Scott J. Bakal is an attorney and shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP's Miami location, where he develops tax-planning strategies for closely held family businesses, partnerships, and publicly held corporations with significant domestic and international operations. He works closely with high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurial companies to develop elegant, tax-sensitive approaches to their complex business transactions, financial situations, estate planning matters, and real estate investments, as well as to pursue tax efficiency throughout their operations. Mr. Bakal's practice includes advising closely held businesses on the tax consequences of critical transactions, including structuring joint ventures and asset and stock purchase agreements. In addition, he advises executives in tax-sensitive compensation matters and the owners of controlling stakes in publicly held corporations. Mr. Bakal earned his B.S. degree, magna cum laude, from Yale University and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He is admitted to practice law in Florida, Illinois, and the U.S. Tax Court.
Gary A. Forster is managing partner and co-founder of ForsterBoughman. His practice spans 30 years and includes domestic and international corporate law, asset protection, tax and estate planning. Mr. Forster handles a variety of corporate and personal planning matters for business leaders and wealthy families. He writes and speaks nationally on tax, corporate and international topics and is the author of three books. In 2013, he wrote
Asset Protection for Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Investors, a guide to asset protection strategies for clients and their financial advisors, now in its second edition. In 2020, Mr. Forster finished the second edition of
The U.S. Estate and Gift Tax and the Non-Citizen, which explains how resident and non-resident foreign nationals are impacted by the U.S. Estate and Gift Tax. In 2021, he wrote
The U.S. Wealth Transfer Tax and the Non-Citizen, a law school textbook. Mr. Forster's legislative amendments were adopted as Section 43A of the Nevis LLC Ordinance - Nevis Limited Liability Company (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. He earned his B.A. degree from Tufts University, graduating cum laude with majors in economics and Spanish literature. Mr. Forster earned his J.D. degree from the University of Florida College of Law, graduating with honors. He continued his studies as a graduate fellow at the University of Florida College of Law, Master of Taxation program, earning an LL.M. degree in taxation. Mr. Forster's education also includes studies at the University of Madrid, Oxford University and Leiden University in the Netherlands. He is a member of The Florida Bar and District of Columbia Bar Association, including bar sections for international and tax law. Mr. Forster is licensed to practice before the U.S. Tax Court, and is a member of the American Bar Association Asset Protection Planning Committee. He speaks Spanish fluently.
Chad D. Hansen is of counsel with Peterson & Myers, P.A. Prior to joining Peterson & Myers, he worked in Ohio with a practice centered on assisting individuals and businesses with tax, estate planning, and business matters helping clients with formational issues, joint ventures, operating agreements, venture funds, structuring acquisitions/dispositions, estate planning and probate, and a variety of tax issues. Mr. Hansen also worked with many business owners to make sure personal and business succession planning are properly aligned and in the most tax efficient manner. He earned his B.A. degree in accounting from Utah State University, his J.D. degree from the University of Idaho College of Law, and his LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Florida.
Michael C. Norvell graduated from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin School of Law in 1976 and was admitted to The Florida Bar in November of 1976. Prior to entering law school, he served in the US Army from 1965-1967 where he was part of the Army Engineer Field Unit of the Ethiopia - U.S. Mapping Mission. This mission was the last ground mapping of an entire country ever undertaken. Mr. Norvell's practice has transitioned to late life issues, such a guardianship, Medicaid planning, trust and probate administration, and litigation. He has been working in the area for over 40 years and has two practices in the Leesburg area, with one office dedicated to the sole practice of Medicaid planning. Mr. Norvell is a member of the University of Florida President's Council.
Gregory J. Nussbickel is an attorney with Nussbickel Law Firm, P.A. He has been practicing trust, estate, and elder law for the better part of two decades. Mr. Nussbickel's legal experience spans large firm, public interest, and higher education. Before graduating cum laude from F.S.U. Law, he externed at The Florida Supreme Court. Mr. Nussbickel later obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from U.M. He contributes to legal education platforms and has been featured on major news outlets.
J. Brian Page is a tax attorney with ForsterBoughman, whose practice encompasses a wide range of estate planning, probate, trust administration, business succession, tax controversy, and asset protection. He has been admitted to practice law in Florida, U.S. Tax Court, and the Northern and Middle districts of Florida. Mr. Page has also published articles and spoken publicly in the areas of estate planning, probate, trust administration, and federal tax law. He is a member of The Florida Bar and the U.S. Tax Court. Mr. Page is also a member of The Florida Bar Tax Section, The Florida Bar Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section, Orange and Seminole County bar associations, and the Central Florida Estate Planning Council. He earned his undergraduate degree, his J.D. degree and his LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Florida.
Audra Simovitch is a founding partner of Astor Simovitch Law. She practices elder law, estate planning and guardianship. Ms. Simovitch earned her J.D. degree from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law and her LL.M. degree in taxation from Boston University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and Massachusetts, and before the Florida Southern District Bankruptcy Court and Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court.
Christopher C. Weeg is a partner in the Palm Beach Gardens office of Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun LLP. He is board-certified in both tax law and in wills, trusts and estates, distinguishing him as one of 29 Florida lawyers who hold dual certification in those areas of law. Mr. Weeg's two areas of board certification, as well as being a CPA, are complementary and provide a broad depth of knowledge for his clients. His core law practice is estate planning and includes drafting wills and trusts, probate and trust administration, and advising on income, gift, estate, and GST tax issues. Mr. Weeg is experienced in the preparation of gift and estate tax returns, representation of executors in all phases of estate administration, and creating comprehensive estate plans tailored to meet clients' personal objectives in a tax efficient manner. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the East Coast Estate Planning Council and the Palm Beach Tax Institute. Mr. Weeg is a director of the Tax Section of The Florida Bar and is a member of The Florida Bar Tax Law Certification Committee. He earned his B.S. degree, his LL.M. degree in taxation and his J.D. degree, all from the University of Florida. Mr. Weeg is admitted to practice law in Florida and Texas, and is a licensed CPA in Florida.
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