PRACTICE EMPHASIS

Lora L. Brown opened her independent law practice in late 2006, after 14 years with the Seattle law firm Stokes Lawrence, P.S.  Lora began her law practice in 1991 as an associate with the former Seattle firm Bogle & Gates.  Lora practices exclusively in the areas of trust and estate planning, trust and estate administration, negotiating premarital and postmarital agreements, advising fiduciaries and beneficiaries, and assisting in the negotiation of disputes that arise in the context of an estate or trust.

CLIENT TRANSACTIONS

Lora L. Brown advises clients on many types of issues including

• Estate and gift tax planning for individuals and families using lifetime and testamentary planning tools
• Formation of limited liability companies to assist in the management and transition of family properties and other jointly owned assets
• Advising both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in varying degrees of adversarial situations, particularly involving the use of nonjudicial agreements to resolve disputes or challenging administrative issues
• Preparation of and advice regarding premarital agreements, postmarital (separate property) agreements and cohabitation agreements
• Representing minor and unborn beneficiaries as a “special representative” under RCW 11.96A.250 for various matters involving their rights under trusts

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Lora L. Brown served on the Executive Committee of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Section of the Washington State Bar Association from 1996 through 2007, and was a past Chair of the Section (2005-06). She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and was recently appointed to the Gift and Estate Tax Committee and Practice Management Committee of ACTEC.  She is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Seattle.  Lora L. Brown is also a past Chair of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Section of the King County Bar Association. 

Lora L. Brown served on the Steering Committee for the development and publication of the Washington State Bar Association’s Estate Planning and Probate Deskbooks (published in 2006), and as a member of its Editorial Board. 

Lora L. Brown is a member of the Washington State Bar Association (admitted 1991) and its Real Property, Probate & Trust, Taxation, and Solo Law Practice Sections, and the King County Bar Association.

Lora L. Brown is a board member of the Washington Environmental Council (since 2003), a past Trustee of the Northwest Fund for the Environment (1996-2002), and currently serves on the board of Animal Talk Rescue in Seattle.

EDUCATION

Lora L. Brown obtained her law degree from Seattle University School of Law and received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Washington. 

RECOGNITIONS
“Super Lawyer” by Washington Law and Politics (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation by the Washington State Bar Association (2003, 2004, 2005)
“Top 50 Women Super Lawyers” by Washington Law and Politics (2006 and 2007)
Martindale “AV” Rating

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

“Retirement Planning,”  When Death and Divorce Collide (WSBA, November 2006)
“Ethics Update” panelist, 50th Annual Estate Planning Seminar (WSBA, November 2005)
“Factors in Choosing a Corporate Trustee” panelist, 2005 Northwest Trust Conference, (Washington Bankers Association, April 2005)
“Premarital and Postmarital Agreements:  The Estate Planner’s Perspective” (Seminar Group, October 2004 and October 2005)
“Keeping Probate and Nonprobate Property Straight,” Basic Washington Estate Planning Skills Course, (University of Washington, Washington Law School Foundation (April 2004)
“The State of the Estate Tax – The Conundrum Continues,” Washington Planned Giving Council, April 2004)
“Enron, Ethics and Lessons for Lawyers” panelist, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Midyear Meeting (WSBA, June 2003)
“Estate Planning with a Conservation Purpose,” Land Trust Alliance NW Conference (LTA, April 2001)  

Program Chair, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Midyear Meeting, (WSBA, June 2005)
Program Co-Chair, Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Midyear Meeting (WSBA, June 2002)
Seminar Chair, Understanding Business Entities in the Estate Planning Area, plus Trust and Estate Litigation and Alternatives seminar (WSBA, April 2001)