Bankruptcy Discharge for Environmental Cleanup Obligations? The Impact of US v. Apex Oil
Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Devil In The Details: Gift Tax Return Preparation
Thursday, February 18, 2010

Should Legal Opinion Letters in Real Estate Transactions Differ from Opinions in Other Business Transactions?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Low-Profit, Limited Liability Companies: Facilitating Program Related Investments by Your Private Foundation Clients
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

If I Knew Then What I Know Now . . . Practical Solutions to Recurring Estate Planning Problems
Tuesday, April 6, 2010

February Group and Committee Conference Calls
These Group calls are a complimentary benefit of Section membership and normally are limited to Section members. However, prospective members are welcome to join a call without charge to learn more about the Groups and how to become involved upon joining the Section. Topics of upcoming Group calls are summarized below. Click here for more RP conference calls and more TE conference calls.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 2:00-3:00 p.m. CT
Commercial Real Estate Transactions Group (RP)
Dial In: 800-504-8071, International: 303-248-0281, Passcode: 9885683
Our call will focus on title and title insurance issues faced by owners, purchasers and lenders upon the acquisition and financing of real property at foreclose or pursuant top a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Alan D. Keiser of Commonwealth Lawyers Title Commercial Services in Philadelphia will moderate a panel discussion with Rachael Kipnes of the Philadelphia office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and James L. Gosdin of Stewart Title in Sugar Land, Texas. General participation by the listeners will be encouraged.

Friday, February 19, 2010, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT
Emotional and Psychological Issues in Estate Planning Committee (TE)
Dial In: 800-504-8071, International: 303-248-0281, Passcode: 9885683
Our call will focus on identifying and confronting emotional & psychological issues in estate planning and litigation with large families. What role, if any, do a lawyer's personal values have when advising a client planning his or her estate or a client enmeshed in estate litigation? Mark A. Lester, Esq., Jones & Lester LLP, Oxnard, CA., is a prominent estate planning and trust and estate litigation attorney in Southern California. Melvyn Bergstein, Esq. is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Lawyer and has taught extensively about the dynamic relationship between lawyer and client. Bring your urgent practice issues for discussion and get a response from attorneys around the country.

Trust and Estate

Charitable Planning and Organizations Group, Charitable Planning Committee
Comments to the IRS on Payout Requirements for Type III Supporting Organizations

Estate and Gift Tax Committee
REG-119532-08 (Graduated Retained Interests)

Individual & Fiduciary Income Tax Committee
IRS Proposed Regulation 26 CFR 1.67-4, REG-128224-06 Regarding Fees of Trusts and Estates

Non-Tax Estate Planning Considerations Group
Revocable Trust Accounts: 12 CFR Part 330, RIN 3064-AD33

Business Planning Group
Comments on Alternate Valuation Proposed Regulations under § 20.2032-1(f)(1)

Income & Transfer Tax Planning Group
Comments to Notice 2008-32

Estate and Gift Tax Committee
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

Charitable Planning and Organizations
Comments in response to the Internal Revenue Services notice of proposed rulemaking concerning Internal Revenue Code Sections 509 and 4943.

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During this economic downturn, RPTE and the ABA are working to provide you with assistance in weathering these tough times. The ABA Economic Recovery Resources Web Portal provides information from job searching, personal development and career transitions to practice management tips, advice for dealing with stress, and discounts on ABA offerings. The site also lists nearly 50 CLE Now! Sessions on a wide range of legal topics offered by the Center for CLE. These programs are free digital downloads that members can access whenever and wherever they want.

The federal government has, through the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other legislation, created a series of stimulus bills, the thrust of much of which affects the development and financing of real estate property (both commercial and residential). These stimulus bills also provide for a variety of programs which may impact areas of practice critical to many of our section members. The RPTE Economic Recovery Resources Web Portal has been created for some of these bills and for related information. We hope you find this information useful.

THE ABA IS YOUR ADVOCATE: Files Suit to Bar the Federal Trade Commission's Application of the Red Flags Rule to Lawyers

On August 27, 2009, the American Bar Association filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to enjoin the Federal Trade Commission's proposed application of its "Red Flags Rule" to lawyers. The Red Flags Rule mandates that "creditors" develop and implement plans to detect and respond to possible identity theft. As the ABA noted in its suit, imposition of the rule on the practicing bar would result in "significant burdens upon lawyers, particularly sole practitioners and those practicing in small firms, who comprise the majority of the lawyers in the United States." Read More

Real Property, Trust & Estate Legal News

Learn about insurance and charitable giving plans exclusively available to ABA members.