Impact of NCBE Dropping Wills & Trusts from the Next Gen Bar Exam

The National Conference of Bar Examiners, which develops the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), has dropped wills and trusts as a tested subject matter from the Next Gen Bar Exam scheduled to be rolled out in July 2026. Not all 40 states currently using the UBE have signed on to the Next Gen Bar exam, but an increasing number are doing so. Although California is bucking the trend for now, trusts and estates practitioners are justifiably worried about the negative impact of the decision to remove wills and trusts from the bar exam throughout large portions of the country.

Partner Meg Lodise's Daily Journal article highlights the critical role trusts and estates attorneys play for clients of all economic backgrounds, warning that a shortage in the field would be a disservice to the public.

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The Origin of “Grandfathered” and the “Grandfather Clause”

The terms “grandfathered” and “grandfather clause” have significant historical and legal implications, particularly in the context of American history and its legacy of racial discrimination. As host of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel’s “Planning for a Diverse and Equitable Future” video series, Partner Terrence Franklin led a conversation with ACTEC Fellows who explored the historical significance of these terms in U.S. law, and discussed if they belong in modern times.

John Scheerer Appointed as ABA RPTE Vice-Chair – Professional Responsibility

Partner John Scheerer has been appointed to the position of Vice Chair – Professional Responsibility of the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section for the 2024-25 bar year. ABA RPTE provides leadership and subject matter expertise on current regulatory and legal issues, trends, and best practices with the goal of empowering members to better serve their clients.

Terrence Franklin Chairs USC Gould School of Law 50th Annual Trust and Estate Conference

Partner Terrence Franklin served as Chair of the USC Gould School of Law 50th Annual Trust and Estate Conference, a role he has held since 2019. The conference was held November 19 in downtown Los Angeles, with expert speakers providing practical and real-life solutions to issues in estate planning, probate and trust administration.

Meg Lodise spoke on the panel "Three’s Company or Three’s a Crowd: The Interaction and Tension Between Estate Planners, Fiduciary Counsel and Fiduciary Litigators in Representing Their Respective Clients" at the ACTEC 2024 Fall Meeting.

Terrence Franklin presented "Reparative Measures for the Legacy of Slavery" at the Harvard Black Alumni Global Changemakers Conference.

Meg Lodise and Michele Nielsen presented the Continuing Education of the Bar – California CLE program "Clients with Diminished Capacity: Facts, Strategies & Ethics."

Terrence Franklin presented the CLE program "Bending the Arc of History Towards Justice" at the San Bernardino County Bar Association Estate Planning Trust & Probate Section Symposium 2024.