#United States #Tampa #ACTEC #Trust Law #Estate Counsel

ACTEC Elects 29 New Fellows

During the recent Annual Meeting of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), held in Tampa, Florida, an impressive class of 29 new Fellows was welcomed into the organization. This meeting, a significant gathering for members across the nation, underscored ACTEC's dedication to maintaining high standards within the trust and estate legal profession.

This year’s class comprises a diverse group, including three Academic Fellows, two International Fellows—one hailing from Canada and the other from China—one Fiduciary Counsel Fellow, and 23 private practice Fellows. Notably, ten of the newly elected Fellows are graduates of the esteemed ACTEC Fellows Institute, a program aimed at developing the next generation of leaders in the field.

ACTEC President, Margaret (Meg) G. Lodise, expressed enthusiasm about the addition of these outstanding professionals. In her remarks, she stated, “On behalf of the College, I am delighted to welcome these 29 highly regarded trust and estate lawyers and professors to the College. Their professional achievements and dedication to the field will enhance ACTEC's collective efforts, strengthening the continued advancement and future of the trust and estate profession.” Lodise's confidence in the new Fellows reflects the College's commitment to excellence.

To become a Fellow of ACTEC, candidates must demonstrate a minimum of ten years of active practice in trust and estate law or related fiduciary services. Their election as Fellows is contingent upon their illustrious reputation, exceptional skill set, and noteworthy contributions to the field through activities such as lecturing, writing, teaching, and engaging in leadership or legislative efforts. The overarching goal of ACTEC is to improve and reform the laws and practices related to probate, trust, and taxation.

The newly elected Fellows for 2026 encompass a broad geographical representation, including:

• - Brandy Baxter-Thompson (Dallas, Texas)
• - Luke C. Bean (Natick, Massachusetts)
• - Jamie K. Blair (Bethesda, Maryland)
• - Alexander Antonio Boni-Saenz (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• - Sarah J. Brownlow (Richmond, Virginia)
• - Leanne Fryer Broyles (Baltimore, Maryland)
• - Daniel P. Buckley (Milford, Connecticut)
• - Michael R. Crowder (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• - Aejaz A. Dar (Fairfax, Virginia)
• - Livia K. DeMarchis (Colchester, Vermont)
• - Paul DePasquale (New York, New York)
• - Jessica Suzanne Forrest (Cleveland, Ohio)
• - Deborah S. Gordon (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• - Jessica Stetler Grover (Birmingham, Alabama)
• - Jonathan Haskell (Greenwood Village, Colorado)
• - Alice M. Haseltine (Overland Park, Kansas)
• - Erin E. Kriksciun (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• - Gregory Eric Martin (Fort Worth, Texas)
• - Carl A. Merino (New York, New York)
• - Marty L. Oblasser (Laramie, Wyoming)
• - Andrew T. Peebles (Springfield, Missouri)
• - Rebecca S. Luster Radford (Shreveport, Louisiana)
• - Wenxia (Jane) Ren (Shanghai, China)
• - Scott E. Swenson (Wilmington, Delaware)
• - Emily S. Taylor Poppe (Irvine, California)
• - Christopher John Walker (Juneau, Alaska)
• - Kimberly Ann Whaley (Toronto, Canada)
• - Kirsten Wolff (San Francisco, California)
• - Peter J. Wyant (Racine, Wisconsin)

Established in 1949, ACTEC serves as a national nonprofit association that recognizes about 2,300 members comprising lawyers and law professors from the United States and other countries. The organization is predicated on fostering a community of peer-elected experts committed to enhancing the fields of wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate practices. It aims to reform probate, trust, and tax laws while sustaining public trust through professional conduct. Regularly, ACTEC provides technical commentary on legislative matters but refrains from engaging in policy advocacy.

Moreover, the ACTEC Fellows Institutes represent a cornerstone of the College’s professional development strategy, hosting intensive training sessions for practitioners aspiring to deepen their expertise in trusts and estates law. Nearly 610 lawyers have successfully graduated from these programs, with 70 of them ascending to ACTEC Fellow status.

In conclusion, the election of these 29 new Fellows marks a significant step for ACTEC as it strives for continuous improvement within trust and estate law, ensuring that its members are well-equipped to tackle evolving challenges in the legal landscape.