ACTEC Elects 51 New Fellows to The College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC – November 13, 2025: On October 23, the Board of Regents of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) met at the College’s 2025 fall meeting in Austin, Texas, to consider nominations for a new class of ACTEC Fellows. The College is pleased to announce that 51 people were selected: 48 Fellows, one Academician, one Canadian International Fellow and one UK International Fellow. The eleven selected interns are graduates ACTEC Fellows Instituteand there are two Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders.
President of ACTEC Peter S. Gordon says: “On behalf of the College, I welcome the newly elected fellows, whose exceptional skills, integrity and commitment to the profession strengthen ACTEC’s mission. Each brings deep experience and fresh perspective to the College’s work to enhance trust and estate law and promote the highest standards of practice. I am especially pleased to recognize our international members, who enrich our ACTEC institutes. graduates and Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders, whose commitment which represents the future of ACTEC”.
To qualify for membership, an attorney must have at least 10 years of experience in the active practice of trust and estate law as a trust advisor with a fiduciary services firm, or a combination thereof. Attorneys and law professors are selected for fellowship based on their outstanding reputation, exceptional skill, and significant contributions to the field through lecturing, writing, teaching, and participation in bar leadership or legislative activities. ACTEC Fellows aims to improve and reform laws, procedures and professional accountability.
The following 48 people were selected as New Fellows:
- Adam M. Ansari Chicago, IL (2018–2020). Dennis I. Belcher Young Leader)
- Todd J. Bornstein Bethesda, MD
- Carter R. Brothers Roanoke, VA
- Shaila Buckley from Boise, ID
- Teresa R. Byers Seattle, WA
- Ann Hetherwick Cahill from Boston, MA
- Tiffany B. Carmona Chicago, IL
- Preston C. Demouchet New York, NY (2022-2024). Dennis I. Belcher Young Leader)
- Anya F. Endsley Portland, ME (2022 New England Fellows Institute graduate)
- Elizabeth A. Faist Atlanta, GA
- Shanna N. Fink Wausau, WI
- Stephanie G. Gamble of New Orleans, LA
- LeAnne M. Gilbert Atlanta, GA
- Heather O. Gilmore Keizer, OR
- Adam M. Grenker Morristown, NJ
- Rebekah L. in the hague Pittsburgh, PA
- Matthew R. Hillery from Boston, MA
- Kasper F. Huber Springdale, AR (2024 Heart of America Institute graduate)
- Elizabeth M. Hughes Miami, FL (2017 Florida Fellow Institute graduate)
- Sarah S. Johnston Birmingham, AL
- William M. Kelleher Wilmington, DE (2022 Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute graduate)
- Cameron R. Kelly Stillwater, MN
- Joseph T. La Ferlita Uniondale, NY
- Stephanie J. Lipson Los Angeles, CA
- Little Matie B Portland, ME (2022 New England Fellows Institute graduate)
- Elizabeth Luke in Greenville, DE
- Elizabeth A. McKillip Lisle, IL
- Margaret St. John Meehan Stamford, CT
- Peter E. Young West Conshohocken, PA (2025 Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute graduate)
- Dionysios C. Pappas Bethlehem, PA
- R. Shaun Rainey Midland, TX
- Chelsea Riekkola Anchorage, AK
- Leon H. Rittenberg, III of New Orleans, LA
- Lisa B. Roper San Diego, CA
- Barbara Jo Smith Salem, OR
- Michael Sneeringer Bonita Springs, FL (2017 Florida Fellow Institute graduate)
- Molly R. Soiffer Boston, MA (2024 New England Fellows Institute graduate)
- H. Wes Taylor Madison, WI
- Laura T. Tetrault Manchester, NH (2022 New England Fellows Institute graduate)
- Rebecca Tunney Boston, MA (2022 New England Fellows Institute graduate)
- Frederick Weber Chicago, IL
- Scott D. Weber Dallas, TX
- Justin W. Whitney Kansas City, MO (2022 Heart of America Institute graduate)
- Raley L. Wiggins Montgomery, AL
- Joseph T. Wilson of New Orleans, LA
- Shawn P. Wolf Miami, FL
- Jeffrey C. Clouds Wilmington, DE
- Alison Renee Zizzo Virginia Beach, VA
The following person was selected as an academic fellow:
The following two people were selected as international fellows:
About The the american Association of Trust and Estate Lawyers (ACTEC): Founded in 1949, The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) is a national nonprofit association of approximately 2,300 attorneys and law professors from the United States and abroad. ACTEC Fellows are elected by their peers based on professional reputation and expertise in the preparation of wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, trust administration and related practice areas. The College’s mission includes improving and reforming laws and procedures and standards of professional practice. ACTEC frequently provides technical commentary on legislation and regulations, but does not take a position on policy or political objectives.
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