Baker v. Wood Ris & Hames: Privity Prevails
March 2016
Trust & Estate Section CLE Luncheon Series
Baker v. Wood Ris Hames: Privity Prevails
Co-sponsored by the CBA Trust & Estate Section
Program Description:
Attend on March 1 to get a thorough analysis of the most important trust and estate case the Colorado Supreme Court has decided in many years. The principal question before the Court was whether dissatisfied beneficiaries of a testator's estate have standing to bring legal malpractice or contract claims against the lawyers who drafted the testator's estate planning documents. In a unanimous decision, the Court declined to abandon the strict privity rule, and affirmed the dismissal of the beneficiaries' claims against the estate planning lawyers. Kevin Millard will be discussing the case from an estate planning lawyer's perspective. Carolyn Fairless, who argued the appeal on behalf of the defense, will be discussing the case from a legal malpractice lawyer's perspective.
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MEET YOUR PRESENTERS:
Carolyn J. Fairless, Esq., is the managing partner of Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell. She focuses her litigation practice on professional liability defense, insurance, and commercial litigation. Carolyn has been called "a lawyer's lawyer" and has successfully defended some of the nation's leading law firms and lawyers in high-stakes legal malpractice matters throughout the country. She also defends insurance, finance, and real estate firms and professionals against claims of malpractice, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty. Carolyn presents clients' cases in fresh and creative ways for judges and juries. Especially when the underlying cases may be complex and potentially confusing, she develops clear case themes and trial strategies that engage jurors and help make critical information meaningful and memorable. Carolyn is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and her peers and clients have selected her numerous times for inclusion in Benchmark Litigation--including the Top 250 Women in Litigation 2015--Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, and Colorado Super Lawyers.
Kevin D. Millard, Esq., limits his practice to estate planning, family business planning, planning for incapacity, and administration of trusts and decedent's estates. His practice includes the design, drafting, and implementation of: wills, trusts, and other vehicles for preserving and passing on wealth with as little tax cost as possible; powers of attorney, trusts, and other techniques for dealing with the incapacity of a client or a client's beneficiary; buy-sell agreements and other business continuity planning techniques; and marital agreements (pre- and post-nuptial agreements). Mr. Millard also advises clients and their trustees and personal representatives (executors and estate administrators) concerning the administration and distribution of trusts and estates, including the preparation of complex gift and estate tax returns. Mr. Millard serves as an expert witness in litigated matters concerning estate planning and the administration of trusts and estates.
Program Series Chair
Darla Daniel, Esq., Vice President and Trust Officer
Colorado State Bank and Trust
Denver, CO
PROGRAM AGENDA
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration
12:00 PM
- Analysis of Baker v. Wood Ris & Hames Case
- Discussion of the Case from an Estate Planning Lawyer's Perspective
- Discussion of the Case from a Legal Malpractice Lawyer's Perspective
1:00 PM
Adjourn
Presented by Carolyn J. Fairless, Esq., Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP, Denver, CO, and Kevin D. Millard, Esq., Chorney & Millard, LLP, Denver, CO
Location Information
CLECI Large Classroom
1900 Grant Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80203
Get directions
1900 Grant Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO 80203
Registration Fees
Non Member | $79.00 |
CBA Member | $59.00 |
New Lawyer Edge Member | $29.50 |
CBA Trust & Estate Law Section Member | $29.00 |
CLEACCESSPASS--ELITE Pass Holder | $0.00 |
- General Credits: 1.00
- Ethics Credits: 0.00
- EDI Credits:
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