SAN DIEGO, CA – [August 16, 2019] – The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys [AAEPA] announced that Estate Planning Attorney Justin M. Kennedy of Litherland, Kennedy & Associates, APC, Attorneys at Law, has been awarded the Academy Fellow designation. The Fellow program recognizes Academy Members who demonstrate advanced expertise and significant practical experience in the total estate planning, trust, tax planning, probate and estate administration fields.
“Our Members already meet a challenging set of professional standards,” said Steve Hartnett, Director of Education for the Academy. “Many, like Justin, strive to further distinguish themselves so we established the Fellow program to recognize truly outstanding professional achievement.”
The Fellow designation is based on rigorous criteria established by the Academy and its Board of Governors. A Fellow is designated for a period of five years, with recertification required at the end of each term. In order to be designated a Fellow, a Member must meet their 36-hour annual Academy educational requirement specifically in estate, tax, probate or elder law in each of the preceding five years. Along with the continuing legal education requirements, Fellows must demonstrate substantial practical experience by meeting 4 of 5 specific categories of actual case work which covers a wide range of legal matters in tax, estate planning, incapacity planning, trust and estate administration procedures, as well as litigated matters, contested hearings, or court proceedings. These requirements are modeled on the specialist designation offered by some state bar associations.
Kennedy also underwent peer review by three legal professionals with extensive estate planning or elder law experience familiar with his legal expertise and ethical character. Peer reviews ensure that Fellows maintain high standards and are held in the highest regard in their local legal communities.
“Clients are the main beneficiaries of this program,” said Sanford Fisch, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy. “The Fellow designation helps the legal consumer find attorneys with a proven track record of excellence in the estate planning field. Justin M. Kennedy has been a member of the Academy since 2011 and we congratulate him on achieving this exceptional designation.”
About the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys is a national organization dedicated to promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research on estate and tax planning, educational materials, and other important resources to empower them to provide superior estate planning services.
About Attorney Justin M. Kennedy
Justin M. Kennedy has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and History from the University of California – San Diego. He earned his Juris Doctor degree, with a Tax Concentration, from the University of Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Justin received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Federal Estate and Gift Tax and is a member of the McGeorge School of Law Honor Society. Justin is certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a Legal Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. He is a member of the California State Bar Association, Silicon Valley Bar Association, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Justin is a member and designated Fellow of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.
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