Gail “Kaila” Kawakami

Kaila has a rich academic and legal background. She is licensed to practice law in Alaska, Oregon, and Hawaii and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, an M.A. from Alaska Pacific University, a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School, and a B.A. from the esteemed University of British Columbia. Before joining Est8Planning Counsel LLLC, she worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii in Waianae and as the Veterans Benefits Coordinator for the Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii.

But Kaila is more than just an accomplished legal professional. She is also an adventurer at heart, having lived in the rugged Alaskan Brooks Range, navigated the whitewater rapids of the Snake River in Hells Canyon, and hunted from horseback on the slopes of Mauna Kea. And in her free time, Kaila indulges in her passions for wine tasting, culinary experimentation, gardening, and travel.

Kaila’s remarkable journey is an inspiration to all who know her, and her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of life is a true testament to her character.

• Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas in Estate Planning

  
  

  Estate planning is particularly personal in nature and can raise particularly thorny ethical dilemmas. Good and consistent practices are key, as well as anticipating awkward and difficult situations. Almost every practitioner will find it difficult to distinguish all the conflicts that may arise, especially when it involves dual representation. In this presentation we’ll identify what ethical issues every lawyer should consider, from engagement to execution of documents to annual follow-ups. We’ll discuss estate planning strategies involving competency, communication, and avoiding conflicts of interest. We’ll also identify conflicts for spouses/partners, parent/child, fiduciary/beneficiary, fees, and options when a conflict or other problems arise. This is about issue-spotting, and being ready for the dilemma before it happens.

• Trusts & Strategies of All Kinds

  
  

  There’s a daunting array of estate planning strategies available. Identifying which will help and suit a client, and how to discuss it, is critical. We’ll help frame and organize your thinking, then walk through the pros and cons of your many options. You already know many of them – we’ll discuss the when, how, and why. We’ll look at different types of trusts: the GRAT’s, IDGT’s, Spend Thrift, etc. so you are ready to go from “good lawyer” to “estate planning strategist.”