Philadelphia Estate Planning Council upcoming events

October 2026 Luncheon Program (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:45:00 GMT

"Trust, But Verify: What Estate Planners Need to Know About AI"

COFFEE MEET AND GREET: The PEPC organized a meet and greet coffee station prior to our luncheon program. It will be located in the Farragut Room from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. All meeting attendees are welcome to join!

AGENDA
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Coffee Meet & Greet
11:45 - 12:00 p.m. Registration
12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Luncheon & Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Estate planning and wealth management professionals increasingly use AI, but not all AI is built the same. This session contrasts general-purpose AI tools with those purpose-built for estate, trust, and tax work, showing how the right approach turns reactive planning into proactive opportunity-spotting — while covering the guardrails (human review, source-grounding, audit trails, data de-identification) practitioners should demand from any AI tool used with confidential or regulated client work.

SPEAKERS:

Larry Gincel JD, LLM is an estate planning attorney that previously supported clients and advisors in the HNW marketplace. At Vanilla, Larry bridges the gap between technical products and the customer’s needs by combining his sales and estate planning expertise. Larry holds a JD and LLM in Tax from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Patrick Carlson is Associate General Counsel for Estate & Tax Product at Vanilla, working at the intersection of legal expertise and financial technology to build innovative estate planning solutions for advisors. Before joining Vanilla, he led a financial planning, estate strategy, and tax team at an $8 billion AUM RIA serving high-net-worth clients. Patrick holds a JD from the University of Oklahoma and an LLM in Tax from the University of Florida. He resides in Chicago.

One Education Credit for CLE (PA Only), Insurance (PA Only), CFP, CPA (PA Only), PACE and CTFA will be offered.

This Program is Being Sponsored by

No-shows will be billed. No refunds after October 16, 2026.

PEPC Run/Walk Club (Wednesday, October 28, 2026)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Join the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council for a fun and energizing training walk/run on Wednesday, October 28. This free, 3 mile route is open to members and non-members and welcomes all (walkers and runners) —whether you’re training for upcoming holiday trots or simply looking to get some miles in. We’ll start and finish at the Three Logan Square courtyard in Center City and head out to the Schuylkill River Trail. The event kicks off at 5:00 PM, followed by pressed juices and light bites to refuel and connect. Come run and network with PEPC!

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required for planning purposes.

Participants will be able to store their belongings in the Janney Montgomery Scott offices.

Rain Date: Thursday, October 29

This Event is Being Sponsored by

PEPC Bourbon Tasting Experience (Wednesday, November 04, 2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Join the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council for an evening of networking, education, and exceptional bourbon as we explore Bourbon: America’s Spirit.

Guests will enjoy a guided tasting featuring four distinct American bourbons, each showcasing the craftsmanship, history, and regional character – and how terrain, local grains, and water offer a unique expression - that have made bourbon one of the country's most celebrated spirits. Along the way, attendees will learn about bourbon’s unique heritage, production process, flavor profiles, and what distinguishes it from other whiskies.

Whether you are a seasoned bourbon enthusiast or simply curious to learn more, this event offers a relaxed and engaging opportunity to connect with fellow estate planning professionals while savoring some of America’s finest spirits.

The tasting will be accompanied by a light dinner buffet and ample time for conversation and networking. Raise a glass, experience sipping beyond Kentucky borders, and discover why bourbon is truly America’s Spirit.

Thank You to Our Event Sponsor

PEPC Inclusion Committe Program: Emotional Intelligence - Effective Communication in a Neurodiverse World (Wednesday, November 11, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Join us for an event designed for estate planning professionals and advisors who work closely with families. We will focus on developing a deeper understanding of neurodiversity, including the unique strengths, perspectives, and challenges that neurodiverse individuals may experience.

Participants will gain practical insights into how to interact more effectively and empathetically with neurodiverse clients, colleagues, and family members. The program will also explore ways to foster a more inclusive workplace culture, helping advisors and organizations better support diverse communication styles, needs, and experiences.

Speaker: Joseph Riddle, Director, Neurodiversity in the Workplace

This event is limited to PEPC Members only.
$25 per person
Space is limited to 55 people, so register early!

November 2026 Luncheon Program (Tuesday, November 17, 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 16:45:00 GMT

"Review of the Past Year’s Significant, Curious, or Downright Fascinating Fiduciary Cases"

AGENDA
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Coffee Meet & Greet
11:45 - 12:00 p.m. Registration
12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Luncheon & Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This session will review selected reported fiduciary litigation decisions from 2025 that relate to multiple areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, the fiduciary duties of agents, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries, related trial practice, and identifying and navigating contemporary fiduciary challenges.

SPEAKER:

Dana G. Fitzsimons Jr. is Managing Director and Senior Fiduciary Counsel at Bessemer Trust. In this role, he is responsible for working with clients and their advisors to develop practical and efficient wealth transfer plans, and for guiding the firm on fiduciary issues. He serves as Chair of the firm’s Fiduciary Counsel Committee and its Diminished Capacity Working Group.

Prior to joining Bessemer, Dana was a partner with McGuireWoods LLP, where he practiced in the areas of fiduciary litigation and estate planning.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and currently serves on its Board of Regents. He has been recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, is a 2021 inductee into the NAEPC Association Estate Planning Hall of Fame and a member of The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, and he frequently lectures on fiduciary topics.

Dana earned a J.D. from William & Mary Law School, where he was a member of the law review and graduated Order of the Coif, and a B.A. in music from Ithaca College School of Music. He continues to actively perform and record as a jazz and rock drummer.

One Education Credit for CLE (PA Only), Insurance (PA Only), CFP, CPA (PA Only), PACE and CTFA will be offered.

No-shows will be billed. No refunds after November 13, 2026.

Click here to download a printable registration form.

Holiday Celebration (Wednesday, December 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Dec 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Celebrate the most wonderful time of year with the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council at our annual Holiday Celebration. This year's event will be held at The Acorn Club.

This event includes heavy appetizers, light dinner buffet and open bar.

January 2027 Luncheon Program (Tuesday, January 19, 2027)

Tue, 19 Jan 2027 16:45:00 GMT

"Secrets of Successful Families: Creating a Lasting Legacy"

AGENDA
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Coffee Meet & Greet
11:45 - 12:00 p.m. Registration
12:00 - 1:45 p.m. Luncheon & Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

How can you help families avoid the “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations” phenomenon? Not only is it important to prepare the money for the family, but it also is important to prepare the family for the money. This seminar will present the common characteristics of families who have successfully transferred their values—in addition to their wealth—to future generations and will provide examples of practical planning techniques that have helped such families build lasting legacies.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the challenges for families attempting to transfer wealth to future generations.
Identify opportunities to minimize the impact of federal and state income taxes on trusts and estates while preserving family harmony.
Determine ways to help clients align their tax planning strategies with their values to create a lasting legacy.

SPEAKER: Justin Miller, J.D., LL.M., TEP, CFP®, AEP® is a Partner and National Director of Wealth Planning at Evercore Wealth Management and a Managing Director of Evercore Trust Company. He also is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University. In addition, Justin is a frequent keynote speaker at major conferences, has authored numerous articles on estate and tax planning, is regularly quoted by the media as an industry expert, and has been inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame® by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He earned a B.A. with honors from the University of California, Berkeley, and both a J.D. and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law.

One Education Credit for CLE (PA Only), Insurance (PA Only), CFP, CPA (PA Only), PACE and CTFA will be offered.

This Program is Being Sponsored by

No-shows will be billed. No refunds after January 15, 2027.

Click here to download a printable registration form.

February 2027 VIRTUAL Program (Tuesday, February 16, 2027)

Tue, 16 Feb 2027 17:30:00 GMT

"Watch for more information soon!"

The February program will be offered as a virtual meeting only.
We will not be offering an in-person option.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Watch for more information soon!

One Education Credit for CLE (PA Only), Insurance (PA Only), CFP, CPA (PA Only), PACE and CTFA will be offered.

No-shows will be billed. No refunds after February 12, 2027.

March 2027 Educational Program & Reception (Tuesday, March 16, 2027)

Tue, 16 Mar 2027 19:30:00 GMT

"Watch for more information soon!"

AGENDA

Our March education program will be held as an in-person program in the late afternoon. Immediately following our program, attendees are welcome to join us for a cocktail reception.

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Registration
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Program
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Watch for more information soon!

One Education Credit for CLE (PA Only), Insurance (PA Only), CFP, CPA (PA Only), PACE and CTFA will be offered.

2027 Annual Meeting, Seminar & Reception (Thursday, May 13, 2027)

Thu, 13 May 2027 20:00:00 GMT

"Watch for more information soon!"

Agenda
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Registration
4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Council Remarks/Annual Meeting/Election
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Presentation
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Watch for more information soon!

Speaker:

Samuel A. Donaldson [J.D. University of Arizona; LL.M. (Taxation) University of Florida] is a Professor of Law at Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he teaches a number of tax and estate planning courses, as well as courses in the areas of property, commercial law, and professional responsibility. Prior to joining the Georgia State faculty in 2012, he was on the faculty at the University of Washington School of Law in Seattle for 13 years, where he served as the Director of the law school’s Graduate Program in Taxation as well as Associate Dean for Academic Administration. In addition to Georgia State and the University of Washington, Professor Donaldson has taught law school classes at Northwestern University, the University of Florida, and Emory University. He has won seven “professor of the year” awards from three different law schools.

He is an Academic Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and a member of the Bar in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona. He currently serves as the Tax Editor for the Probate Practice Reporter, a monthly publication from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Among his scholarly works, Professor Donaldson is a co-author of the popular law school textbook, Federal Income Tax: A Contemporary Approach, and a co-author of the Price on Contemporary Estate Planning reference volume published by Wolters Kluwer.

Education Credit for CLE (PA Only), Insurance (PA Only), CFP, CPA (PA Only), PACE and CTFA will be offered.

Sponsorship opportunities still available!
Please email staff@philaepc.org to confirm a sponsorship.