Suppose you have a will. Is it all you need in today’s CoVID-19 world? Do you own a home? Rental properties? Have you created content e.g., books, products, music, photographs? Are all of those assets properly titled? Are you part of a blended family? Is the estate plan you created years ago still valid? Have you made accommodations in the event you become incapacitated?
If you answered “YES” to any of the above, consider attending this program. Join Estate Planning & Intellectual Property Attorney, Francine Ward for an eye-opening experience.
Francine’s intellectual property (IP) law practice focuses on helping clients assess, develop, and protect their valuable IP. She counsels clients on the best and most effective way to achieve copyright protection. She also educates clients as to what can be protected by trademark (e.g., words, logos, slogans, designs, sounds, and in some cases colors and fragrances), and how to defend those valuable rights. Authors hire Francine to counsel them on the intricacies of the publishing process, which often involves carefully negotiating their book contracts. For clients with websites, Francine educates them on the importance of well crafted terms of use and privacy policies, especially in light of the enactment of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
As for her trust and estate practice, Francine is not a trust-mill nor a document factory. She understands all too well that there is no “one size fits all” estate plan. Customization is key. Not everyone needs a complicated trust with sub-trusts, and for others, a simple will may be all that’s required. Whether someone needs an irrevocable or revocable trust, a pet trust, or a special needs trust, the topic is always discussed, so clients understand their options. Having clearly explained facts helps clients make intelligent decisions as to what works best for them.
Francine is an active participant in her legal, church, and support communities. She serves on the governing body of the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Law Section (IPL), which has over 19,000
members, and she chairs IPL’s Attorney Wellness Committee. In addition, Francine teaches intellectual property and contract drafting at the California Desert Trial Academy of Law in Indio, California.
Author of two traditionally published self help books, Francine is nationally known as a gifted and inspiring keynote speaker.
Francine is a 1989 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and is admitted to practice in California, New York, and the District of Columbia.