LOS ANGELES ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Wildfires in LA County have affected tens of thousands of people. Los Angeles Estate Planning Council has prepared a panel of experts to address the things you need to know in the months ahead to provide practical next steps and strategies for recovery. 

Join the Los Angeles Estate Planning Council for this special meeting of the season at our new time and location - breakfast at the Jonathan Club. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the program starts at 8:30 a.m. 

Panelists include: 

• Rachel Fiset – Attorney at Zweiback Fiset & Zalduendo LLP
• Mark MacFarlane - CEO and Co-Founder of Vimvi real estate
• Sam Pugatch – Personal insurance and risk management expert of NFP
• Karen McManus – President of Jacqueline Silverman & Associates art appraisals

The Panel will be moderated by Debby Doitich, Esq. of KJM|Law Partners.

Rachel L. Fiset is a co-founder and managing partner of Zweiback, Fiset & Zalduendo LLP. The attorneys at Zweiback, Fiset & Zalduendo LLP have litigated hundreds of cases relating to multiple wildfires in California. They have worked on behalf of both Plaintiffs and major utility company defendants. Their attorneys have tried dozens of cases, and have also assisted in the settlement of over 2,500 homeowners’ and businesses’ lawsuits relating to personal injury and property damage resulting from wildfires. 

Mark MacFarlane is a seasoned real estate professional, attorney, and entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience in residential, commercial, and multifamily real estate valuation, acquisition, brokerage, and management. He is the Founder and CEO of Vimvi Real Estate, a Pasadena-based brokerage specializing in real estate solutions for Attorneys, Fiduciaries & family estates throughout Southern California.

Mr. MacFarlane, born and raised in Pasadena, was boots on the ground putting out Altadena fires with his teenageboys. Victims of the Los Angeles wildfires will need help to navigate their options - whether rebuilding, selling their lots, or purchasing replacement properties. His favorite line, "let's make it a math problem." By leveraging numbers and financial analysis, he empowers dire victims to make informed decisions based on objective economic factors, ensuring they can rebuild efficiently or transition into new properties in a way that maximizes their financial recovery. 

Sam Pugatch has over 20 years of experience in personal and commercial property and casualty insurance with a specific emphasis on coverage and risk management for clients working with Fine Art, Jewelry and other Rare/Historical Assets. Sam serves as a Vice President on the Private Client Group, and is the subject matter expert across the NFP Platform for clients and colleagues in need of advisory on issues related to Fine Art, Jewelry and Collectable Assets. 

Karen McManus has nearly two decades of fine art appraisal experience and a background in museum registration and academia. She is president and owner of Jacqueline Silverman & Associates, a boutique appraisal firm specializing in the appraisal of Impressionist & Modern and Post-War, Contemporary and Emerging fine art of all media, and has extensive experience conducting appraisals for total and partial loss claims. Karen is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America.

Moderator Debby Doitch, Esq. is a shareholder at KJMLAW Partners, where she focuses primarily on probate and trust litigation. She also handles a wide variety of business, employment, real estate and family law disputes, as well as represents petitioners, objectors, creditors, and trustees in probate and bankruptcy proceedings. Debby is a major proponent of working with fiduciaries to help resolve matters when cases become highly contested, and will also represent fiduciaries in their professional roles as well. Debby has extensive trial experience as well as significant success in taking her cases to mediation and arbitration.  

**Please RSVP by 2/13/2025**

CLOTHING DRIVE

LAEPC is hosting a clothing drive for gently used professional clothing to aid in the recovery of those affected by the LA wildfires. We will be collecting gently used professional clothing at our February meeting. If you or someone you know has been affected by the wildfires and is in need of professional clothing, please contact us at losangelesepc@gmail.com.