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DREW & WARD PARTNERS EARN ESTATE PLANNING CERTIFICATION FROM OHIO STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
The Drew & Ward law firm is proud to announce that two partners, Richard Ruebel and Ruth Rounding (no longer with the firm 7/14/06), have earned prestigious certification by the Ohio State Bar Association as specialists in the field of estate planning, trust and probate law.
The OSBA Certified Specialist Program is accredited by the Ohio Supreme Court's Commission on Certification of Attorneys as Specialists. The certification ensures that an attorney possesses an enhanced level of skill and expertise, as well as substantial involvement in estate planning, trust and probate law.
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Email - Mr. Ruebel |
"Clients can understand from the high standards of this certification that we have thorough knowledge and proficiency in this field," Mr. Ruebel explained.
Both Ms. Rounding and Mr. Ruebel are fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, which has elected only 12 current members from Cincinnati.
During his 30 years as an attorney, Mr. Ruebel has served clients with extensive work in estate and trust administration, fiduciary duties and liabilities; succession and life insurance planning; counseling for non-profit organizations and foundations; planned giving; and other related tax matters. He is a graduate of Cornell University (B.A., 1970) and the University of Cincinnati (J.D., 1973).
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Ms. Rounding practices at Drew & Ward in the general areas of estate planning, probate and taxation, with a special interest in planning for disabled and elderly family members. She serves on the Board of Governors of the Ohio State Bar Association Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Section. Ms. Rounding graduated from the University of Western Ontario (B.A., 1973) and Harvard Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1976).
"With this certification, clients can feel confident that Dick and I have dedicated a great deal of our time and energy to this specialty," Ms. Rounding said.
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Email - Ms. Rounding |
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Mr. Ruebel and Ms. Rounding were among only 40 attorneys in Ohio to be certified with this specialization this year. Last year, in the first year of the program, 80 attorneys in Ohio were certified.
To earn the OSBA Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialty Certification, an attorney must meet a rigorous set of standards that include:
- demonstrate substantial and continuing involvement in the field of estate planning, trust and probate law, which must equal at least 25 percent of the attorney's overall law practice.
- submit at least five references from peers - including judges and attorneys already certified as specialists.
- pass a written exam testing their knowledge and skills in the areas of estate planning; Ohio trust, estate and guardianship administration; taxes; and professional responsibility.
- complete a minimum of 45 hours of specialized continuing legal education in the field during the past three years and finish 12 more hours every two years.
Drew & Ward Co., LPA celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2003, enjoying a history of more than four decades of service: service to clients, service to the law, and service to the community. Ray Drew and Dick Ward opened their office in the Central Trust Tower (now the Fourth & Vine Tower) in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1958. Both were pilots during World War II and returned to pursue legal careers after admiring attorneys in their own families. The two founded the firm based on the ideals of serving clients with good counsel, cost effective solutions and hard work.
For more information, call 513-621-8210.
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