Spring Summit 2026: Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler

The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (the “Academy”) held its annual Spring Summit in the Crescent City, New Orleans, Louisiana. In the interest of full disclosure, I have visited the Big Easy many times, although never for work. Something about New Orleans always pulls me back. Maybe it is the music spilling into the streets at all hours, the scent of beignets and chicory coffee in the air, or the unmistakable sense that the city lives and breathes in a way few others do.

When we deplaned, the city showed no signs of slowing down, even after midnight. The airport buzzed with energy. The ride into the city felt like slipping into a familiar rhythm with neon lights flickering, laughter echoing from open doorways, and the distant hum of a brass band. Our cab driver told us that Jazz Fest and several conferences had filled the city, but it felt like New Orleans simply being New Orleans. By the time we checked into the hotel, we had already greeted numerous Academy Members and exchanged hugs as if no time had passed.

The Academy’s sister company, American Academy Wealth, and its Members connected before the Summit to review their five-meeting system and refine their financial consultation skills. Academy founders, Robert Armstrong and Sanford M. Fisch, opened the conference as they always do by grounding us in where we have been and where we are going. They emphasized that the Academy will continue to evolve to meet the moment, whatever it brings. As artificial intelligence reshapes our profession, the Academy remains committed to ensuring its Members lead rather than follow.

Our keynote speaker, Jaynie Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Advantage, Inc., took the stage and commanded the room. Jaynie brings more than energy. She brings discipline, research, and a clear framework for how organizations create and sustain competitive advantage. She has spent years studying high-performing companies and identifying what separates those that thrive from those that struggle. She challenged us to rethink how we define competition and urged us to stop trying to do everything and instead focus on what we do better than anyone else. She walked us through the five fatal flaws that undermine most companies, including the failure to identify true differentiators and the tendency to dilute value by trying to appeal to everyone. She reinforced a simple but powerful point: sustainable success requires intentional choices and the willingness to say no.

Her message resonated because it applies directly to Member practices. Estate planning continues to grow more complex and competitive. Jaynie pushed us to define our unique value and protect it. Members stayed engaged throughout her interactive presentation because they saw immediate ways to apply her insights. She did not just deliver a keynote. She sparked a shift in perspective that will continue well beyond Summit. Night one concluded with a Mardi Gras themed cocktail party that captured the spirit of the city. A jazz ensemble set the tone while Members wore beads in green, gold, and purple. Feathers, sequins, and a touch of glitter filled the room. For a moment, it felt like we had stepped onto Bourbon Street. Academy Members know how to celebrate, and they know how to celebrate each other.

After the first day, Summit shifted its focus to learning. The Academy requires its Members to earn 36 hours of continuing legal education (“CLE”) in Estate Planning, Tax, Elder Law, and Ethics. This requirement ensures that Members stay current with developments in each field. At Summit, Members create their own schedules and select sessions on marketing, practice management, technology, or substantive law.

Day two began with one of the Academy’s Members leading a sunrise yoga session. As the city came to life outside, participants found a sense of calm and focus that carried into the day. Ann Rosevear, President and Chief Trust Officer of Dunham Trust Company, opened the educational sessions with “Next Level Planning – The World of Irrevocable Trusts and Where They Should Live.” She provided a comprehensive overview of irrevocable trusts and demonstrated how each structure works in practice. She connected technical concepts to real client scenarios, which helped Members understand how to apply what they learned.

Former Academy Member and ACTEC Fellow Craig Reaves followed with “Inherited IRAs and Trusts: Navigating the Current Rules.” He addressed the SECURE Act, SECURE 2.0, and the related Treasury Regulations with clarity and precision. He broke down complex rules into understandable concepts and supported them with practical examples. Members left his session with greater confidence in advising clients on these issues. The remainder of the day focused on practice management and marketing. These sessions reinforced that technical expertise must align with strong business operations to serve clients effectively. The evening concluded with a dinner cruise on the Mississippi River. As the paddlewheel turned and city lights reflected on the water, the setting reminded us to appreciate both the work we do and the community we share.

Energy remained high on day three when Professor Sam Donaldson of Georgia State University took the floor with “Til Death and Taxes Do Us Part: Income and Transfer Tax Strategies for Married Couples.” He delivered his usual blend of humor and technical mastery. He made complex material engaging and memorable. Members also attended his “Federal Tax Update” that afternoon. He wore his Academy-branded sweater vest and incorporated Academy “throws” into his presentation. His delivery kept the room engaged from start to finish. As he reminded us, “You may have paid for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge…”

I closed the conference with two presentations on Sunday. My first session focused on Inherited IRA Accounts and addressed obligations and opportunities for fiduciaries. I provided practical guidance for advising Executors who must navigate these assets. I concluded the Summit with “Fiduciary Income Tax Issues – Tips and Traps for Estate Planners,” where I highlighted common pitfalls and planning opportunities. Members can access these presentations and additional resources on the Members Only Site.

Spring Summit 2026 was a smashing success. The programming and attention to detail contributed to that success, but the Members made the experience exceptional.

Members connect in hallways, share ideas freely, and support one another without hesitation. They create an environment where everyone wants others to succeed and takes action to make that happen. The Academy fosters a culture of inclusivity where no one gets left behind, and every Member knows the Academy Team stands behind them.

The Academy does more than teach estate planning. It builds a community grounded in excellence, collaboration, and service. It challenges Members to bring that same mindset back to their offices and clients. Our time in New Orleans made one thing clear. Members do exactly that.

Laissez les bons temps rouler, indeed.

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