Steve R. Akers, J.D., is a Managing Director and Fiduciary Counsel (Southwest Region) with Bessemer Trust Company, N.A., in Dallas, TX.  Akers is a Past Chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law; the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section; and the Dallas Bar Probate, Trusts and Estates Section.  He is a Fellow (currently serving as a Regent) of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Akers received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Oklahoma State University and his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

Jonathan G. Blattmachr is a Principal of Eagle River Advisors, a boutique advisory firm located in New York City, NY, dedicated to developing and implementing innovative wealth, gift and estate tax planning strategies on behalf of high net worth individuals and families. He brings over 35 years of experience in trusts and estates law and has been recognized as one of the country's most creative trusts and estates lawyers. Blattmachr graduated from Columbia University School of Law cum laude and received his A.B. from Bucknell University.

Robert C. Bowers is an attorney at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte.  His complex civil litigation practice includes a focus on helping clients resolve disputes involving a wide range of trust, estate, fiduciary and other wealth transfer-related issues. Bowers' professional recognitions include Legal Elite, 2012; SuperLawyers, 2012; Legal Elite Young Guns, 2007; and Benchmark Litigation Future Star, 2010-2012. He has also served as Treasurer of the Mecklenburg County Bar and on the North Carolina Bar Association Professionalism Committee. Bowers holds a B.A. from Davidson College and a J.D. from Duke University.

Craig L. Janes is a Partner and National Director of Estate, Gift and Trust Services at Deloitte and Touche, LLP, in Washington, D.C. Janes has more than 26 years of professional practice designing and implementing strategies that achieve the personal and charitable objectives of many of the firm's most wealthy clients. He received his B.S. from Utah State University and his M.P.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Richard A. Oshins is a member of the Las Vegas law firm of Oshins & Associates, LLC, where he concentrates in tax and estate planning with a substantial emphasis on multi-generational wealth planning, particularly with regard to closely held businesses.  Mr. Oshins has been an advisor and consultant to many of the largest financial institutions in the United States. He received his J.D. from St. John's School of Law, and holds an M.B.A. in taxation with honors from the University of California at Berkeley, and a L.L.M. in taxation with honors from George Washington University School of Law.  Oshins was elected into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame by NAPEC and was an Attorney Advisor with the Office of TLC.

Tim Quinlan is an economist with Wells Fargo here in Charlotte. He joined Wachovia in 2002 and prior to joining the economics group, he held positions as a trust account portfolio manager and an investment strategist at the bank. His commentary is frequently cited by the press, including publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Financial Times. He is a frequent guest on National Public Radio.  Quinlan holds a B.A. in American Studies with a concentration in Classics from Siena College.

Charles L. Ratner is the National Director of Personal Insurance Counseling for Ernst & Young, LLP in Cleveland, OH. Since joining the firm in 1989, his practice has been devoted to providing life insurance consulting services to corporations, financial institutions and individuals, as well as estate and business succession planning services to closely held companies. Mr. Ratner is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and Emory University School of Law.

Adam L. Shealy is a partner with Van Winkle, Buck, Wall, Starnes and Davis, P.A. in Hendersonville, NC. His practice advises  clients on estate planning, asset protection planning, trust and estate administration, and business and tax planning for the formation, acquisition, sale, transfer and succession of closely-held businesses. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston and the University of Georgia School of Law, as well as a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning & Probate Law and a Certified Public Accountant.