In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Afton Martin, a seasoned estate planning attorney whose career has been shaped deeply by her family and a passion for helping others. Amanda shares how her name carries her father's legacy and how her decision to retain “Afton” as her middle name reflects both personal and professional respect for her roots. We talk about her long-standing legal partnership with her father, who still practices at 93, and the evolution of their practice over two decades.

Amanda gives us a window into her family life, including raising her daughter, who shows signs of inheriting her mother’s advocacy spirit. She reflects on how being raised by a lawyer father and a brilliant legal secretary mother shaped her worldview and influenced her pursuit of law—not for prestige, but to make a tangible difference in people's lives.

Our conversation explores Amanda’s deep commitment to what she calls “creative legacy planning.” This goes beyond just estate and tax law—it’s about helping people identify what matters to them and crafting personalized plans that preserve relationships and meaning. She discusses the satisfaction of receiving handwritten notes and postcards from clients—proof that empathy and advocacy go hand-in-hand in her work.

Amanda also opens up about her academic path, from her JD at Detroit College of Law to an LLM in taxation from Wayne, driven by her desire to understand and demystify complex tax laws. Though tax laws change constantly, her focus has shifted to estate taxation and helping families through transition with thoughtful, emotionally intelligent planning.

We also learn about Amanda’s personal interests—sailing, photography, and hiking (yes, she listed it twice)—and how her time living in England gave her unexpected opportunities and appreciation for leisure and family. At Kemp Klein, she’s found more than just a workplace; she’s found a collaborative and supportive environment where friendships form quickly and professional generosity thrives.

A highlight of our talk is Amanda’s heartfelt explanation of the Turtle Effect Foundation, named after a beloved family member. The foundation supports future Air Force Academy cadets and elite cyclists, keeping his spirit alive through meaningful support and outreach.

We close the episode reflecting on our shared experiences of working with our fathers and how both of us were drawn to law by the desire to do good. Amanda exemplifies the kind of lawyer who leads with heart and intelligence, and we’re lucky to have her here at Kemp Klein.

Amanda Afton Martin's Bio: https://kkue.com/amanda-afton-martin/

ICLE – Institute of Continuing Legal Education: https://www.icle.org

Turtle Effect Foundation: https://turtleeffect.org/

More info on the Kemp Klein Law Firm can be found at https://kkue.com/

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In this episode of Pro Bono with Ed Nahhat, we sit down with Brian Rolfe, President and CEO of Kemp Klein Law Firm. Brian shares his journey from joining the firm in 2007 to leading it today, emphasizing the firm’s unique culture and long-standing staff. His commitment to the firm grew over time, leading him to take on leadership responsibilities while maintaining his law practice.

Brian reflects on his early legal career, starting in tax and business litigation, and how his experience shaped his approach to firm management. He discusses the importance of mentorship, peer recognition, and the effort required to become a "Super Lawyer," highlighting the steep learning curve young attorneys face in their first years. He attributes much of his success to resilience, preparation, and a strong support system, including his wife, Leslie, whom he met in college.

We also explore Brian’s personal interests, including his passion for marathon running, skiing, and officiating lacrosse. He draws parallels between preparing for a marathon and preparing for litigation—both require discipline, endurance, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges. His dedication to personal growth extends into his legal practice, where he has evolved from a litigation-heavy focus to a more holistic role in business and estate planning, helping clients navigate succession planning and long-term financial security.

Brian explains how Kemp Klein prioritizes succession planning for businesses and individuals, working to prevent legal disputes before they arise. He emphasizes the firm's commitment to client service, ensuring that business owners, families, and individuals have comprehensive legal strategies in place.

As we recently celebrated Kemp Klein’s 55th anniversary, Brian reflects on the firm's history and its strong sense of community. He also discusses the Kemp Klein Foundation, its charitable initiatives, and the success of the annual golf outing, which raised over $30,000 for Forgotten Harvest.

Throughout our conversation, Brian’s leadership philosophy becomes clear—he values collaboration, preparation, and a positive outlook. His ability to balance firm leadership with a thriving legal practice underscores his dedication to both the firm's legacy and its future.

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we spotlight a rising star at Kemp Klein.

More info on the Kemp Klein Law Firm can be found at https://kkue.com/

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In this episode of Pro Bono, we sit down with Alan May, a highly respected attorney and public servant whose decades-long career is marked by dedication to the law, mentorship, and community service. Ed Nahhat hosts the conversation, celebrating May as both a legal hero and a mentor. For this episode, Ed has requested a bell in the event he becomes too "obsequious."

Alan shares the unique path of his career, beginning with his partnership with his father in their firm, May and May, and leading to 24 years at Kemp Klein. He reflects on his time serving on Michigan’s Civil Rights Commission under two governors from different parties, emphasizing how bipartisan collaboration shaped his perspective on civil service. He discusses his legal writings, which distill appellate court decisions into actionable insights for probate practitioners. These articles serve not only as practical guides but also as tools for ongoing learning and mentorship.

A key theme of the conversation is May’s dedication to helping underserved populations. He recounts how his team manages guardianships and conservatorships for over 200 clients, ranging from the wealthy to those in financial need. His commitment to taking difficult cases—often at a financial loss—reflects a broader philosophy of legal service as a way to give back.

May also touches on the challenges and nuances of probate law, including the complexities of trust disputes and the legal presumption of undue influence. He defends the necessity of this presumption, sharing a personal anecdote to illustrate its importance in protecting vulnerable individuals. He highlights the collaborative nature of probate litigation, where lawyers often work toward resolutions that benefit others, even while advocating for their clients.

Beyond the law, May reveals his passions for writing fiction, with three published novels and more in progress, and for baseball, where his deep knowledge of the sport enriches his legal and personal writings. He attributes much of his success to teamwork, his supportive family, and the joy of mentoring young lawyers, some of whom have gone on to become judges.

The conversation concludes on a personal note, with May sharing his pride in his family, his evolving work-life balance, and his gratitude for a career filled with meaningful connections and achievements.

More info on the Kemp Klein Law Firm can be found at https://kkue.com/

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In our first episode of "Pro Bono with Ed Nahhat," we were thrilled to host Kemp Klein's Joe Buttiglieri, an esteemed lawyer with an impressive 48 years of legal experience. Our conversation spanned various aspects of Joe's career, his approach to law, and the significant changes he's witnessed in the legal profession.

Joe marked the beginning of his career back in November 1976, a time before the widespread use of the internet and email. He reminisced about the early days when communication was primarily through phone calls and letters, and how the advent of technologies like photocopiers was a big deal. Reflecting on these changes, Joe emphasized the importance of continual learning and adapting to maintain relevance and engagement in legal practice. His early involvement with the Institute for Continuing Legal Education was a pivotal element that kept his career fresh by requiring him to stay updated and knowledgeable about varying legal topics.

An interesting segment of our discussion highlighted Joe's role as a mediator, a skill he has honed over the years, characterized by his strong ethos of treating everyone with the respect they deserve. This approach, he believes, has been crucial not only in litigation but also in effective mediation. Joe attributes his success in building a good rapport with both colleagues and adversaries to the foundational values instilled by his parents—treating others as one would like to be treated, irrespective of the adversarial nature of legal disputes.

We also delved into Joe's legal philosophy and his motivation for pursuing a career in law. He shared his views on the law as a tool for maintaining a civil society, especially poignant given his formative years during the 1960s—a time marked by significant social and political upheaval. Joe expressed a deep commitment to resolving conflicts through legal means rather than violence, highlighting his belief in the power of the law to foster a civilized society.

Finally, Joe touched on his courtroom experiences and the personal connections that have become rarer in the age of digital communication and remote hearings. He reminisced about the benefits of direct interactions with clients and colleagues, which have been somewhat diminished by the convenience but impersonal nature of video conferencing tools like Zoom.

Our discussion not only shed light on Joe's extensive career and legal insights but also offered valuable lessons on adaptability, respect, and the enduring importance of personal integrity in the practice of law.

Link: Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) http://www.icle.org/

More info on the Kemp Klein Law Firm can be found at https://kkue.com/

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