Spring Summit 2025: Reflecting, Refueling, and Reimagining in Savannah

The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (the “Academy”) held its annual Spring Summit in the Hostess City of the South, Savannah, Georgia. I love Savannah and was excited to attend the Summit there. In fact, this Summit may have been my favorite to date. I walked outside to find a gathering of Members and Academy staff waiting for cars. Two Members invited me to share their ride and I was glad to do that. It gave us an opportunity for some one-on-one time that isn’t always possible during Summit. Upon entering the hotel, we found more Members and Academy staff exchanging hugs and pleasantries. Prior to the official Summit opening, I ran the gorgeous Savannah Riverwalk and was astounded by the rich history present in that 1.6-mile stretch. Along that route, I saw the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge, World War II Memorial, the majestic Georgia Queen, and the “Waving Girl Dock.” What a way to start the day.

The Academy’s sister company, American Academy Wealth, and its Members connected before the Summit to review their 5-meeting system and refine their consultation skills. Academy founders, Robert Armstrong and Sandford M. Fisch, opened the conference as they always do by updating us with Academy accomplishments and plans. Our visionary leaders remain committed to keeping the Academy indispensable to its Members in the ever-evolving landscape of Estate Planning.

Our keynote speaker, Jake Thompson ended the day with his high-energy talk on Competing Every Day. He taught us the need to compete with ourselves, collaborate with our teammates, and crush the competition. His message spoke about leveraging a competitive mindset and told us that complacency in any area destroys potential and leads nowhere. Our Members hung on every word of his impactful message. Night one ended with a cocktail party overlooking the Savannah River. We talked until well past closing time.

After the first day, the Academy Summit focused on learning. The Academy requires its Members to earn 36 hours of continuing legal education (“CLE”) in Estate Planning, Tax, Elder Law, and Ethics. The Academy’s rigorous continuing education requirement ensures its Members know and understand the latest developments in these fields. Many Members earn significant hours at the two semi-annual Summit conferences each year at which they can create their ideal schedule by choosing sessions on marketing, practice management, technology, or education.

Day two began with one of the Academy’s own Members leading a sunrise yoga session. For those that attended, it brought a calming inner peace that allowed us to meet the day ready to “compete” to quote our keynote speaker. Jim Wolverton began the educational sessions with a talk on “How to Navigate IRAs in Medicaid Planning.” His talk presented case studies that allowed the Members to draw real-life parallels to further illustrate his points. The remainder of day two focused on practice management and marketing. Although the last session ended at 6:30 p.m., it was evident that many Members gathered in the hotel lobby after to enjoy the live music and camaraderie.

Energy remained high on day three when Professor Sam Donaldson of Georgia State University took the floor and talked about “Predicting the Federal Tax Laws for High Net Worth Individuals.” As usual, Professor Donaldson’s delivery was wildly entertaining while being incredibly informative. Academy Members had the good fortune to hear him give a second talk that afternoon, on the “Estate Planner’s Income Tax Playbook.” Professor Donaldson sported his Academy-branded sweater vest proving that everyone enjoys swag. Members and Academy staff commented on his ability to make even mundane issues enjoyable.

I ended the conference batting clean-up and gave two talks on Sunday. The first focused on Business Succession Planning with an emphasis on Family Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies. I ended the Summit with a talk on the practical side of planning for the end of life with clients. After all the tax-heavy subjects, I wanted to give the Members a chance to catch their breath. Members can access these presentations and much more on the Members Only Site.

Spring Summit 2025 was a smashing success. It was more than just the phenomenal programming and attention to detail that made the conference successful. It is the Members, themselves, who make the Academy what it is. It is the conversations in the hallways and the feeling that everyone there wants everyone else there to succeed and is willing to go above and beyond to make it happen. It’s the culture of inclusivity, a place where no one gets left behind, and every Member knows that every member of the Academy Team has their back. The Academy encourages Members to employ this mentality in their own offices and practices and it’s obvious that our Members take that lesson to heart. The Academy provides the tools necessary to achieve this goal by delivering programming on developing Estate Planning techniques and coaching on practice management designed to put client needs first. Be sure that you have the resources to adapt to changes in Estate Planning while maintaining excellent client relations. Academy Members do.

Tereina Stidd, J.D., LL.M.
Director of Education
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com