Burton Mitchell
Firm:
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP
Law School:
Georgetown University
Clients:
Baseball players, entertainment figures and business executives
Burton Mitchell’s trusts and estates practice usually focuses on advising high net worth individuals on legal issues surrounding tax planning and wealth preservation, but at times his practice has also been about wealth creation.
“Our legal team was able to secure a $570 million jury trial verdict,” Burton said, “which led to an overall settlement totaling $1.35 billion in favor of a long-term taxation client, an orthopedic surgeon who invented medical technology that revolutionized spinal fusion surgery, against one of the biggest medical companies in the world.”
And while he described the trial and resulting settlement as the most interesting matter he has worked on over the course of his nearly 30-year legal career, Mitchell definitely sees taxes as his focus.
“I like taxation law,” he said. “It’s highly creative, complex, and it fascinates me.”
Whether it’s wrestling with tax issues or pursuing a billion-dollar settlement, Mitchell takes a hands-on approach.
“I get personally involved in every case I take on,” he said. “It’s truly the best feeling when I successfully resolve a matter for one of my clients, and it’s the worst feeling when I’ve exhausted every effort and can’t help someone.”
Mitchell was motivated to attend law school by the Watergate scandal and investigation.
“It was a time when lawyers were going to change the world,” he said, “and though I haven’t exactly done that, I do believe that through my trusts and estate practice, I routinely help individuals, and maybe even better the lives of generations to come.”
Jessica Yuan
Leah Bishop
Firm:
Loeb & Loeb LLP
Clients:
Declined to name
Reason I’m a Lawyer:
I like the combination of problem solving and helping people. It’s like a complex puzzle with a soap opera overlay.
Most Interesting Matter:
My most interesting case is one I am currently working on. The estate is in excess of $4 billion. It involves complex assets, most of which will pass to multiple charities, including a private foundation. Every solution leads to another problem that needs to be solved.
Most Challenging Matter:
My most challenging case was the first large estate I handled as a young associate. The estate tax rate was 70 percent; it was prior to the unlimited marital deduction; and the residue passed to a private foundation that could not hold the assets. The tax, personal and foundation issues provided great training for a young associate.
Best Career Moment:
The best was the first time someone relied on my advice and then thanked me for how well it turned out.
My Colleagues Don’t Know:
I’m really an open book, but it surprises colleagues to see me knitting.
Paul Frimmer
Firm:
Irell & Manella LLP
Clients:
Declined to name.
Why I’m a Lawyer:
I like helping people.
If I Weren’t an Attorney:
I would be a brain surgeon because it requires a great deal of skill and is intricate in detail.
Stuart Tobisman
Firm:
Loeb & Loeb LLP
Clients:
Declined to name
Reason I’m a Lawyer:
Organic chemistry was too hard so I had to give up on medical school.
Most Interesting Matter:
Three years out of law school, and as a pro bono counsel, I argued a landmark criminal procedure case to the U.S. Supreme Court (Schneckloth vs. Bustamonte).
Worst Career Moment:
Leaving the house for a court hearing with mismatched suit jacket and pants.
My Colleagues Don’t Know:
I am a great swing dancer.
