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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
25 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 12 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Ginny | April 21, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Highly recommend
We had a great experience. Bernard did all our estate documents. We would highly recommend him.
Posted by Cathy | August 16, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills
Wonderful Experience
My first meeting with Bernard was when my elderly parents relocated from Florida and needed to update their wills. Bernard could not have been more patient, gracious and thorough. He made himself available after their meeting for additional questions and was so very kind. I have not forgotten this, w...
Posted by Hank | July 26, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Great experience
Bernard was very helpful and creative in solving an estate planning matter highly recommend and will be keeping in touch with him for other matters.
Posted by Terrie | October 09, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills
Wonderful experience
My husband and I found dealing with Mr.Kearse and his staff to be a very pleasant experience. Clearly his years of experience are reflective in his calming demeanor and thorough knowledge of the law. Every step of the process of completing our will and power of attorney directives were laid out to ...
Posted by Carolyn | June 04, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills
Help with setting up our wills.
Mr. Kearse was very helpful with setting our wills, power of attorney and advance directive of health. We had some areas that needed direct supervision and wording. He was very kind and knowledgeable about any questions we had. It was a pleasure meeting him and his assistant, who also was extremel...
"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