Arranging a Meeting of the MindsArranging a Meeting of the Minds

http://www.theblumfirm.com/

The Blum Firm, P.C., established by Marvin Blum over 30-years ago, has law offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, and Houston and specializes in the areas of estate planning and probate, asset protection planning, planning for closely-held businesses, tax planning, tax controversy, and charitable planning.  The company has grown to be the largest group of estate planning attorneys in the State of Texas. 

Mr. Blum is known for creating customized, cutting-edge estate plans, now serving hundreds of high net worth families, several with a net worth exceeding $1 billion.  Mr. Blum was chosen as one of the "Nation's Top 100 Attorneys" by New York's Worth magazine, and was also named one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine.  He is a highly sought-after speaker and lecturer among his peers, having made numerous presentations to legal and tax professionals, and has recently been named to the Editorial Advisory Committee for Trusts & Estates Magazine. 

Mr. Blum is highly dedicated to his community and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer and one of three Board members (along with Emmitt and Pat Smith) of the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, a public charity devoted to creating opportunities for disadvantaged children.  Mr. Blum is in his 35^th year as Treasurer of the Fort Worth Symphony, and served as Presiding Chair for numerous terms of The Multicultural Alliance, formerly The National Conference of Christians and Jews, a service organization fighting bias, bigotry and racism.  Mr. Blum has recently joined the Texas Cultural Trust Board of Directors to help raise public and legislative awareness of the importance of the arts in Texas. 

Mr. Blum, an attorney and Certified Public Accountant, is Board Certified in Estate Planning & Probate Law and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.  He earned his BBA (Highest Honors) in Accounting from the University of Texas in 1974, where he graduated first in his class and was named Ernst & Ernst Outstanding Student in Accounting.  Mr. Blum received his law degree (High Honors) from the University of Texas School of Law in 1978, where he graduated second in his class and was named the Prentice-Hall Outstanding Student in Taxation.  Mr. Blum and his wife, Laurie, reside in Fort Worth, Texas.

Austin B. Light, J.D., is an associate at The Blum Firm, P.C. He received his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law with Honors and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Austin College magna cum laude.

Austin’s practice focuses on developing comprehensive, individually tailored estate plans to minimize estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes and provide an efficient and effective means for transferring wealth. Austin is skilled in navigating family and other relationship dynamics to develop strategic, successful estate plans that address both economic and non-economic concerns with a dedication to understanding the special needs of clients and their families. Austin also advises business owners on tax minimization, business succession at death or retirement, best practices, valuation discounts, and creditor liability and asset protection.

Austin’s prior experience includes working in the Dallas and Austin offices of Vinson & Elkins LLP, where he specialized in Executive Compensation and Benefits. Austin brings a wealth of knowledge on structuring, drafting, implementing, and administering a variety of compensation-related plans and arrangements as well as compensation and employee-related aspects of public and private transactions.

In his free time, Austin enjoys the outdoors and hanging out with his dog, Pinto.