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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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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 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Artis and Michael | October 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills
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...
Posted by Robin Ives Moncrief | October 02, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Fabulous Estate Attorney on a Human Level
We were referred to Bernard due to relationship with another firm, and couldn't be more pleased. Estate planning can be overwhelming and confusing, and he was gracious, knowledgeable, and most of all, patient with our questions. A second marriage can carry alot of baggage and heirs, and he helped u...
Posted by Mark | March 28, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
A++++++++ Attorney
Bernard Kearse is by far the best Estate Planning attorney I have ever had the pleasure of retaining. Bernard's knowledge of and his ability to explain complex legal estate issues in a way that I could understand has no doubt come from his many years of experience. I highly recommend Bernard Kearse.
Posted by Heidi | March 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Very easily understood and thorough
Bernard helped my husband and myself with our wills and estate planning. In our case, because of several adopted children, one of whom is special needs, there were several items which we had never thought of, and he was able to bring it to our attention and advise us wisely. Everything about the ...
Posted by Barry | March 03, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Timely and Professional Services
Bernard is always helpful and professional and has the ability to answer legal questions in a way they can be understood. I had to ask Bernard to complete a legal document, at the last minute, for me prior to going out of town, and he was able to get it completed with time to spare.
"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