What I Wish I Learned in Law School

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Chief Everything Officer of VanderVeen Elder and Special Needs Law, Jennifer VanderVeen. Jennifer shared her journey of finding her niche in elder and special needs law. She emphasized the importance of self-discovery and understanding one's unique strengths and ways of thinking. Reflect on your skills and interests. What areas of law resonate with you? What are you passionate about? Don’t...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Founder, Estate Planning, and Elder Law Attorney of The Law Office of Angela Odensky, Angela Odensky. Elder law is a unique field that transcends traditional legal boundaries, focusing on serving a population rather than a specific area of law. Angela's firm, based in Bellaire, Texas, and also serving Washington, specializes in elder law, estate planning, probate, and special needs. The fi...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Attorney and Counselor at Law of Life Point Law, Aaron Paker. Aaron's path to law was anything but traditional. Initially aspiring to be a genetic engineer, a poignant encounter with a six-year-old boy set him on a new trajectory. After years as an early childhood teacher, Aaron transitioned into law, drawn by the prospect of less bureaucracy. Despite the initial challenges of breaking int...

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence, talks with the Founder and CEO of Trustate, Leah Del Percio. Leah Del Paso's journey in co-founding Truestate is a testament to the power of innovation in legal services. Truestate emerged as a response to the complex needs of trust and estate lawyers, offering tools designed to streamline their work and enhance their practice. Leah emphasized the platform's ability to simplify intricate processes, ma...

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence, talks with the Sole Owner, Attorney, and Counselor of Ford & Lustfield Law Office, Cassandra Lustfield. Cassandra Lustfield is not just any lawyer; she has dedicated her career to helping clients navigate the often-overwhelming world of estate planning and elder law. At Ford & Lustfield Law Office, she offers a spectrum of services that cater to various needs, from straightforward estate plans...

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the Director of NSS Legal, Oliver Sloam. Oliver is at the helm of NSS Legal and partners in an actuarial firm that oversees UK pension schemes. His expertise is rooted in a family tradition of managing trusts, which has undoubtedly shaped his career trajectory. Oliver painted a vivid picture of his daily responsibilities, from drafting wills and trusts to tackling capacity issues, all aimed ...

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the Owner and Senior Attorney of Little Law Office, Carla D. Little. Carla's clientele largely consists of faith-based individuals seeking guidance in preparing end-of-life documents. She shared the poignant reason behind her transition from criminal law to estate planning—a death in her own family. This experience illuminated the profound need for compassionate estate planners who can navig...

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the CEO of Westrock Appraisal, Abe Romer. Westrock Appraisal isn't just a company; it's a legacy established in 1987 by Abe Romer's father. As the current President, Abe oversees every department, ensuring that the company's reach extends across 40 states in the US. Their clientele is diverse, ranging from CMBS lenders and conventional banks to estate planning attorneys and the IRS. Abe's le...

Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence introduces the Managing Director of Playfair Planning Services, Kim Bourne. Kim and her team at Playfair Planning Services are dedicated to serving some of the finest families in America. These clients often have complex lives, bustling schedules, and a need for comprehensive financial oversight. With assets typically ranging between 3 and 5 million dollars, these individuals are not only focused on th...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Owner and Managing Attorney of J. Akin Law, Jennifer Akin. Jennifer's journey into law is as fascinating as it is inspiring. With a career spanning several years, she has established herself as a formidable presence in the legal community. Her areas of expertise are vast, but she has a particular passion for helping clients navigate the often-daunting legal system. Jennifer's approach to l...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the President and Principal of Parent Your Parents, H Frances Reaves. Francis' move from practicing political law in Texas to concentrating on elder law was not merely a professional transition but a mission driven by empathy and understanding. She conveyed a deep sense of gratitude for being able to significantly impact the lives of the elderly and their families. Her practice is distinguishe...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Events of Smokeball, Emma Raimi-Zlatic. One of the first topics was Emma's role at Smokeball, a company that's at the forefront of legal case management software. Contrary to what some might think, Smokeball has nothing to do with cannabis. Instead, it's a powerhouse of legal technology, offering robust document automation tools and comprehensive...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Social Security and VA Disability Lawyer of Grossman Law Firm, Deborah Grossman-Mitchell. Deborah's transition from healthcare to law is a story of passion and dedication. Her medical background gives her an unparalleled advantage in understanding her clients' medical impairments. This integration of medical knowledge into her law practice is not just a unique selling point; it's a crucial...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Partner of Polur Elder Law, Shari Polur. At the heart of Shari's practice is a holistic approach to elder law. She believes that providing clients with "nice hard gritty documents and nice folders" is simply not enough. To truly serve her clients, she delves deep into their lives, understanding their family relationships, medical issues, living situations, and financial capabilities. This ...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Probate Attorney Aggressive Litigator Elder Abuse of Casiano Law Firm, Vincent Casiano. Vincent's path to law is as unique as it is inspiring. With a background that includes graduating from New York Maritime College and navigating oil tankers, Vincent made a dramatic career shift at the age of 40, diving into the legal field. His diverse experiences have sh...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Attorney and Partner of Eastbridge Law Group, Nancy Thome. Nancy's journey into the niche of elder law was born out of a desire for new challenges. With a solid background in estate planning and probate, she found herself yearning for more after years of practice. It was the realization of a growing need in the elder law sector, coupled with a personal passion for the field, that steered h...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with the Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney of The Koewler Law Firm, James Koewler. Jim's firm stands out as a beacon of support for those facing the challenges of long-term care, particularly individuals with chronic illnesses. Their mission is to prevent or delay the need for long-term care, a service that is becoming increasingly crucial as our population ages. They also provide invaluable ass...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with Managing Partner of Stratton & Reynolds, T C Reynolds. TC's journey into elder law was somewhat serendipitous. Initially, their interest in law was piqued by estate planning during their law school years, but elder law wasn't on their radar until later. It was Reynolds' partner, who had extensive experience in elder law, that illuminated the importance and satisfaction derived from this fi...

Your host, Audrey Ehrhardt, talks with Wendy Guthro Attorney & Counsellor at Law, Wendy Guthro. Wendy's expertise in estate planning and elder law is driven by a deep-seated passion for assisting the elderly and ensuring that their legal affairs are in order. Estate planning, as Wendy explained, is not just about drafting wills; it's a comprehensive approach to managing one's assets and ensuring that one's wishes are honored af...