Networking and education for financial/estate planning professionals for over 50 years
About Us
In the early 1970’s, Glendale estate planning attorney, business developer, and community leader Eric Ashton Sr. founded the Glendale Estate Planning Council to provide education and the latest news and legal protocols for accountants, attorneys, planned giving officers, trust officers/professional fiduciaries, and financial services professionals. Today, the Glendale Estate Planning Council continues in this mission. Not only are professionals provided with an opportunity to avail themselves with best practices in estate planning principles and tax laws, but the networking opportunities that build connections go a long way toward maintaining best practices for professional character and ethical conduct.
Recent Speakers
David W. Trader, M.D.
Private Practice in Integrative Adult & Geriatric Psychiatry
Former Faculty at UCLA and Medical Dir. of Geriatric Psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
“Crotchety, or Just Plain Nuts: Recognizing and Understanding the Client with Diminished Capacity”
June 16, 2026
Carsten Hoffmann, ASA, TEP
Managing Director, Regional Leader – Irvine, Valuation Advisory
STOUT
“How to Maximize Your Planning Objectives & Pitfalls to Avoid”
March 31, 2026
Andrew M. Katzenstein
with Caroline Robbins
The Estate Whisperer LLC
“More About Estate Planning”
November 18, 2025
Charles P. Rettig, Esq.
Charles P. Rettig, PC, Los Angeles
Commissioner of the IRS (2018–2022)
“IRS Operations in the New Administration”
September 16, 2025
Sarah Mourra, MD
Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry
UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
“Of Sound Mind: Incapacity in the Estate Planning Setting”
June 17, 2025
Sebastian Voth, Esq.
Principal, Hochman Salkin Toscher Perez P.C.
“Navigating 706 Exams: An Inside Take on How Not to Poke the Bear”
March 18, 2025
Lauriann Wright
Wright Kim Douglas, ALC
“Litigation Trends & Pitfalls”
November 19, 2024
Neda Barkhordar, Esq.
KFB Rice, LLP
“Property Tax Post Prop 19”
September 17, 2024
Join Us for Our Next Meeting!
Membership
The Glendale Estate Planning Council has annual dues that can be paid prior to the first meeting of the year. Dues for 2026 are $145 and the window to make payment is now closed for 2026. Dues for 2027 payment (amount yet to be determined) will open in early 2027 prior to the first meeting. All remaining meetings for 2026 are $45 with pre-registration/payment required. Walk-ins may be accepted based on space on the day of the meeting for $50. All meetings include a sandwich, salad, or vegetarian selection; location is the Tam O’Shanter Restaurant, 2980 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039. If you know a current member or members of the Glendale Estate Planning Council and wish to be added to our email list, please sign up below. If you wish for more information about the Glendale Estate Planning Council, you may email info@cfverdugos.org.
2026 Active Membership Directory
The following professionals are current active members of the Glendale Estate Planning Council for the 2026 membership year.
Amin, Sonia E.
Aujla, Raj
Bryant, Wes
Eskin, Sheldon J.
Gopinathan, Sam
Jackson, Steve
Jacobson, John
Kangas, Glen
Karinski, Edna
Kawamura, Doug
Liddell, Patrick A.
Nolasco, Maylene
Olson, Eric J
O’Rourke, Megan Tunnell
Raff, Howard B
Remery, William R.
Roberts, Susan
Samson, Julie
Mekhsian, Kevin
Terrey, John
Tomsic, Gerry
Tripodi, Michelle
Wimmer, Jan Robert
Wimmer, Kathy
Back Row (L to R) Doug Kawamura, Gerry Tomsic, Eric Ashton, Jr., Wilbur Gin, and Sheldon Eskin.
Front Row (L to R) Tom Sano, Julie Samson, and John V. Terrey, Jr.
Glendale Estate Planning Council Leadership
Sheldon Eskin, Esq.
Board Member & President
John V. Terrey, Jr., CPA
Board Member & VP of Speaker Selection
Gerry Tomsic, CPA/Esq.
Board Member
Julie Samson
Board Member
Tom Sano, CPA
Board Member
Doug Kawamura, CPA
Advisor to the Board
Founding & Past Board Members
Eric Ashton Sr., Esq.
Eric Ashton Jr., Esq.
Wilbur Gin, Esq.
Glendale Estate Planning Council’s administrative support provided by the Community Foundation of the Verdugos, a 501.c.3 nonprofit foundation providing support and management for donor advised funds and grant funding to nonprofits within the Verdugo Region. Contact the Foundation at
818-241-8040 or click here for more information.
https://cfverdugos.org/
