06.26.2023

Steve Mignogna Moderates ACTEC’s Stand Alone Program at the 2023 Summer Meeting

Steve Mignogna, Chair of Archer’s Estates & Trust Group, attended the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Summer Meeting from June 21-25, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Summer Meeting hosts over 650 Fellows, spouses, guests, and sponsor representatives for Professional Programs, Committee Meetings, Spouse and Guest Programs, tours, and networking receptions.

Steve moderated ACTEC’s Stand Alone CLE program. This year’s Stand Alone program, Much Ado About Clients: Finding, Friending and Firing Clients, was a comprehensive curriculum chartered to the challenges and limits of client intake, management, and disengagement.

Steve commented on the program, stating, “The essential aim of the program was to lead us, as ACTEC Fellows, through the cycle of client representation—tailored to ACTEC Fellows. The panels started with the acknowledgement that all Fellows are excellent attorneys, and the goal was to present client management issues that are new and challenging. The first session focused on practice development and what Fellows need to know about modern and effective—but still ethical—client development, especially with increasing technology coupled with limitations that state bar associations are imposing. The second session delved into the art of client intake and included the most crucial aspects of client retention, featuring the latest updates, commentaries, and forms issued by ACTEC. The third session covered client management, including the handling of conflicts among clients after the representation is under way. Finally, the fourth session analyzed the thorny issues of if and how to end the client relationship, both in the planning/administration and the litigation contexts. This included crucial developments as to the ethical standards for handling original client documents.”

Archer Trust & Estates Chair and ACTEC Fellow Steven Mignogna (left), pictured with ACTEC President Kurt A. Sommer (center), The Honorable Nathan Braverman (right) and Fellow Lynn Sassin (right) at the Sponsor Recognition Reception on Saturday, June 23.