Bruce is broadly experienced in estate planning, estate and gift tax planning, income tax planning for estates and trusts, probate and trust administration, and real property law as well as probate and trust litigation and planning related to qualified plan/IRA distributions.
He is a graduate of Miami Senior High, the University of North Carolina, and Harvard Law School. While at the University of North Carolina, he chaired the Debate Council and was admitted into Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Signa, as he combined majors in Political Science and Accounting. He concentrated his studies at Harvard Law School in tax and estate planning.
Bruce has been active in the Florida Bar, including service as Chair of the Judicial Poll Committee and as Chair of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section. He was involved in developing the board certification in Wills, Trust and Estates law.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
Bruce met his wife, Mary Ann, at college. They married while he was in the Air Force where he was an assistant adjutant at Patrick Air Force Base in Brevard County, Florida. Bruce later served in the Air Force Reserves and was a Major when he separated from the Air Force after 15 years of service due to his family obligations and legal workload. Mary Ann was an Art Critic for the St. Petersburg Times. Bruce and Mary Ann have three children, all were born in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Honors & Awards
Board Certified by The Florida Bar, Wills, Trusts and Estates Law
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell
The Best Lawyers in America (Trusts & Estates, Trusts & Estates Litigation), 2009-2016
Florida Super Lawyers 2007
Professionalism Award, St. Petersburg Bar Association, 2009
Associations & Memberships
The Florida Bar (Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section)
The Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Chair, 1994-1995
The Florida Bar, Estate Planning and Probate Certification Committee, Chair, 1987-1988
The Florida Bar, Judicial Poll Committee, Chair
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow, 1983-present
Masonic Home of Florida, Legal Advisor, 1980-present
The Hospice Foundation of the Florida Suncoast, Former Chair, 2010-2013
