Program Details
2025-08-06 13:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2025-08-06 13:00:00
3h CLE Credits
Intermediate
3
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ESTThis session examines critical trustee selection factors, family dynamics, and the three core fiduciary duties: loyalty, care, and full disclosure. Practitioners will learn how innocent breaches occur, strategies for managing beneficiary conflicts, and best practices for trustee record-keeping to minimize litigation risk.
David Fowler JohnsonNicole ThorntonBrittany Cook 2:10 pm - 3:10 pm ESTExplore the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the increased $15 million exemption and enhanced QSBS rules. This session covers advanced techniques including SLATs, dynasty trusts, SALT deduction stacking through non-grantor trusts, and strategies for maximizing valuation discounts on complex assets.
David Fowler JohnsonNicole ThorntonBrittany Cook 3:20 pm - 4:20 pm ESTNavigate the ethical complexities of representing clients with diminished capacity under Rule 1.14 and determining when protective action is warranted. This session addresses conflicts in joint representation under Rule 1.7, attorney-client privilege issues, and the disclosure requirements when attorneys serve as fiduciaries under Rule 1.8.
David Fowler JohnsonNicole ThorntonBrittany CookDavid Fowler Johnson is widely regarded as a go-to fiduciary litigator in Texas, practicing from Winstead PC’s Fort Worth office. His practice concentrates on trust, estate, and closely held business disputes, and he writes and speaks frequently across the state on fiduciary law. He authors The Fiduciary Litigator, an award-winning blog tracking case law, legislative changes, and other developments affecting Texas fiduciaries.
Nicole Thornton is a Partner at Wright Close Barger & Guzman, LLP in Houston, Texas, where she brings substantial litigation and appellate experience across Texas, having represented clients through all stages of litigation. Her primary focus is fiduciary litigation, though her practice has spanned a wide breadth of areas including oil and gas, real estate, probate, guardianship, and business-related litigation. Prior to her current role, Nicole operated her own practice, Law Offices of Nicole Sain Thornton, and also dedicated a year to teaching Lawyering Skills and Strategies at the University of Houston Law Center as a Lecturer before returning to private practice.
Brittany Horn Cook is a Managing Director at Tiedemann Trust Company, serving as a Wealth Planner and Fiduciary Council working with UHNW clients and their advisors to develop and administer custom trust, tax, and estate planning solutions.
David Fowler Johnson is widely regarded as a go-to fiduciary litigator in Texas, practicing from Winstead PC’s Fort Worth office. His practice concentrates on trust, estate, and closely held business disputes, and he writes and speaks frequently across the state on fiduciary law. He authors The Fiduciary Litigator, an award-winning blog tracking case law, legislative changes, and other developments affecting Texas fiduciaries.
Nicole Thornton is a Partner at Wright Close Barger & Guzman, LLP in Houston, Texas, where she brings substantial litigation and appellate experience across Texas, having represented clients through all stages of litigation. Her primary focus is fiduciary litigation, though her practice has spanned a wide breadth of areas including oil and gas, real estate, probate, guardianship, and business-related litigation. Prior to her current role, Nicole operated her own practice, Law Offices of Nicole Sain Thornton, and also dedicated a year to teaching Lawyering Skills and Strategies at the University of Houston Law Center as a Lecturer before returning to private practice.
Brittany Horn Cook is a Managing Director at Tiedemann Trust Company, serving as a Wealth Planner and Fiduciary Council working with UHNW clients and their advisors to develop and administer custom trust, tax, and estate planning solutions.
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
Formats
