Attorneys' Profiles

Bryan Howard

Bryan Howard is a co-founding member of Howard & Mobley, PLLC. Bryan assists families whose net worth exceeds $10 million with wealth transfer planning, tax reduction planning, charitable giving and asset protection planning. He also advises the owners of closely-held businesses with respect to tax and business succession issues and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries with regard to trust and estate administration and litigation issues. 

Bryan is certified as an Estate Planning Specialist in Tennessee.  Bryan is listed in the Best Lawyers in America (2001-2010 editions) in both the Tax and Trusts and Estates categories, has been selected as one of the top 100 Lawyers in the U.S. by Worth Magazine, one of the best lawyers in Tennessee by Business Tennessee magazine and one of the Best Lawyers in Tax Law by Corporate Counsel magazine.  Bryan has the AV rating (highest available) for ethical standards and legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review ratings system. 

Bryan frequently lectures and writes on estate planning and taxation topics. Recent articles include: “Fixing Broken Trusts: The Uniform Trust Code and Other Tools” published in the Journal of Taxation of Investments in 2008; “Asset Protection Trusts Come to Tennessee” published in the Tennessee Banker in 2007; “Trust Planning In An Uncertain Estate Tax Environment” presented to the 57th Annual Tennessee Federal Tax Institute in 2006; and “Installment Sales Involving Non-Grantor Trusts” published in Estate Planning in 2005.

Education

Professional Activities

  • Fellow and Tennessee State Chairman, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Numerous legislative activities, including, principal draftsman of the Tennessee Investment Services Trust Act of 2007 and the Tennessee Community Property Trust Act of 2010, a Member of Committee which drafted the Tennessee Uniform Trust Code (2004 and 2007) and Member of Tennessee Bar Association’s Probate Study Committee, which reviews and recommends legislation involving trusts and estates in Tennessee
  • Former Chairman (1994 & 2006), Estate Planning Committee, Nashville Bar Association
  • Former Chairman (2004), Tax Committee, Nashville Bar Association

Civic and Other Activities

  • Board Member and Former President, Guardianship and Trust Corporation of Tennessee
  • Trustee and Former President, Tennessee Federal Tax Institute
  • YMCA Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Member of Professional Advisory Committee
  • Nashville Symphony - Member of Legacy Advisory Council
  • Nashville Opera - Planning Giving Advisory Group

Jeff Mobley

Jeff Mobley is a member of Howard & Mobley, PLLC and concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, tax planning for estates and trusts, business succession planning, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, estate administration, resolution of disputes involving estates, and related real estate matters.

Jeff is certified as an Estate Planning Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. Jeff is listed in the The Best Lawyers in America (2001-2010 editions) and Mid-South Super Lawyers (2005-2010 editions). Jeff has the AV rating (highest rating) for ethical standards and legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review ratings system.

Jeff is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Jeff has served as President of the Nashville Estate Planning Council and as Chair of the Probate Court Committee of the Nashville Bar Association.

Jeff is a co-author of Pritchard on the Laws of Wills and Administration of Estates (7th Ed. 2009), a three-volume treatise on the laws pertaining to wills and probate in Tennessee. Pritchard is frequently cited by Tennessee Courts in rulings and opinions.

Jeff was listed as one of the top lawyers in Tennessee by Business Tennessee magazine (Jan/Feb 2010), one of only 8 attorneys listed as tops statewide in the area of Trusts & Estates. Jeff was listed as one of the top lawyers in Nashville by Nashville Post magazine (Jan/Feb 2011), one of only 5 attorneys listed as tops citywide in the area of Trusts & Estates.

Education

Professional Activities

  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
  • Member, Nashville, Tennessee and American Bar Associations.
  • Member and former President, Nashville Estate Planning Council.
  • Member and former Chair, Probate Court Committee, Nashville Bar Association.
  • Certified as Estate Planning Specialist, National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.
  • Certified as Estate Planning Specialist, Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization.
  • Frequent speaker to attorneys, estate planning professionals and laypersons concerning wills, trusts and related matters.
  • Licensed to practice in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Stephanie J. Edwards

Stephanie J. Edwards is an attorney with Howard & Mobley, PLLC and concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, related business and tax matters, estate administration, and advising fiduciaries with respect to trust and administration issues. 

Stephanie’s previous experience includes serving as the Trust Team Leader for the State of Tennessee for Bank of America, N.A.  Prior to joining Bank of America, she was a Member in the firm of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, PLLC. 

Stephanie is the President of the Estate Planning Council of Middle Tennessee and is active in the Nashville, Tennessee and American Bar Associations. 

Education

Professional Activities

Paul C. Hayes

Paul Hayes is a partner and tax attorney with Howard & Mobley, PLLC, a boutique law firm which limits its practice to the tax, trusts and estates, and litigation practice areas. His practice includes:

  • Assisting high-net-worth individuals and families in the areas of estate planning, tax planning, multigenerational gift planning, charitable giving, and asset protection planning
  • Advising owners of closely held businesses on succession planning and general tax (state and federal), operational and business law matters
  • Representing estates for administration, including preparation of estate, inheritance, gift and other fiduciary tax returns, as well as for tax audits or other controversies
  • Representing trustees and beneficiaries concerning trust and estate administration matters
  • Creating and advising private foundations and other charities.

Mr. Hayes is licensed as a CPA and is a certified financial planner. His prior work experience includes being a partner in the tax group of Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis, LLP, part of the National Tax Consulting Practice of Ernst & Young, LLP working with high-net-worth families, as well as a principal in a regional accounting firm's tax consulting and personal financial planning practice.

Mr. Hayes is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2010 – 2011 editions) for his work in the areas of tax law and trusts and estates. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He has received an AV Preeminent rating for ethical standards and legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell. He actively participates in the drafting and review of proposed legislation as the Chair for the Legislative Committee of the Executive Council of the Tennessee Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Section. Mr. Hayes also is a frequent speaker on topics in his practice areas for the Nashville and Tennessee Bar Associations.

Professional Activities

  • Member (Chair 2007, 2008), Nashville Bar Association Estate Planning Committee
  • Member (Chair 2006), Executive Council of the Tennessee Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Section
  • Chair, (2007-2011) Legislative Committee for the Executive Council of the Tennessee Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Section>
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • Member, Nashville Symphony Legacy Advisory Council
  • Member, Nashville, Tennessee, Kentucky and American Bar Associations, including committee memberships
  • Director, Nashville Estate Planning Council
  • Member, Tennessee and Kentucky Society of CPAs
  • Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Director and Treasurer, Guardianship and Trusts Corporation, a nonprofit corporation

Professional Licenses

  • Attorney at Law, Tennessee
  • Attorney at Law, Kentucky
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Certified Financial Planner

Education

  • J.D., with high honors, Memphis State University, 1993
  • B.A., summa cum laude, Murray State University, 1990

Paul Gontarek

Paul Gontarek is a member of Howard & Mobley, PLLC and concentrates his practice in the area of trust and estate litigation as well as probate and trust administration. His principal clients include financial institutions and fiduciaries (both corporate and individual), as well as families, individuals, charities or other entities that are beneficiaries of trusts and estates. He also represents creditors in actions against estates and trusts.

Over the past eleven years, Mr. Gontarek has represented multiple banking institutions and trust companies in lawsuits alleging breach of fiduciary duty related to the management and administration of a trust and/or estate. Mr. Gontarek’s trust and estate experience also includes the representation of families, individuals, charities and other entities in will contests; court actions to clarify, interpret or refine specific provisions of wills and trusts; requests to the court on behalf of trustees for instruction and direction; litigation to terminate or reorganize trust instruments; litigation to nullify lifetime transfers because of undue influence; elective share litigation; and litigation to settle distributive rights to beneficiaries in both trust and estate settings.

Additionally, Mr. Gontarek provides representation to families and individuals seeking to obtain conservatorships or guardianships over disabled individuals.

While at his former firm, Mr. Gontarek was part of a team of attorneys that successfully represented the State of Tennessee in its efforts to return the $100 million Maddox Foundation to Tennessee after its controversial move to Mississippi. The Maddox Foundation case involved litigation in trial and appellate courts in three states and garnered extensive media attention, including coverage in the New York Times.

Other representative cases in which Mr. Gontarek served as trial counsel:

  • State of Tennessee, ex rel Working v. Robin G Costa and Maddox Foundation, 216 S.W. 3d 758 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2006)
  • In Re Estate of Grass, 2008 WL 2343068, (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008)

Professional Activities

  • Chair, Probate Court Committee, Nashville Bar Association, 2008 to present
  • Member, Probate Court Committee, Tennessee Bar Association, 2007 to present
  • Member, Tennessee Bar Journal Editorial Board, 2010 to present
  • Member, Nashville and Tennessee Bar Associations
  • Graduate, Leadership Law Program of the Tennessee Bar Association, 2004

Representative Speaking Engagements

  • FF&M Bank Estate and Trust Seminar, Self-Settled Asset Protection Trusts (May 2008)
  • 2008 Southeastern Banking Law Seminar, Fiduciary Liability in the Administration of Trusts and Estates (August 2008)
  • Tennessee Bankers Association, Trust and Wealth Management Conference, Fiduciary Considerations in the Administration of Trusts (October 2008)
  • TrustCore Annual CPA Seminar, The Planning and Administration of Trusts (November 2008)
  • Probate and Estate Planning Conference, Nashville School of Law, Conflicts of Interest in Estate Planning and Probate Administration (May 2009)
  • National Association of Legal Investigators, Probate Investigations (June 2009)
  • Tennessee Bankers Association, Trust and Wealth Management Conference, Conflicts of Interest in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration (October 2010)
  • Nashville Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Institute, Recent Case Law Developments Pertaining to Estate Planning and Probate Practice (October 2010)

Civic and Other Activities

  • Past President, Secretary, General Counsel and Executive Committee Member, Outlook Nashville
  • Former Board Member and Executive Committee Member, First Steps. Inc.

Education

  • J.D., Vanderbilt University, 1999
  • B.BA., Baylor University. 1996

Professional Licenses

  • Tennessee

Court Admissions

  • Tennessee State Courts
  • United States District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee

Hunter Mobley

Hunter R. Mobley is an attorney at Howard & Mobley, PLLC. He concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate administration and charitable organization law. In addition to estate planning for individuals and families, Hunter advises churches, nonprofits and foundations in connection with tax planning, tax disputes and organizational governance. Hunter enjoys speaking to groups of any size about wealth transfer taxes and estate planning.

Professional Activities

  • Member of American, Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations
  • Member, Estate Planning Council of Middle Tennessee
  • Member, Estate Planning and Probate Committees of Nashville Bar Association

Education

  • LL.M. in Taxation, New York University School of Law
  • J.D., magna cum laude, University of Kentucky College of Law
    • Kentucky Law Journal
    • Faculty Cup for Outstanding Contributions to the Law School
    • CALI award for highest grade in Advanced Estate Planning
  • B.S., Davidson College

Anna E. Valentine

Anna E. Valentine is an attorney at Howard & Mobley, PLLC. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and estate administration. Anna has worked in various roles at Howard & Mobley since 2006 and has achieved a CPA designation.

Professional Activities

  • Member of American, Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations
  • Member, Estate Planning Council of Middle Tennessee
  • Member, Estate Planning and Probate Committees of Nashville Bar Association

Education

  • J.D., Nashville School of Law
    • Honorable Society of Cooper's Inn (for highest attainments in law school)
  • M.Acc., Belmont University
  • B.B.A., Economics with emphasis in Accounting, Belmont University


This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. [ Site Map ] [ Bookmark Us ]