Wills, Estates & Trusts

Please join TDR and our panel of experts as we discuss the below and more:

•  Estate Planning Essentials: Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney explained

•  Personal & Professional Alignment: Planning that supports families, careers, and businesses

•  Common Planning Risks: Gaps that can create conflict, delays, or added costs

•  Tax & Legislative Considerations: Developments that may impact estates and wealth

•  Plan Reviews & Life Changes: When milestones or law updates require action

James C. Crosland

Associate
Stein Sperling

James Crosland’s personal approach to the practice of law is to maintain transparency, be approachable and produce an excellent work product, treating each client with respect and care. Most clients want to effectively pass wealth to the next generation or protect their assets, and James ensures that clients understand what estate planning is and how it works to meet their goals. James focuses his practice on all aspects of estate and trust planning, including the use of trusts for the next generation, charitable gift planning, special needs planning, disability coverage and estate and trust administration, ensuring that his clients’ wishes are executed efficiently and effectively.

James assures his clients that their goals can be achieved and ensures that those goals are met in a timely manner. He takes the time to explain documents or concepts, answers any questions and gives clients the time they need to process the range of emotions that frequently accompany the estate planning process. James ensures that his clients feel confident, reassured and taken care of throughout the entire estate planning process.

As a husband, father and son, James understands the responsibilities, worries and joys of life and wants to ensure what’s best for families as they move through life. After teaching and working in the non-profit sector, James pivoted to law to further his abilities to make a positive impact for families. Estate planning is a critical component of life’s journey and James handles each case with honesty and empathy. He understands that each family has unique circumstances, needs and responsibilities to translate into comprehensive estate plans. He always takes the time to make sure clients understand legal concepts and documents.

Panelist – Nicole Hewitt

Co-founding member
HWK Law Group

Nicole concentrates her practice in Estate Planning and Estate Administration, Asset Protection and Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, and Real Estate Transactions, with particular focus on the tax implications within each discipline. She advises individuals, multi-generational families, and business owners, as well as individuals and families navigating physical or cognitive challenges related to aging, developmental disabilities, or injury, to design and implement comprehensive estate, tax, and long-term care planning strategies aligned with their personal and financial objectives.

Before co-founding HWK Law Group and affiliated title company, Lawyers Express Title, Nicole served as a senior tax associate with two Big Five accounting firms, practiced as an associate at a prominent Baltimore law firm, and held the role of General Counsel and Executive Director for a national lender.

Nicole lives in Lutherville with her husband and three children. Outside of her practice, she enjoys traveling, especially frequent trips to Florida, along with tennis, pickleball, skiing, and time with family and friends.

Panelist – Christine W. Hubbard, Esq.

Attorney
Law Offices of Christine W. Hubbard, LLC

Christine W. Hubbard has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years with a focus on estate planning, sophisticated estate and gift tax planning, asset protection, charitable giving, estate and trust administration, and business succession planning.Christine is a Past Chair of the Maryland State Bar Association Estate & Trust Law Section Council, and Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). She is also the Past Chair and Co-founder of the Anne Arundel Estate Planning Council and Past Chair of the Anne Arundel Bar Association Estates & Trusts Section. Christine was recently admitted to the Professional Advisors Recognition Society of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, and is a frequent lecturer and author on estate and trust related topics. Christine received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland College Park and J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.