MINTO LAW - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney

Bridgette Santos joined NM Law, APC as an Associate Litigation Attorney in 2024. Ms. Santos is a 2021 graduate of Chapman University, Fowler School of Law, and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in 2016. Ms. Santos is licensed to practice law before all of the courts of the State of California. Ms. Santos is experienced in trust and inheritance disputes, elder law, and probates. In her short tenure as a litigation attorney, she has already successfully conducted several evidentiary hearings and second-chaired a high-stakes trial of trust and inheritance litigation. She is well-versed in this area of law and an excellent counselor able to advocate for and guide her clients in the midst of difficult litigation. Education Fowler School of Law, Chapman University, Orange, California University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon Practice Areas Trust & Estate Litigation

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney
• Member of the State Bar of California

For over 20 years Mr. Gerlt has focused his practice on an outside corporate counsel role and general transactional matters encompassing business entity formation and maintenance, purchase and sale of businesses, advising clients with regard to corporate governance and compliance and performing contract negotiations and formation and commercial real estate acquisition and sales, lease negotiations and financing. In addition to standard compliance and business advisory services, some representative transactions recently managed by Mr. Gerlt have included the sale of a large distributor and repair facility of a national equipment manufacturer, the sale of a produce wholesaler and merger of a large assisted living facility, the formation and structuring of a software development company, purchase and sale of several industrial properties, land, office and apartment communities, negotiate multiple lease locations for a national franchise client, obtaining intellectual property rights for branded consumer products, advising clients with regard to shareholder matters, and advise with the development of retail centers. Mr. Gerlt is a member of the State Bar of California and the Orange County Bar Association. Mr. Gerlt received his B.A. in Economics from Principia College, Illinois (1986). He earned a J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1997), where he was a member of the Traynor Honor Society and the Phi Alpha Delta Law Society. Mr. Gerlt enjoys spending time with his family and in the outdoors including camping and hiking in the local mountains, scuba diving and snow skiing.

Job Titles:

• of Counsel

Don Corliss received his law degree from Santa Clara University and an LLM (Federal Taxation) from New York University. He has practiced with several mid-sized AV-rated firms during his career before forming his own firm, Corliss, A Law Corporation. He was a co-founder, President, and COO of a publicly traded company (NASDAQ National Market Status) and was the General Counsel and Vice President to a large privately held company in the construction industry. Mr. Corliss has more than 40 years of experience as a business/corporate, tax, and business planning attorney.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney
• Associate Attorney Ext. 203

Edward Alan Stemmer II is an Associate Attorney at NM Law, APC, and takes a compassionate and client-centered approach to Estate Planning. Mr. Stemmer focuses on assisting clients in setting up comprehensive estate plans to ensure that any client is prepared for obstacles life may hide in their path. With a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of estate planning laws, he is committed to guiding individuals and families through the complex process of preserving and distributing their assets in accordance with their wishes. Edward is a dedicated Estate Planning Attorney with a passion for helping individuals and families secure their futures and protect their assets. Edward has established himself as a trusted advisor, guiding clients through the complexities of estate planning with a personalized and compassionate approach. He ensures a proper framework is laid out in your trust to allow for a smooth transition in your absence, as the last thing a loved one wants to do is argue with a judge while dealing with their loss. Throughout his career, Edward has successfully handled a wide range of estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives. He is well-versed in ensuring the smooth transfer of assets, enabling his clients to preserve the fruits of their labor for future generations. Edward firmly believes that estate planning is not just about distributing assets after one's passing; it is about creating a legacy that reflects the values and aspirations of his clients. He approaches each case with a client-centric mindset, taking the time to understand their individual needs, family dynamics, and long-term objectives. This approach allows Edward to craft personalized and comprehensive estate plans that provide peace of mind and security. Through his unwavering dedication to his clients and field, Edward Stemmer strives to ensure that individuals and families can face the future with confidence and security. Edward enjoys spending his free time with his dogs, a black lab named Meera and a red husky named Boba Milk Tea, and taking them to compete in Barn Hunt competitions. EDUCATION Chapman, Dale E Fowler School of Law; Juris Doctor University of California, Irvine Criminology Law, and Society; Business Management

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney
• Associate Attorney Ext. 102

Kaden J. Kennedy, Esq. is a seasoned trial lawyer focusing on estate and trust litigation, boasting over eighteen years of expertise in the field. With a proven track record of successfully resolving trust and estate disputes, Mr. Kennedy has litigated numerous cases to favorable conclusions in Superior Court. He is adept in both jury trials and court trials, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the legal intricacies involved.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Principal
• Principal Ext. 201

Noelle R. Minto has been a business and estates transactional attorney based in California since 2003. As the founder of the firm, Noelle has extensive experience in bridging the gap between business planning and estate planning. Herprimary office is located in Tustin, CA but she represents individuals and entities based throughout the United States and abroad. Her practice is unique in that she recognizes the interplay between business management and structure and personal family and estate tax planning, specifically for closely held businesses and their owners. Ms. Minto has also represented individuals with unique business assets and income, including YouTube personalities, NFL Players, Olympic Medalists, Pro Surfers, and many real estate developers and investors. Ms. Minto has twenty years of experience crafting comprehensive estate plans which are custom-built for each family's unique needs, whether it's an emphasis on family harmony, addiction, transitioning a business at death, caring for a special needs child or maximizing tax efficiency. Clients can rest assured that with Ms. Minto's counsel they will understand the advanced planning options appropriate for their family and be empowered as the decision makers as to which vehicles are best. She routinely uses tried and true techniques such as: Formation and registration of tax-exempt organizations Establishing irrevocable trusts including charitable remainder trusts Intentionally defective grantor trusts Spousal lifetime access trusts and gifting trusts for children and grandchildren As well as many other traditionally used tax savings vehicles which ensure the preservation and management of wealth for generations. Upon the death of a family member, Ms. Minto provides guidance and comfort to trustees and beneficiaries of the decedent during the trust administration process, and assistance in transitioning family business interests. Petitions to Invalidate Wills and Trusts on grounds of Undue Influence and/or lack of capacity; Financial elder Abuse or other wrongful takings or misappropriations of Trust or Estate assets;