The Academy reserves its Fellow designation for its most distinguished Members. Not only do these Members have extraordinary experience in trust, estate, and tax planning matters, they’re also recognized among their peers as having outstanding ethics and character.

To be designated a Fellow, a Member must have met the basic 36-hour annual CLE Requirement for each of the preceding five years. In addition, a Fellow must demonstrate substantial practical experience by handling:

• 30 tax planning matters;
• 50 estate and incapacity plans;
• 40 trust and administration procedures;
• 40 completed non-trust transfers of decedents’ assets; and
• 20 litigated matters, contested hearings, or court proceedings

Fellows also undergo peer review by three legal professionals. Each of these professionals must have extensive estate planning or elder law experience and must be familiar with the legal expertise and ethical character of the applicant.

An Academy Fellowship designation is valid for 5 years, after which a Member may apply for re-designation.