On Oct. 17 and 18, the USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law held the inaugural Estate Planning Conference, bringing lawyers, certified public accountants and certified financial planners from across the country. 

More than 220 participants learned from experts on estate planning topics such as tax saving opportunities, succession planning for family and small businesses, ethics, Medicare planning, effectively communicating with clients and more.  

Meet the experts 

Alan Medlin (‘76 undergrad, ‘79 law), David W. Robinson Professor of Law, served on the law school conference planning committee and noted the speakers are nationally recognized names in the estate planning and tax fields: 

• Jonathan G. Blattmachr, principal of Pioneer Wealth Partners, LLC 

• John Goldsbury, retired wealth strategist and tax attorney 

• Kevin Heaton, chief executive officer of i3 Resources  

• Brant J. Hellwig, professor and faculty director of the New York University School of Law Graduate Tax Program 

• Jerome M. Hesch, counsel at Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP 

• The Honorable Adam B. Landy (‘04 chemistry, ‘06 masters, ‘09 law), U.S. Tax Court 

• Thomas Pauloski, national managing director of wealth strategies at Bernstein Private Wealth Management 

• Ellis Pretlow, senior estate administrator at Bessemer Trust 

• Mary Radford, professor of law emerita at George State University College of Law 

• Howard M. Zaritsky, consulting counsel 

“These are all-stars... We're especially proud of Judge Landy,” Medlin says. “Being on the United States Tax Court in the tax world is like being on the United States Supreme Court – it’s a huge deal.” 

A closer look 

One distinguishing feature of this conference was the collaboration with Family and Small Business (FSB) program, which co-sponsored the event. Family businesses face distinct challenges that often require integrating different fields of expertise, and the FSB program helped curate sessions dedicated to these issues. 

The Estate Planning Conference also offered lawyers, financial planners and CPAs the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, while the 20 law student volunteers were able to attend the program and engage directly with the speakers. 

Nineteen sponsors supported the program. 

Behind the scenes 

Medlin also expressed deep gratitude for the planning committee members: 

• Kyle Agee (‘07) 

• Anne Kelley Russell 

• Michelle King (‘15 undergrad, ‘19 law)  

• Billy Newsome (‘91) 

• Jonathan Spitz 

• Karen Thomas (‘88)  

The committee also included law professors Tessa Davis, Mark Glover, Ben Means who also directs the FSB program and Clint Wallace who also directs the Tax Clinic. 

Looking forward 

Reflecting on the success of this inaugural event, the law school anticipates hosting more Estate Planning Conferences in the future. Medlin expressed his satisfaction with the event, noting that proceeds will support student scholarships.  

“I couldn't be happier with it,” he says. “Based on my own observations and the feedback I got from the speakers, the attendees and even the students, it was an outstanding success.”