairie as well as The ESOP Association (“TEA”), the National Center for Employee Ownership (“NCEO”) and the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (“OEOC”) on topics including ESOPs, sustainability, and other ownership transition matters. Mr. Jamison also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Ohio/Kentucky ESOP Chapter, is an officer for the Michigan chapter of the ESOP Association and sits on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Center for Employee Ownership (“TNCEO”). He earned his undergraduate degree from Bellarmine University, his Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University.

 Mr. Scott founded his practice in 2011, beginning in California. In 2020, he and his family relocated to Southeastern Ohio, where he has established a practice in Marietta. His license to practice in West Virginia is pending. Mr. Scott and his dedicated teams focus entirely on helping families and business owners to plan their futures. Working in close collaboration with a trusted network of financial advisers, CPAs, bankers, and real estate professionals, he delivers high-quality legal services in a no-nonsense fashion. He has prepared well over 3,500 estate and business plans, from basic revocable trusts to complex special-needs and asset-protection planning. Many of his cases involve high-net-worth business owners who desire sound strategies for their succession and tax minimization goals.

Mr. Scott received a Bachelor of Music degree with emphasis in Vocal Performance from Brigham Young University. He has sung in multiple countries and in a dozen languages, including an appearance at Carnegie Hall.  Mr. Scott has released two solo albums under his own label and continues to perform as occasion permits, including for clients on vintage grand pianos at his offices. Having held FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses, as well as life, accident, and health with annuities and long-term care licenses for many years, He brings a deeper knowledge of the financial implications of legal decisions on important planning considerations. Although he gave up those licenses in 2021 to focus entirely on the law, he remains deeply connected to the financial industry and maintains important relationships to better serve his clients.

Ms. Blattner is an attorney in private practice. She brings considerable skills, passion, and excellence in the areas of probate litigation, probate administration, and Guardianships/Conservatorships. Ms. Blattner represents clients in all different capacities, assists with the Courts as a Guardian ad Litem, and collaborates with fellow counsel. She is an active member of the Colorado Bar Association, including the Elder Law Section as a legislative liaison, as well as the El Paso County Bar Association – Probate Section. Ms. Blattner is also a member of the National Guardianship Association and serves as a Board of Director of the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center. She has been actively involved in the general and legal community throughout her legal career and has received a number of awards and accolades for her community involvement. Through the Civic and Community Affairs Subcommittee, she began serving as the Managing Editor of the Senior Law Handbook in 2023, a joint publication of the Colorado Bar Association and Colorado Legal Education in Colorado, Inc. Ms. Blattner has presented to the community and other legal professionals on a variety of topics over the years, including Domestic Relations Cases, Guardianships/Conservatorships, NGA Standards of Practice for professional Guardians and Conservators, basic estate planning, and probate administration. She grew up in Lakewood, Colorado, and attended the University of Colorado at Denver where she received her B.S. in Business Management, cum laude, and then her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver – Sturm College of Law in 2009. Ms. Blattner strongly feels that a person’s rights are not determined by their age or level of capacity. She strives to use collaborative approaches to find solutions for families during all stages of life.

Mr. Roth is the Managing Partner of the Probate & Estate Planning Division of Gasper Law Group. He joined the Gasper Law Group in 2017 after twenty years as a prosecutor. Mr. Roth started as an intern in the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, trying numerous misdemeanors and DUI’s while still in law school. Upon graduation, Mr. Roth joined the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, progressing through the specialty units of Economic Crime, Gang Prosecution, Vehicular Homicide, Special Victims Unit and eventually homicide cases in El Paso and Teller Counties. He then joined the Violent Crimes Assistance Team at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Special Prosecution Unit where he traveled the state, assisting and trying complex homicide and death penalty cases. Mr. Roth has also taught search and seizure, courtroom testimony, and officer involved shooting classes at several police academies, the Central Mountain Training Foundation for detectives and at Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (“COVA”) conferences. In addition to his prosecutorial experience, he was a reserve officer for the Parker Police department for thirteen years where he worked as a patrol officer, seeing both sides of law enforcement. He brings his vast experience in the courtroom to The Gasper Law Group where he represents clients in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning. Mr. Roth earned his Law Degree from the University of Denver in 1999 and his undergraduate degree, a self-constructed criminal justice major with a minor in business administration, in the scenic setting of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. Before law school, he also played football for the semi-pro team, Colorado Springs Hornets. In any remaining spare time, the fifth generation Coloradoan enjoys researching the history of Colorado’s historic ghost towns and mining towns, taking his German Shepherd on hikes, and yelling in frustration at Broncos, Avalanche or Rockies games.

Ms. Seal is of counsel at Gasper Law Group in Colorado Springs. She is the Public Administrator for the Fourth Judicial District of Colorado, serving El Paso and Teller Counties. Ms. Seal is the first person ever awarded an LL.M. Degree in Elder Law from the Stetson University College of Law, graduating with honors. She is a past chair of the National Guardianship Network. Ms. Seal is a member of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trusts and Estate Law Section where she is a past chair of the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee and a member of the Senior Lawyers Division. She serves as an ABA advisor to the ABA Commission on Law and Aging. Ms. Seal is a former President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is past-chair of the Guardianship Section and is a Fellow of the Academy. She is one of only seven attorneys in Colorado designated a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. Ms. Seal is the author of Colorado Elder Law, published by Thompson West Publishing as part of their Colorado Practice Series. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of elder law, protective proceedings, probate, financial exploitation of the elderly, and related matters.

Mr. Bowden is an Atlanta native, who attended high school at The Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut, before graduating from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. He then attended Emory University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. After college, Mr. Bowden worked for an internationally recognized law firm in Atlanta before enrolling at the Emory University School of Law, from which he earned his Juris Doctor in 2012.

During law school, Mr. Bowden worked for the Honorable Michael Johnson in the Superior Court of Fulton County and the Honorable Julie Carnes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. After law school, He briefly interned with the Honorable Robert Flournoy, III in the Superior Court of Cobb County.

In February 2013, Mr. Bowden started his own legal practice, Bowden Law, LLC, focusing primarily on estate planning, estate administration, estate litigation, guardianship, conservatorship, and business planning. In March 2017, he affiliated his practice with the firm of Johnson & Ward. Mr. Bowden has extensive experience not only in the estate planning, estate administration, trust, guardianship, conservatorship, and business planning areas, but also in the personal injury, landlord/tenant, domestic relations, creditor/debtor, traffic disputes, and general litigation areas.

Since joining The Bowden Law Firm in January 2020, Mr. Bowden has focused his practice on estate planning, probate and estate administration, trust administration, including the removal and appointment of trustees and judicial and non-judicial trust modifications, business planning, and guardianship and conservatorship appointments, including emergency guardianships and emergency conservatorships.

Ms. Boyd’s practice focuses on estate planning, transfer tax planning, and charitable giving. In particular, she advises clients regarding sophisticated wealth transfer strategies, business succession planning, and the formation and taxation of private foundations and other charities.

Ms. Boyd was a member of the inaugural 2022-2023 class of the Southeast Fellows Institute of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a member of the 2022-2023 class of the Philanthropic Advisor Leadership Institute. She has previously served as the Secretary of the State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law Section Code Revision Committee and currently sits on the boards of two Atlanta charities.

Mr. Brooks is an Atlanta-based estate planning and probate firm serving clients throughout Georgia. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law, his alma mater, and holds an LL.M. from the University of Florida Graduate Tax Program. Mr. Brooks is an active member of STEP, the Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the Atlanta Bar Association, and various other professional organizations.

Ms. Lacey nationally recognized expert in elder law and special needs planning, she has over thirty years of experience in matters involving estate planning, probate, elder law, and planning for disability. Ms. Lacey is one of a handful of Certified Elder Law Attorneys in Georgia and has been a member of the Special Needs Alliance for over two decades.

Mr. Ouzts is an Associate in the firm’s Jacksonville office. His Practice concentrates on estate planning, trust and estate administration, gift and estate taxation, probate, and representation of tax-exempt organizations. Mr. Ouzts brings a well-rounded background to these areas, drawing from his legal education and practical experience.

Passionate about taxation, Mr. Ouzts obtained his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He earned his Juris Doctor degree at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, graduating cum laude. During law school, Forbes was an active member of the Phi Delta Phi Honor Society, the Business, Bankruptcy & Tax Law Society, and the Mercer Low Income Tax Clinic. Mr. Ouzts earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Florida. He is licensed to practice law in Georgia and is in the process of becoming licensed in Florida.

Mr. Saunders is licensed in Alabama and Georgia to practice law, and focuses his practice in estate and trust planning and administration, probate matters, and nonprofit/tax exempt organizations.

He assists individuals and families preserve and transfer wealth to their loved ones and charitable organizations by crafting and implementing a variety of estate planning techniques, including the routine preparation of wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and revocable and irrevocable trusts. Mr. Saunders also assists individual and corporate administrators, executors, and trustees with estate, probate, and trust administrations. Such strategies focus on advising individuals and families with regards to estate planning, income, estate, gift, and generation-skipping tax issues, and tax savings and minimizing strategies. He has helped blended families, non-married couples, and others configure optimum estate planning options. Mr. Saunders advises family businesses about succession planning and other entrepreneurs in entity formation matters.

His practice also involves representing beneficiaries of estates and trusts. Mr. Saunders frequently supports a family’s team of accountants, financial planners, insurance agents, and other financial advisors in the preparation of estate plans, and filing of gift tax returns, estate tax returns, and fiduciary income tax returns. He also routinely receives guardian ad litem appointments from local courts.

Mr. Saunders often works closely with nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, from counseling donors in achieving charitable planning and giving goals to helping numerous entities and organizations of all sizes and budgets obtain and maintain federal tax exemption as well as routinely guiding these nonprofit and other tax-exempt organizations with incorporating or designing effective policies.

Mr. Turner has practiced as an estate planning attorney for over a decade with a particular focus on complex estate and wealth transfer planning, wealth preservation planning, and estate and trust administration. His diverse experience includes advising clients on a range of issues, including business succession planning, charitable planning, educating next generation family members, and family office planning.

As a fifth-generation family owner of a Georgia company with diverse asset composition, Mr. Turner understands the complexities and nuances of the intra-family issues that arise in the family business context from both a personal and professional standpoint. This unique perspective on multi-generational estate and family business planning enables him to provide practical and customized solutions that address his clients unique needs and goals.

Ms. Berthelot is an Assistant Professor in Residence and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) at the University of Connecticut. She is also the Editor and Chief for NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) News. Her research and advocacy is primarily about access to healthcare for people who are over sixty-five and for people with disabilities. She earned her Master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University, after which she designed, implemented, and then coordinated a Joint Commission Accredited hospice program in the Mississippi delta. Finding herself fascinated by the legal and ethical questions surrounding death and dying, Ms. Berthelot pursued her law degree at the University of Mississippi. After graduating, cum laude. She joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a national not-for-profit law firm. As a senior attorney, Ms. Berthelot oversaw the Center’s advocacy efforts. She also provided legal advice and representation to Medicare beneficiaries unfairly denied Medicare coverage or access to healthcare, wrote articles for national publications, produced educational materials, engaged in educational outreach activities with a particular focus on the Medicare hospice benefit, was a contributing author to the Medicare Handbook, and served as co-counsel for federal class action lawsuits challenging improper Medicare policies. Also while with the Center, Ms. Berthelot was the lead Medicare trainer for Connecticut’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program and for Connecticut’s Medicare Senior Patrol. She is a former chair of the steering committee for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ Health Care Section and she is the former Connecticut liaison for National Healthcare Decisions Day. Ms. Berthelot is currently a member of the Mansfield Town Council.

Mr. Bickford is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Connecticut School of Law. From 1974 through 1981 he was employed by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. During his last three years there he was director of the Senior Citizens Law Project covering North Central Connecticut. From January 1982 through October 1992 Mr. Bickford was a partner in the firm of Weed & Bickford (formerly Weed, Kerrigan & Bickford), engaged in the general practice of law. On November 1, 1992 he opened the Law Offices of George B. Bickford as a sole practitioner in East Granby, Connecticut and, as of July 1, 2009, the firm is known as the Law Offices of George B. Bickford, LLC. The office consists of two attorneys and a highly trained paralegal staff concentrating in elder law issues. For many years he has been a guest speaker before bar, medical, social service and public groups on the topics of Social Security, Medicaid and estate planning for the elderly with long-term medical needs, the area in which he currently limits his practice. Mr. Bickford was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimers Association Connecticut Chapter for many years, and he continues to provide them counsel and assistance. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the Connecticut Bar Association.

Birch Grove Legal PLLC, a legacy planning and administration law firm located in Denver and Castle Rock. Mr. Bjorklund uses a legacy focused planning approach that helps clients ensure they make the impact they want to make on future generations. He also has first hand experience with administering various types of trusts and representing beneficiaries, trustees, and trust protectors in administration disputes.

Mr. Burton focuses his practice on business, tax, and estate planning. Prior to law school, he served in the U.S. Army and National Security Agency as an Arabic linguist and Mission Manager. While attending law school He gained valuable experience at the Denver Probate Court and the Internal Revenue Service. After graduating from the University of Denver with a dual-degree in law and taxation, he clerked for Judge Marcelo Kopcow in Colorado’s Nineteenth Judicial District. In 2018 Mr. Burton entered private practice and began representing individuals and corporate clients with respect to real estate and corporate matters including complex leasing, financing, and purchase and sale transactions. Mr. Burton later joined a boutique law firm where he combined his knowledge of tax law with his corporate and real estate experience to specialize exclusively on trust and estate planning, administration, and litigation, particularly for clients who hold various business and real estate interests. He understands that each client’s needs and objectives are unique. Although he is knowledgeable in sophisticated techniques designed to save transfer taxes, he also understands the value that many clients place on simplicity and clarity. Mr. Burton takes great pride in providing his clients (and their families) with the peace of mind that comes with a thoughtful and efficient estate plan.

Ms. Dougherty Anderson is a Colorado native and the owner of her private law practice www.coloradoestateplanner.com. She specializes in Trust and Estate Planning, Probate Administration, and Business Law. She is proud of having the best paralegal and office support staff, as they are all stellar. Ms. Dougherty Anderson is a member of the Colorado Bar Association Trust and Estate Section, serving on the Orange Book of Forms committee. She is on the Board for the Golden Civic Association, currently serving her first term as Vice President. Ms. Dougherty Anderson was an Ambassador for the Golden Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Golden Graduate (class of ’22). She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications/ News Broadcasting from the University of Florida & a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Ms. Dougherty Anderson is a graduate of the National Judicial College and has a certificate in Administrative Law after her many years of Government service for the Colorado Department of Revenue.

Alex Kirven is Special Counsel with GEM Family Law. He practiced as an associate attorney for four years in the tax and estate planning group at Sherman & Howard in Denver before starting the estate planning practice at GEM Family Law. Mr. Kirven enjoys the challenges of estate planning and creating customized solutions for his clients and their families He grew up in Wyoming and received a master’s degree in Russian and Soviet history before attending law school at the University of Colorado. As a former teacher, Mr. Kirven is always eager to share his expertise with others, whether that be about tax planning or history.

Mr. Metzner focuses his practice on trust and estate law, wealth transfer planning and business formation and operation. His practice includes preparation of wills, living trusts, irrevocable insurance trusts, gift trusts and a variety of other tax advantageous business entities. In addition, he represents fiduciaries, heirs and beneficiaries in the resolution of probate and trust-related disputes. Mr. Metzner is a member the Colorado, Denver and Arapahoe County bar associations. He earned his J.D. degree from the University of Denver Law School, his M.B.A. degree from the University of Daniels College of Business and will complete his LL.M. degree in Taxation this December from the University of Denver Law School. Mr. Metzner is a frequent presenter on estate planning topics.

Ms. Klenk is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. She began her legal career almost 30 years ago at the downtown Los Angeles office of the esteemed firm of O’Melveny and Myers, LLP, where she was mentored in estate planning and administration by the best of the best, and represented some of LA’s most renowned movers, shakers, and CEOs. Ms. Klenk established Beach Cities Estate Law in 2017, with a goal of bringing the big firm quality and expertise closer to home in her native South Bay area of Los Angeles. She and her team serve clients in estate planning, as well as trust and estate administration matters. Ms. Klenk has a special knack for tackling complex estate, gift, and property tax issues in both planning and administration. She’s a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (magna cum laude) and UCLA Law School (Order of the Coif Honor Society). Ms. Klenk currently serves as President of the South Bay Estate Planning Council, a non-profit association affiliated with the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils dedicated to enhancing the proficiency of advisors who are active in the field of trusts and estates. When she’s not at work, she volunteers, travels, and sharpens her client interview and negotiation skills by attempting to communicate with her college-aged children.

Mr. Nickerson was raised in Southern California, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Finance & MBA from Cal State University Long Beach. After several years preparing contracts for a major aerospace company, he returned to law school where he served on the law review and obtained a Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. He utilized these skills in aerospace in managing a large contracts organization where responsibilities included contracts, export licensing, software licensing and patent applications. Mr. Nickerson and his wife & two sons purchased their first home in Murrieta in 1989. In 2010, he left aerospace and launched his law practice in Murrieta. The practice is focused solely on estate planning & administration and special needs trusts. He and his wife are founders of Exceptional Sports, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing recreational sports opportunities to those with special needs. Mr. Nickerson passion is providing special needs advice & counsel to special needs families. He is an active member of the Riverside County Bar – Estate Planning Section, Southwest Riverside County Bar Association, Temecula Estate Planning Group, Wealth Counsel and Academy of Special Needs Planners. Mr. Nickerson is also an avid supporter of Special Olympics, Yellowstone Park Foundation and Yosemite Conservancy. He loves spending time outdoors  and also with family & friends.

Ms. Secord is a Real Estate & Estate Planning Attorney based in San Diego, CA and the owner of Your Home Legal, APC. With licensure spanning Virginia, Washington, D.C., and California, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her practice. Ms. Secord’s career began with the ownership of a title company in Virginia and expanded as she managed an escrow company equivalent at a prestigious law firm in Alexandria, VA. Her East Coast practice also included real estate and estate litigation in state court and complex business litigation in federal court. Ms. Secord relocated in San Diego in 2017 and works with clients throughout the state of California and beyond. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the New England School of Law. Ms. Secord’s unique skill set in Residential Transactional Real Estate and Estate Planning has made her a sought-after resource in her field. She combines legal acumen with a genuine commitment to helping her clients navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence and clarity. As an active member of the professional community, Ms. Secord is actively involved in ProVisors as the GLA of her home group and serving on the executive committee of the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. She also serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Townspeople, a San Diego-based non-profit dedicated to providing permanent housing solutions to the unhoused. Ms. Secord’s leadership and advocacy in this role underscore her dedication to community service and social impact. Beyond her professional endeavors, She is an avid watercolor painter, an enthusiastic softball coach and player in the America’s Finest City Softball League and enjoys paddle boarding. Ms. Secord’s also the mom to a sweet kiddos and 2 crazy ginger cats.

An adjunct professor of Wills and Trusts at Southwestern Law School, recently named a top attorney in Pasadena Magazine, and a Rising Star™ selected by Super Lawyers®, Ms. Terzian began her legal career as a trust officer for Wells Fargo, N.A. Her experience at Wells Fargo – working closely with clients, portfolio managers, beneficiaries, and other attorneys – shed light on how a poor estate plan can ruin a family’s fortune and more importantly, their relationships. After witnessing firsthand, the importance of proper planning, Ms. Terzian pursued her own practice, helping countless families through her expertise in estate and tax planning, probate, and trust administration. What sets her apart is her understanding of the needs of growing families, her ability to relate to working parents who desire a better life for themselves and their families, and her know-how in implementing strategic estate-planning tools in the most cost-efficient and seamless manner. Ms. Terzian also draws on her real estate and business background in crafting comprehensive plans for her clients. She is a skilled public speaker, having conducted countless seminars throughout her legal career on various estate-planning topics, including kids’ protection planning, special needs planning, Medi-Cal planning, advanced tax planning, and asset protection for individuals and small businesses. Ms. Terzian is a faculty member at the Institute for Preparing Heirs®. She is an active member of the La Cañada Flintridge community, where she resides with her husband, Edward, and two sons, Alec and Jack. Ms. Terzian is a board director of the La Cañada Education Foundation and participates in a number of charitable organizations. She has successfully raised thousands of dollars for a variety of charitable causes through fundraising campaigns, which include frequent community-based public speaking events, charitable dinners, and personal contributions. Ms. Terzian believes that the foundation to a successful family unit is care, love, and selflessness, and she stresses the importance of providing your community with these same tenets that are so essential to your own family’s success. In May 2018, she merged her practice with a Pasadena-based estate-planning firm, Primuth and Driskell, LLP, now known as Primuth, Driskell, and Terzian, LLP, which later merged with Lagerlof, LLP. As a family woman, Ms. Terzian understands the importance of protecting assets, planning for the future, and building your own legacy. She takes pride in providing her clients with the sense of comfort and security that comes along with having an effective and comprehensive estate plan in place.

Ms. Cort focuses her practice on resolving Federal and New York State tax controversies. For over twenty years, she has assisted individuals and businesses with IRS and NYS tax matters including New York State and New York City residency audits, IRS and NYS audits and appeals, unfiled returns, income tax, sales tax, withholding tax, responsible person assessments, liens and levies, tax warrants, innocent spouse, voluntary disclosure, installment agreements and offers in compromise. Ms. Cort has been selected to New York Metro Super Lawyers, a designation given to only five percent of the lawyers in the state. She has served as Chair of the IRS Downstate New York Practitioner Liaison Group and Chair of the Business Law, Tax and Accounting Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Ms. Cort is a member of the Executive Committee of the NYS Bar Association Tax Section, where she has contributed to policy papers. She is also a Co-Chair of the Attorneys and Accountants Joint Committee of the NYS Society of CPAs, Nassau Chapter.

Mr. Reed concentrates his practice on state tax controversies, planning and unclaimed property. A former litigator for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, he has represented clients in state tax controversy matters in over 30 states and has obtained favorable letter rulings for clients in several different jurisdictions. Mr. Reed regularly advises on the constitutionality of state tax positions, the availability of exemptions and incentives, and how to source revenue streams for state corporate income tax and sales tax purposes. He has handled New York qui tam (whistleblower) lawsuit litigation and received widespread acclaim for arguing and winning the closely-watched IT USA, Inc. case before the New York Tax Appeals Tribunal. Besides state tax, Mr. Reed also devotes a significant part of his practice to unclaimed property. In the federal tax area, he has favorably resolved IRS audits and has successfully represented taxpayers in appeals conferences before the IRS Office of Appeals. Mr. Reed is the author of “The Reed Report,” a State Tax Notes column. He also writes a “Shop Talk” column for the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives. Mr. Reed is the former editor in chief of the State and Local Tax Lawyer and is on the State and Local Tax Executive Committees for both the American Bar Association and the New York City Bar Association.

Rothenberg Tax Law is a boutique law firm with a niche focus in federal and state tax controversy and multistate state and local tax consulting. Mr. Rothenberg is the former Practice Leader for Tax Controversy Services for a top 15 accounting firm. He represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service and various state revenue departments, with special expertise in matters before the New York Department of Taxation and Finance, the New York City Finance Department, and the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Among other areas, he specializes in residency taxation, sales and use taxation, responsible person assessment defense, remote worker taxation, and multistate nexus analyses, as well as tax audits and appeals for businesses and business owners. Mr. Rothenberg is a frequent lecturer and author on numerous tax topics, and he genuinely enjoys his work assisting clients from high-net-worth individuals to smaller mom/pop operations with their tax entanglements.

Ms. Zaffram is a member of the firm’s Real Estate & Finance Group, where she focuses her practice on federal and state tax law, with particular emphasis on tax-exempt financings and state and local finance law. In the area of public finance, Pietra has assisted with numerous tax-exempt bond financings and has experience conducting tax due diligence review and drafting tax documents required for tax-exempt bond closings. As tax counsel, she also provides tax advice relating to the structuring of financings to comply with state and federal tax law, addressing ongoing arbitrage and rebate issues, determining qualified versus unqualified costs, and reviewing reissuance questions. Ms. Zaffram assists companies in obtaining tax savings through transactions with Industrial Development Agencies and Local Development Corporations and provides counsel on the federal Opportunity Zones Program.

Driven by a passion for solving problems and a deep sense of compassion, Mr. Fogarty has a commitment to help families navigate life’s challenges. The Heartland Law Firm helps families through life’s transitions, protecting and restoring order and well-being to clients. Throughout his career, He has guided countless clients through the complexities of estate planning, ensuring their legacies are protected and their wishes honored. Mr. Fogarty’s expertise extends to wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and elder law, with a particular focus on safeguarding client well-being through major life events.

After going on Medicare a few years ago he decided that if he could get the proper training and certification, he would like to help other people with the process of getting Medicare Supplements and plans. Mr. Gray specializes in helping both people going on Medicare for the first time as well as people who are already on Medicare navigate the Medicare maze and pick the best and most cost effective plan for their individual needs. The process is complicated but he helps make it simple and easy to understand. Besides meeting with clients he holds information Medicare 101 meetings in the local area at various venues, including Medical Centers, libraries and community centers. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University. Mr. Gray is a Registered Certified Public Accountant and is also a licensed insurance agent. He has over 40 years’ experience working with investment management organizations and financial distribution companies in leadership roles.

Ms. Moreno is a CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney), an exclusive honor bestowed on a select group of attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. There are only 17 CELAs in Illinois providing creative solutions for clients who are faced with elder law issues. From complete estate and long-term care planning to addressing urgent and often expensive healthcare situations, she devotes her practice to advocating and helping individuals and families maximize the independence and quality of life of seniors and people with disabilities. Her practice focuses in estate planning, adult guardianships, estate and trust administration and litigation, including financial exploitation, will and trust contests, fiduciary disputes, issues of capacity, powers of attorney, undue influence, citations and fraud. Ms. Moreno also handles long-term care planning, Medicaid, Medicaid appeals, special needs planning and disability law. She is on the Board of Directors and is the immediate past president of the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (IL NAELA), an organization closely involved in advancing legislation on behalf of elder law attorneys and their clients.

Mr. Pieper has been practicing law for over thirty (30) years, focusing his area of expertise in Probate, involving the administration and litigation of adult disabled estates, decedent’s estates, and minor’s estates. He is regularly appointed as a Guardian ad Litem, attorney for respondents in adult guardianship cases, and as a special administrator in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Mr. Pieper also provides estate planning for his clients, including drafting wills, trusts and Powers of Attorney. In addition to probate matters, he also serves clients seeking residential real estate assistance. He has spoken on various topics, including assisting attorneys in the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (“CVLS”) training program for Guardians ad Litem, and the Guardian ad Litem’s role in domestic violence situations. Mr. Pieper has been a member with CVLS for over 20 years. In 2002 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the CVLS in recognition of the pro bono work that he has done for the organization. In 2017, He received the Pro Bono Alumni Award from DePaul University College of Law. Joe was also one of the attorneys featured in the September 2011 issue of Chicago Lawyer in the magazine’s issue on pro bono work. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Pieper worked for Merrill Lynch Futures in its Commodity Operations Division at the Chicago Board of Trade for sixteen (16) years. He filled various management roles at Merrill Lynch. While working at Merrill Lynch, Mr. Pieper attended Northwestern University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics graduating with honors as a Phi Beta Kappa. He then went on to DePaul University College of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor, and graduated with honors in the top ten percent of his class. Mr. Pieper continues to advocate for his clients with personalized and professional attention to all matters.

Mr. Story is a seasoned Estate Planner for a range of clients and a Special Needs attorney. He knows how to help elders using specific trusts for asset protection and receiving family support, where desired. Helping elders remain at home or age in place with family members is part of his goal for helping elders, in addition to offering Estate Planning documents to facilitate their care at home and prepare Advanced Planning documents. Special Needs beneficiaries may well need to live in a community of their peers to have a more fulfilling life than living with a skilled caregiver. While it is not perfect, planning to live abroad well before long-term care is necessary is a way to obtain quality healthcare and live in a culture that values older people culturally. Mr. Story has a son, Gabriel, whom he enjoys spending time with. They like to bicycle in the beautiful forest preserve trails in Illinois and enjoy the cultural and natural joys this Great Lakes region has to offer.

Ms. Fortenberry is one of the area’s only crisis Medicaid planning attorneys, she saw a need for a firm focused on asset protection, estate planning, and Medicaid eligibility. Ms. Fortenberry founded Fortified Elder Law with expert strategies, know-how, and the experience of helping families become Medicaid eligible. Becoming an elder law attorney has allowed her to find her life’s work: helping clients preserve their life savings. Her greatest joy as an attorney has been to help keep a spouse from losing everything just because they can no longer keep their loved one at home. Oftentimes, her clients have been neglecting themselves and their own health because of the mistaken belief that they cannot afford to place their spouse in a nursing home. Others have spent almost every dime to keep someone at home. These are the clients that she loves to help. Ms. Fortenberry earned her B.A. degree from Missouri State University and her J.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University.

Ms. Kincaid earned a number accolades in the area of estate planning and elder law including being named by the Springfield Business Journal as a Trusted Adviser and being selected as one of five attorneys in the nation by the American Bar Association for a two year Trust & Estate Fellowship. She currently serves as the American Bar Association Long Term Care Committee Vice Chair and recently published an article in the national Probate & Property magazine on recent changes to Missouri’s guardianship statutes. Ms. Kincaid is a member of the Greene County Estate Planning Council, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Community Foundation of the Ozarks Professional Advisors Council, the Southern Missouri Women Lawyers, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Missouri Bar Association. She was also a member of the 2014-2015 Missouri Bar Association Leadership Academy, a recipient of the 2017 Missouri Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Award, a recipient of the 2016 Springfield Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award, and a recipient of the 2019 Springfield Business Journal’s Trusted Advisers award. Ms. Kincaid graduated cum laude from Creighton University School of Law, where she served as President of the Student Bar Association, a member of the editorial staff of the Creighton Law Review, and was a founding editor of the Creighton International and Comparative Law Journal. Prior to attending law school, She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a master’s degree in Business Administration, both from (Southwest) Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Mr. Nolan established his law firm in 1991 and his areas of practice include Wills, Probate and Estate Planning, Workers Compensation, Personal Injury and DWI & Alcohol related offenses. The firm serves the entire Metropolitan St. Louis area (including St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois). He earned his B.S and J.D. degrees from Southern Illinois University.

Ms. Overton has more than 17 years of experience advocating for those with special needs and navigating the state and federal agencies formed to help the disabled and elderly. At Paths Law Firm, her practice focuses on helping the elderly qualify for nursing home Medicaid, creating estate plans to protect beneficiaries, as well as a lot of time planning and forming businesses. Ms. Overton also enjoys helping clients form non-profit organizations and obtain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. After attending law school at the University of Oklahoma, She began representing clients before the Social Security Administration. Eventually, her practice switched to federal court appeals and she spent years representing clients before the Eastern and Western District of Missouri, the District of Kansas, and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Overton has since focused her practice on estate planning and elder law after watching clients struggle to find ways to financially care for loved ones with special needs or aging parents.

Ms. Schuster has practiced Elder and Disability law since 1999, having practiced health law since 1991. Her practice focuses on elder law issues, a growing area of law with few experienced practitioners. Ms. Schuster works with and advises social workers, geriatric and care managers, financial planners and accountants, psychiatrists and geriatric physicians about incapacity issues and financial exploitation. Her practice focuses on multi-disciplinary collaboration with these professionals to address the complex, myriad age and disability issues her clients face. Ms. Schuster personal experience with her mother and grandfather, both of whom had dementia, has given her insight into the stresses that caregivers and families endure when caring for a loved one with dementia, which led her to become a certified Elder and Adult Mediator. She assists families with facilitated conversation about difficult end-of-life issues when someone should stop driving, move to assisted living or a skilled nursing facility, delegate financial matters to someone else to high conflict matters involving contested guardianship, financial exploitation and the removal of appointees under Durable Powers of Attorney and trustees. Ms. Schuster is passionate about volunteering in the community. She is past president of the Breakthrough Coalition, a multidisciplinary group of senior care and disability community providers. Ms. Schuster is the past Vice President of Operations for Memory Care Home Solutions, past Board member for Brith Shalom Kneseth Israel, was the Co-chairperson of the BAMSL Elder Law Committee. She was a finalist as “Best Lawyer of the Year” in 2016 by St. Louis Magazine and is the “Face of Elder Law” in the June 2017 issue of St. Louis Magazine. Since 2014, Ms. Schuster has been the chairperson of an ad hoc committee of the Missouri Bar Association that has authored proposed legislation for the passage of the Designated Healthcare Decisionmaker Act.

After a successful career in the corporate realm, Mr. Smith decided to begin his own practice centered on serving people. He specializes in elder law, estate planning, special needs planning, mediation, and long-term care planning. Mr. Smith genuinely enjoys people and it shows – he listens to each person’s story and situation to help them develop a plan which best fits their family’s circumstances, financial position and life’s values. As a husband, father to five, and grandfather to a growing number, he understands the confusion that can sometimes occur in certain seasons of life. Mr. Smith believes each person is a masterpiece created to thrive in this life! Active in the legal and public community, He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Academy of Special Needs Planners, and Elder Counsel. Mr. Smith is an accredited attorney by the Veterans Administration, which allows him to advise clients and families on benefits available to veterans. He enjoys active participation in local groups aimed in serving people in the Kansas City area as they age including Northland Professionals in Aging, Northland Shepherd’s Center (Board of Directors), and Good Samaritan Center of Excelsior Springs (Board of Directors). Mr. Smith earned his Masters in Divinity at the Nazarene Theological Seminary and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Memphis – Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.