LOS ANGELES ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

For our first presentation of the decade, the Los Angeles Estate Planning Council invites you to a very special, special, special, luncheon panel presentation on “The Unique Talents and War Stories of Private Practitioners: A Case Study of Solo and Small Firms in Trusts and Estates” by David Soffer (Kanin Soffer, LLP), Michelle L. Abernathy (Gifford, Dearing & Abernathy, LLP), and Andrew Brody (The Law Office of Andrew Brody) on Tuesday, 1/28, at 11:45am.  Following our presentation, we will be hosting our inaugural post-luncheon Coffee Social from 1:30-2:30pm to encourage relationship building and business opportunities among our members and community.  During the Social, we will be distributing our printed Membership Book to paid members.

This panel presentation will focus on the unique talents of private practitioners through case studies of their recent matters to illustrate specialization within trusts and estates.  Each panelist is a youthful mid-career partner in a boutique trust in estates practice discussing issues and obstacles they see in their respective practices including law firm collaboration and management, client communication, conflicts of interest, capacity, and court involvement, to help elucidate the future of legal representation in trusts and estates.

As a friendly reminder, LAEPC will be meeting at the California Club (538 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071) in the Fireside Room.  All RSVPs for this event must be made no later than Friday, January 24th, including requests for specific dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian options).  All RSVPs and food requests made after 1/24 will not be honored.  Please come early (and stay late!) for networking opportunities.

Please note that all attendees must (a) RSVP and (b) attendees must pay guest pricing ($110) if the attendee's annual membership fee is not paid in full.  Additionally, we will no longer be offering a half-season membership.  All questions about this event or LAEPC can be directed to our head of membership, Megan I. Braun, at megan@maillianlaw.com.  We look forward to seeing you on January 28th!

David Soffer is a partner at Kanin Soffer, LLP. David's practice focuses on estate and tax planning, probate and the administration of trusts and estates. David received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned both his J.D. and his Masters of Law degree (specialization in tax) from UCLA School of Law. David previously worked at the multi-national law firms Jones Day and Proskauer Rose LLP. He was nominated as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2013 and 2014.

Michele L. Abernathy is a partner at Gifford, Dearing & Abernathy, LLP, with a practice focused on probate and trust administration and litigation.  Her probate practice has a heavy emphasis on conservatorships, where she advises professional fiduciaries, family members, and other individuals in all aspects of these court proceedings, including the initial establishment of a conservatorship, personal care and estate administration, accountings, litigation, recovery of assets, substituted judgment, title issues, and complex business matters.  She also prepares estate plans including wills, revocable trusts, guardianship nominations, durable powers for health care and finances, life insurance trusts, and related documents.

Andrew Brody is the founder of the Law Office of Andrew Brody, APC.  Andrew's practice focuses on all aspects of probate and trust administration, as well as real estate transactions.  He received his undergraduate degree from University of California, Berkeley and his J.D. from Southwestern Law School.  Prior to becoming an attorney, Andrew worked for several multi-national real estate firms such as the CIM Group and CB Richard Ellis.  His background in real estate has brought a unique perspective to his law practice.  He was nominated as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2018.