Practice Areas
Education
University of Alabama School of Law
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
LL.M., Taxation, cum laude, 2016
Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2014
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.S., 2010
Bar Admissions
Florida
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Florida state courts
All Michigan state courts
Estate Planning Attorney
Rebecca is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Team where her practice includes all aspects of estate planning and estate settlement, including tax planning, cottage planning, charitable gift planning, business succession planning, long-term care planning, prenuptial agreements, and estate and trust administration services. From simple to sophisticated plans, she has helped clients to put protections in place for their minor and adult children, spouses and unmarried partners, aging parents, loved ones with disabilities, and loved ones who may need assistance with managing finances.
A substantial portion of Rebecca’s practice also involves crafting Trusts for animal companions (pet trusts), and she frequently speaks and writes on this topic for community groups, law students and other lawyers.
Rebecca is experienced in the nonprofit sector as past chairperson of the board of directors of Barn Sanctuary and vice president of the board of directors of Attorneys for Animals. Rebecca also assists nonprofit organizations with qualifying for and maintaining tax-exempt status and has been named to Crain’s list of Notable Women in Nonprofits.
Rebecca is a member of the adjunct faculty at Wayne State University Law School, a contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and serves as a Council Member for both the Probate & Estate Planning Section and the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Within the firm, she serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Rebecca has been recognized for her contributions to the legal and wider communities by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers and the National Law Review.
Certifications and Accreditations
Animal Friendly Attorney™
Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and State Bar of Michigan, certificate of completion in the areas of probate and estate planning
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates, since 2022
Crain’s Detroit Business, Notable Women in Nonprofits, 2018
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up & Coming Lawyer, 2018
Hour Detroit©, Top Attorneys: Outstanding Young Women Lawyers in Michigan, since 2017
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, Estate Planning and Probate, since 2016
Professional Affiliations
Florida Bar: Animal Law Section; Elder Law Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Out of State Division
State Bar of Michigan: Animal Law Section, Council Member and Chair-Elect; Elder Law and Disability Rights Section; Probate and Estate Planning Section, Council Member
Washtenaw County Bar Association
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan: Oakland Chapter; Washtenaw County Chapter
Community Involvement
Animal Legal Defense Fund
Attorneys for Animals: vice president; Board member
Barn Sanctuary: past chairperson; Board member
Wayne State University Law School, adjunct professor
Presentations
Special Issues with Estate Planning, ICLE (2023)
Estate Planning for Athletes: Top Tips in Ten Minutes, ICLE (2023)
Draft a Cottage Trust: How-To Kit, ICLE (2023)
Drafting Pet Trusts: Top Tips in Ten Minutes, ICLE (2023)
Pet Trusts, Michigan Humane Society (2023)
“Preserving Cottage Properties,” ICLE 32nd Annual: Drafting Estate Planning Documents (2023)
“Estate Planning for Pets,” Michigan State University (2022)
“How to Leave Your Fortune to Your Pets,” The University of Michigan (2020)
“Estate Planning for Millennials,” ICLE 59th Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute (2019)
“Pet Trusts and Pet Planning” (2019 series)
“Planning for Pets,” ICLE 58th Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute (2018)
“Six Feet Over, Six Feet Under: A Panel Discussion on the Rights of the Dying and Mourning” (2017)
“Protect Your Pet’s Future” (2017-2019 series)