Event Overview
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Off-Site Reception
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – CLE Program
12:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Reception & Luncheon
Next Generation Topics in Trusts & Estates Practice
- DNA, Surrogacy, Frozen Gametes- Planning & Litigating Heirships
- “Win Win” Defensive Planning to Protect your Practice & Clients in an Ever-Changing World
- Surrogate’s Panel
Highlights and Objectives:
Updating your practice to take into consideration 21st Century issues; planning to avoid estate litigation
Trusts & Estates Law Section:
Patricia J. Shevy, Esq. | The Shevy Law Firm LLC | Albany, NY
Program Chairs:
Lauren E. Sharkey, Esq. | Cioffi Slezak Wildgrube P.C. | Schenectady, NY
Ian W. MacLean, Esq. | The MacLean Law Firm, P.C. | White Plains, NY
General Registration Fee
Required for all Annual Meeting attendees.
| NYSBA Members | $250 |
| Non-members | $350 |
+plus…
$150 Program Registration Fee
Trusts and Estates Law Section Annual Meeting Program
Next Generation Topics in Trust and Estates Practice
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
New York Hilton Midtown
Grand Ballroom East | Third Floor
Section Committee Meetings | 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
CLE Program | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Reception | 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Luncheon | 12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Executive Committee Meeting | 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Mercury & Rotunda | Third Floor
All attendees must be registered in advance or will not be admitted.
3.0 MCLE Credits
3.0 Areas of Professional Practice
This program is transitional and is suitable for all attorneys
including those newly admitted.
9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
Opening Remarks
9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
DNA, Surrogacy, Frozen Gametes – Planning & Litigating Heirship
Building on the Spring 2024 Trust and Estates Meeting session entitled “Kinship Proceedings: Planning to Include or Avoid DNA Relatives,” this session will review current DNA testing case law in estate proceedings, including kinship proceedings, and further discuss estate planning considerations to avoid the issue of claims to inheritance by “DNA relatives”. The speakers will also cover planning required for intended parents in surrogacy, contract and planning considerations for frozen gametes and embryos, and other planning considerations and practical tips.
Speaker
Robert M. Harper, Esq. | Farrell Fritz, P.C., Uniondale, NY
Kathleen (“Casey”) Copps DiPaola, Esq. | Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC, Albany, NY and Co-Founder of the New York Surrogacy Center
1.0 Credit in Areas in Professional Practice10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Malpractice in Estate Planning
Rising legal malpractice actions against trusts and estates practitioners result in nightmares for many attorneys. This segment will provide an overview of the elements of legal malpractice actions against estate planning attorneys and address best practices to protect you and your law firm. In addition, the looming 2026 estate tax law changes are ripe for malpractice claims against unwary attorneys. The speakers will discuss tips for prudent estate planning in 2025 given the sunset of certain provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
Speaker
Laurie S. Keniry, Esq. | Cioffi Slezak Wildgrube P.C., Schenectady, NY
Irma K. Nimetz, Esq. | McCarthy Fingar LLP, White Plains, NY
1.0 Credit in Areas in Professional Practice11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Surrogate’s Court Panel
Speaker
Hon. Acea M. Mosey | Erie County Surrogate’s Court, Buffalo, NY
Hon. Stephen W. Cass | Chautauqua County Surrogates Court, Mayville, NY
Hon. Peter J. Kelly | Queens County Surrogate’s Court, Jamaica, NY
Hon. Rita M. Mella | New York County Surrogate's Court, New York, NY
Moderator
Eric W. Penzer, Esq. | Farrell Fritz, P.C., Uniondale, NY
1.0 Credit in Areas in Professional Practice12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Reception
12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Luncheon
Mastering Stress and Workload Management in the Information Age
In today’s fast-paced world, lawyers face constant distractions from technology and information overload—emails, instant messages, documents, social media, phone calls, and numerous interruptions. Research shows that lawyers switch tasks on their computers nearly 600 times a day, leaving them overwhelmed and stressed. Join renowned speaker and time management expert Paul Unger, Esq. in this transformative program, where you’ll learn effective strategies to cultivate calm, minimize stress, and manage distractions. Discover how to efficiently handle emails, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines while regaining control over your day and practice. You'll walk away with practical tools and methodologies you can implement immediately to enhance your productivity and well-being.
Speaker
Paul J. Unger | Affinity Consulting Group
No CLE Credit for this session2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Executive Committee Meeting (Invitation Only)
The Trusts & Estates Law Section’s Annual Meeting Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Grand Ballroom East- 3rd Floor
- Cocktail Reception- 12:00 p.m. 12:45 p.m.
- Luncheon- 12:45 p.m.-2:15 p.m.
Cost of the reception and luncheon is $185.00
If you would like to reserve a table, please complete the form linked below and e-mail to Kate Tortora [email protected]
You are cordially invited to the Trusts & Estates Law Section’s Cocktail Reception hosted by Doyle Auctioneer & Appraisers, Fiduciary Trust International and Grassi Advisors and Accountants.
The event will take place on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 6-8 PM.
Location:
Columbus Citizens Club
8 E 69th St, New York, NY 10021
Although there is no charge to attend, registration is required as space is limited.
Register today!
Diamond Sponsor
Diamond & Lunch Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor
Exhibitor
Exhibitor
If you would like to sponsor the Trusts & Estates Law Section’s portion of Annual Meeting 2025, please complete the form linked below and return to Kate Tortora [email protected]