Bernard Vernon Kearse III

Bernard Vernon Kearse III

5.0
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 48 years

Elder law Lawyer at Atlanta, GA
Practice Areas: Elder Law, Employee Benefits, Estate Planning, Probate

5565 Glenridge Connector Ste 350, Atlanta, GA

About Bernard

Biography

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 35 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1990

Emeritus

No misconduct found

Licensed in South Carolina for 48 years

State: South Carolina

Acquired: 1977

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Virginia for 44 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 1981

Retired

No misconduct found

Licensed in Illinois for 48 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1977

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

The Kearse Law Firm, PC

5565 Glenridge Connector Ste 350, Atlanta, GA, 30342-4705

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Bernard Vernon Kearse III's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

25 Client Reviews

5 star (25)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Mary O. | June 30, 2023 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Very Kind and Helpful

Atty. Kearse was unable to help me, but took the time to refer me to another well qualified lawyer. Thank you , Atty. Kearse, you are the best!

Posted by Rick | October 25, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Estate planning

This was the second time using Bernard law firm and the second time I experienced excellent services. Attorney Mary Lou Morris was very focused on customer services, explained the process clearly, and provided timely feedback and thoughful consultation. I would recommend Kearse to anyone looking fo...r a Will or estate planning services.

Posted by Artis and Michael | October 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great service

This was my 2nd time using Mr. Kearse's firm to prepare wills, power of attorney and medical directives for me and my husband. And just like the first time, we were very satisfied with the level of customer service. We worked with Mary Lou Morris who was very knowledgeable and helpful. Mary Lou ask...ed all the right questions and helped us immensely.

Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Revision and rewrites

Bernard initially worked with my husband and I in 2016 to write what we thought was our very complex wills and trusts. He worked through each and every aspect of our wishes and issues. He did an excellent job. We recently required some revisions and rewrites. Bernard and Mary Lou worked through e...ach and every wish and request. They were very professional and pleasant to work with. All concerns and questions were answered in a timely, proficient manner. We would highly recommend.

Posted by Crawford | September 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Above and Beyond

I felt like I was their most important client throughout the process. There were numerous times that Mr. Kearse and Ms. Mary Lou Morris went above and beyond the call in their advice, their support, and their delivery of the product we needed. I was especially grateful of some extra support Ms. Mar...y Lou provided as we wrapped up my dad's estate on two separate occasions.

See All Client Reviews

Bernard Vernon Kearse III's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Bernard
Paul James Coburn headshot
Paul Coburn

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 14

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I met Bernard Kearse through a colleague years ago. We have had the opportunity to consult on matters together, and I have been happy to send clients to Bernard for their trust and estate needs. Bernard is a skilled and knowledgeable attorney and I hold him in the highest regard."

View All Endorsements

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2018

10 Best, American Institute of Legal Counsel

2018

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2014

Top Lawyers, Legal Network

Work Experience

1992 - Present

Principal, The Kearse Law Firm

1989 - 1992

Of Counsel, Trotter Smith & Jacobs/Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

1986 - 1989

In House Attorney, Emhart Coporation

1980 - 1986

Associate, Hunton & Williams

1977 - 1980

Associate, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP A Law Firm Serving Global Clients

Associations

2016 - Present

Digital Assets Committee of the American Bar Association

Member

2014 - Present

American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, Estate Planning and Estate Administration for Business Owners Committee

Chairman

1981 - Present

Virginia Bar Association

Fellow

1980 - Present

Georgia State Bar Association

Fellow

1978 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Fellow

1977 - Present

American Bar Association

Fellow

1977 - Present

South Carolina Bar

Fellow

1996 - 1996

Leadership Sandy Springs

Former President

1996 - 2016

Sandy Springs Mission

Board Member

Education

1977

University of Miami

LL.M - Master of Laws

1976

University of South Carolina

JD - Juris Doctor

1972

Wofford College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Seven Hills Community Association

Digital Assets in Estate Planning

2016

Mount Paran Christian School

Basic Estate Planning

2016

2016 Bebefits Selling Expo

2016 Update on ERISA Form 5500

2015

Jackson Health Care

Basic Estate Planning

2015

Emory University

Advanced Estate Planning

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution