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Bernard V. Kearse, III, graduated from Wofford College in 1972, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Kearse received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1976, where he served as an editor for the South Carolina Law Review, and received a master’s degree in Estate Planning from the University of Miami in 1977. Prior to starting his own firm, he practiced with national law firms and served as the Employee Benefits Counsel for a Fortune 200 company with approximately 30,000 employees worldwide.
A member of the Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia and American Bar Associations, Mr. Kearse’s firm has been recognized since 2006 in Martindale-Hubbell’s Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He is also a Lifetime Fellow of The American Bar Foundation (ABF), an organization limited to 1/3 of 1% of the attorneys in America. Founded in 1955, the Fellows of the ABF is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges and law professors whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.
His experience includes designing and drafting wills and trust documents associated with estate planning and elder law, designing and drafting pension, deferred compensation, severance, self-funded medical and other benefit plans (including ESOPs), and representation of clients regarding formation of limited liability companies.
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$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: Georgia
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
State: South Carolina
Acquired: 1977
No misconduct found
State: Virginia
Acquired: 1981
No misconduct found
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1977
No misconduct found
5565 Glenridge Connector Ste 350, Atlanta, GA, 30342-4705
Showing 1 - 5 of 25 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Mary O. | June 30, 2023 | Consulted Attorney
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 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...
Posted by Artis and Michael | October 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney
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...
Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2022 | Hired Attorney
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...
Posted by Crawford | September 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney
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...
"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."
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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
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
2016 - Present
Digital Assets Committee of the American Bar AssociationMember
2014 - Present
American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, Estate Planning and Estate Administration for Business Owners CommitteeChairman
1981 - Present
Virginia Bar AssociationFellow
1980 - Present
Georgia State Bar AssociationFellow
1978 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationFellow
1977 - Present
American Bar AssociationFellow
1977 - Present
South Carolina BarFellow
1996 - 1996
Leadership Sandy SpringsFormer President
1996 - 2016
Sandy Springs MissionBoard Member
1977
LL.M - Master of Laws
1976
JD - Juris Doctor
1972
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2016
Digital Assets in Estate Planning
2016
Basic Estate Planning
2016
2016 Update on ERISA Form 5500
2015
Basic Estate Planning
2015
Advanced Estate Planning
English