Kemp Klein

 

Ronald S. Nixon

Nixon Wins Appeal in Favor of Charities

 

Case Summary: Upon his death, Raymond Rech’s trust gave three-quarters of his multi-million-dollar estate to three charities. The remaining quarter was held in trust to support his sister during her lifetime, after which the trust stated the remainder should be divided equally between the three charities. The sister’s grandchildren fought the distribution, claiming that a seemingly conflicting provision of the trust gave them the remainder, and the probate court agreed.

Resolution: Kemp Klein appellate attorney Ronald S. Nixon successfully represented the trustee in appealing the decision, winning over a million dollars back for the charities and defending Raymond Rech’s intent. The lesson learned from this case is that your estate planning documents need to be clear and not include unnecessary language that could be leveraged by those whom you do not want to receive your inheritance.

For further information regarding these matters, please contact Mr. Nixon at 248.619.2855 or via email.

 


 

Former Kemp Klein Attorney Thomas L. Boyer Passes Away

We are sad to announce the passing of retired Kemp Klein attorney and shareholder Tom Boyer.

Tom worked for Kemp Klein for 42 years and was well liked and respected among his colleagues. In his decades at Kemp Klein, Tom became known for his expertise in Union, Labor, and Employment Law. Around the office, Tom loved to discuss baseball and football, especially when it applied to his alma mater, Notre Dame. He enjoyed travel and golf and he possessed an unrivaled expertise in fine wines. 

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Susan, three children, Stephen, Catherine Gillespie (Doug), and Jennifer Greenfield (Bob), and three grandchildren, Norah, Daniel, and Eleanor.

Kemp Klein extends our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Boyer.

His full obituary may be read here.

 


 

Brian R. Jenney recognized by Best Lawyers in America as 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Elder Law

We are very proud to announce Kemp Klein Attorney, Brian R. Jenney was recently recognized by Best Lawyers in America® as the 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Elder Law. 

This award is bestowed by Best Lawyers to only one lawyer with the highest average of votes in their particular practice and region, indicative of a stellar reputation and work ethic. For 2023, only 5,484 lawyers, 0.4% of all practicing U.S. lawyers, across the country were presented this award.

Brian Jenney helps families and individuals with elder law and special needs issues as well as estate planning and administration. For those planning ahead, Mr. Jenney prepares wills, trusts and powers of attorney to ensure proper future handling of medical decisions, finances and the distribution of assets. For family members with more immediate elder care issues, Mr. Jenney can assist with guardianships and conservatorships of ailing family members. In addition, Mr. Jenney helps families work through the administration of wills and trusts and the related tax issues after the loss of a loved one.


You may contact Mr.Jenney at 248-740-5688 or via email.

 


 

Eighteen of the firm’s lawyers have been included in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America®

William B. Acker – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates

C. Leslie Banas – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

Cynthia E. Brazzil – Corporate Law

Richard C. Bruder – Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Litigation – Trusts & Estates

Ralph A. Castelli, Jr. – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

Mark R. Filipp – Litigation – Labor and Employment

Brian R. Jenney – Elder Law and Trusts & Estates

David D. Marsh – Real Estate Law

Alan A. May – Litigation – Trusts & Estates and Trusts & Estates

Norman D. Orr – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law

Thomas C. Rauch – Real Estate Law

Brian H. Rolfe – Commercial Litigation

Stuart Sinai – Securities Regulation

Amy A. Stawski – Family Law

Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law and Trusts & Estates

Michael D. Umphrey – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Trusts & Estates

Robert S. Zawideh – Arbitration and Litigation – Trusts & Estates


 


 

All Our Rights Came From Tax Disputes
– This article was written for Leimberg Information Services. Leimberg provides Estate Planning, Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning, Business Entities, Asset Protection Planning, Financial Planning and Charitable Planning Newsletters. They also provide LawThreads®, Actual Text, State Laws, US Code Searcher, and Supersearcher tools.

 




 

Ten Kemp Klein Attorneys Named Michigan Super Lawyers

We’re proud to announce ten of the firm’s lawyers were recognized as 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers:
 
Leslie C. Banas – Business / Corporate Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Estate & Trust Litigation
Ralph A. Castelli, Jr. – Business / Corporate Law
Mark R. Filipp – Employment Litigation: Defense
Brian R. Jenney – Estate & Probate Law
Alan A. May – Estate & Probate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Business Litigation
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law
Austin W. Probst was named a 2022 Super Lawyers Rising Star – Estate & Probate Law
 
Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.


 

 


 

Austin W. Probst Named Michigan Rising Star

We are proud to announce Austin Probst has been named a 2022 Michigan Rising Star by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and personal achievement. Super Lawyers selects the very best attorneys in the state who are under 40 and in the first 10 years of practice for their Rising Stars list. Only 2.5 percent of attorneys in this age group are selected.

Probst assists clients with probate, elder law, Medicaid planning, estate planning and civil litigation. He is skilled in probate and trust administration and advises clients on important financial and emotional matters with a balance of knowledge, sensitivity, and precision.

Congratulations Austin!


 

You may contact Mr. Probst at 248.740.5680 or via email.

 




 

By Geri Hames

Alan A. May book, "The Journey" Accepted at the Detroit Jewish Book Fair

Kemp Klein attorney, Alan A. May’s book The Journey was recently selected for an event featuring Michigan authors. The Detroit Jewish Book Fair will be held on November 1-13, 2022. Details are in the pdf below. Congratulations Mr. May!


For further information regarding the book fair, please contact Mr. May at 248.740.5670 or via email.