TBSS - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Scottsdale Bar Association

Andrew is a member of the Scottsdale Bar Association, a lifetime member of the Miami University Alumni Association and the University of Toledo Alumni Association. He volunteers for the Scottsdale Bar Association Legal Clinic, holds free estate planning seminars at local businesses and also volunteers for Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue Network to transport surrendered dogs. J.D., The University of Toledo College of Law, 2005. During law school, Andrew was a member of the Moot Court team where he was an individual award winner in regional oral arguments and he was a part time clerk for Ohio Supreme Court Justice Alice Robie Resnick during the summer of 2004, and clerked for Spitler Huffman, LLP. Andrew C. Spitler primarily practices in the area of estate planning. He provides customized estate planning solutions tailored to fit the needs of his clients. While a plan may be simple or complex, he helps clients select the correct documents based on client needs, loved ones, assets, possible taxation, and potential risks. In selecting the correct documents he goes far beyond simply choosing a template to apply to a client. Andrew strongly believes that clients need to understand their documents, the importance of properly funding trusts and/or establishing beneficiary designations, and the need for ongoing review, to ensure clients remain protected in light of changes in applicable laws, changes in assets, and changes in family relationships in the years following the creation of an estate plan. Some of his areas of practice within estate planning are: Lifetime planning; Multi-generational planning; Planning for non-citizens; Special needs planning; Disability planning; Long-term care planning; Tax planning for taxes such as estate, gift, generation skipping, capital gains, tax basis matters; Qualified plans such as pensions, IRAs, and 401K planning; and Charitable planning. Some specific documents Andrew prepares are: Wills, Living Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Charitable Trusts, Health Care Powers of Attorney, Financial Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, HIPAA Authorizations, Deeds and Assignments. As many times clients are business owners, he also assists clients in business succession planning matters, as well as the formation of business entities such as limited liability companies, the transfer of business assets to trusts or other plans to facilitate probate avoidance, possible tax benefits, and inclusion with a client's estate plan. As many clients find themselves in a situation where estate planning was not completed, lost or ineffective, Andrew assists clients in Trust Administration, Probate proceedings, and Non-Probate Transfers upon a death and in incapacity situations where a Guardianship or Conservatorship is needed. Upon the death or incapacity of a loved one, clients are left with many confusing and difficult tasks to settle an estate or complete a probate process to allow them authority to act for their loved one. Andrew excels at supporting his clients during this emotionally difficult and confusing time and is available throughout the process to take as much of the legal burden away from his clients as possible. Additionally, Andrew assists clients in a variety of transactional real estate matters, title issues, boundary issues and related real estate matters. Andrew is a licensed Arizona real estate agent, a certified short sale and foreclosure resource, a certified probate real estate specialist, and can help clients in need of foreclosure and other real estate matters such as short sales, deeds-in-lieu and loan modifications.

Bradley S. Shelts is a litigator by nature and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of litigation. He is passionate about clients' cases and represents his clients' interests aggressively and with tenacity while practicing law ethically and with integrity.

Casey O. Miller primarily practices in the areas of civil and commercial litigation with Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts PLC. Through careful listening and attention to detail, Casey focuses on understanding his client's interests and objectives. This understanding allows Casey to carefully analyze the issues and develop results-driven strategies to help clients achieve their goals.

David A. Fitzgerald is a civil litigator and a business attorney. He has practiced law for about 20 years and is now a principal with Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts PLC. David previously practiced in the business law and institutional finance departments of Day Berry & Howard LLP, now known as Day Pitney LLP, a Connecticut-based firm. Before becoming an attorney, David was a vice president and chief financial officer of a closely held business, a vice president of a publicly traded company, and a senior auditor and financial consultant with an international accounting firm. David A. Fitzgerald is a civil litigator and a business attorney. He has practiced law for over 23 years and is now a principal with Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts PLC.

Elan S. Mizrahi's diverse civil litigation practice allows him to service a broad spectrum of clients in a wide array of civil matters. Whether Elan's client is a large corporation with a complex commercial dispute or a local community member with a personal legal issue and a tight budget, Elan carefully evaluates his clients' legal needs and develops a sound strategy customized for his clients' unique circumstances. Elan primarily services clients with pre-litigation and litigation needs in areas such as contracts, construction, real estate, intellectual property, business torts, general business disputes, municipality defense, toxic torts and general insurance defense, as well as personal injury and dignitary torts. Elan has successfully handled numerous jury trials and civil appeals and has served as a mediator. Elan has lived in Arizona since 1978, when his family moved from Brooklyn, New York where he was born. Having grown up in the Phoenix area (Sunnyslope High School Class of 1988) and having attended the University of Arizona for undergraduate studies and Arizona State University for law school, Elan's community roots run deep. Over the years, he has involved himself in countless charities, community programs, rugby clubs and soccer teams, and was a nominee for the Martin Luther King "Living the Dream" award.

Jon A. Titus enjoys the art of taking complicated and confusing factual and legal issues and simplifying them into easily understandable parts.

Job Titles:

• Leader
• Co - Founding Member of the Law Offices of Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts PLC
• PROFESSIONALS

Kurt has been a leader in the community for many years. He serves on the Executive Committee, and is a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce. Kurt is the 2012 recipient of the Chamber's Legacy Award and a two-time recipient of the Chairman's Award. He serves on the Advisory Board for Scottsdale Leadership and is the recipient of the 2008 Frank W. Hodges Alumni Achievement Award presented by Scottsdale Leadership for his significant contributions to the community. Kurt has served on the Department of Finance Advisory Board at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Kurt is a member of the Scottsdale Charros and is a Director of the Scottsdale Charros Foundation. Kurt currently serves on the Advisory Board of Scottsdale Coalition of Today and Tomorrow with presidents and CEOs of various Scottsdale companies working to promote business in Scottsdale. Kurt has served as chairman of various City of Scottsdale boards and commissions. Kurt M. Brueckner is a co-founding member of the law offices of Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts PLC. Kurt is committed to solving client problems in a cost-efficient manner and to develop long-term relationships with clients. Kurt prides himself on being responsive to clients' needs. Over several decades, Kurt has developed expertise in corporate law, business law, real estate, health care, mergers and acquisitions, securities, finance, intellectual property and work-outs. Kurt represents individuals and companies ranging from start-ups to public companies. He has extensive experience in representing entrepreneurs, homebuilders, developers, hospitals, tech companies, lenders, brokerage firms, landlords, and businesses seeking debt and equity financing. His work has been recognized by his peers as having been awarded the highest rating of AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review for over twenty consecutive years. Kurt is one of fourteen attorneys in the entire Southwest to receive the designation of "Super Lawyer" for business/corporate law. In addition to the practice of law, Kurt was inducted into the Scottsdale History Makers Hall of Fame for his many contributions to the community.

Job Titles:

• Member of the State Bar of Arizona

Larry is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, Illinois Bar Association, Maricopa County Bar Association, Scottsdale Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and Defense Research Institute. Larry has been an active volunteer for the Arizona Special Olympics. In the past, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Program Committee, and member of the Games Management Team for the summer and fall championships. Larry J. Crown is a litigator with extensive trial and appellate experience in complex civil cases. His trial and appellate experience involves representing plaintiffs and defendants in wrongful death, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, professional malpractice, municipal civil rights, insurance bad faith, toxic tort, environmental and commercial litigation. Larry represents clients in all phases of litigation including jury trials, appeals, mediations and arbitrations. He has been practicing law for over 41 years in Arizona and Illinois. Prior to joining the firm, Larry was a senior prosecuting attorney for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Chicago, Illinois for seven years. He had extensive trial experience including daily jury and bench trials and litigation of motions in cases involving capital and violent offenses, sex, narcotics, property and financial crimes. Larry is a graduate of Arizona State University (B.S. 1978) and Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D. 1981). Larry has earned the AV Preeminent Rating with Martindale Hubbell®.

Zachary D. Mastro practices business and real estate law with Titus Brueckner Spitler & Shelts PLC. Zach focuses on each clients' individual goals and executing them with an attention to detail.