“One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is helping families plan in advance to deal with healthcare needs as they age in the most tax efficient manner.”
Edward A. Brown, “Ted”, is a Partner with Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates. He became interested in elder law as a result of his personal experience acting as the executor for his grandfather’s estate. Ted joined the firm to translate the lessons he learned from this difficult experience into action by assisting his clients through the trust and estate planning process.
Attorney Brown works closely with the firm’s senior team to develop estate planning strategies designed to protect and preserve the assets of Ohio families. Having previously led the firm’s estate and probate administration team, Ted is now a partner focusing on the firm’s healthcare and tax planning strategies. He regularly works with clients who have family farms or businesses to develop a comprehensive strategy to incorporate those entities into their estate and asset protection plan.
Ted is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section. He is a frequent speaker for groups around Ohio about trust and estate planning strategies. Ted is also a contributing author to Over the Hill and Under Obamacare. Attorney Brown is among a select group of attorneys in the State of Ohio who have been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals For Veterans Claims in addition to receiving accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Born and raised in the Cincinnati area, Attorney Brown received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Xavier University and obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. After joining Cooper, Adel & Associates in 2011, Ted was promoted to Senior Associate Attorney in 2013, and to partner in 2019 recognizing his outstanding client service and contributions to the firm. Ted is the recipient of an AVVO Client’s Choice Award and was recognized in 2018 by the American
In his spare time, Ted is a weekend home improvement warrior, volunteers as a Traffic Operations Consultant for the Mariemont Police Department and is collector of vintage road signs. Ted is an American history buff and often writes blogs for the firm’s website about veteran’s contributions, such as those of his grandfather, Lt. Colonel William F. Brown, who survived behind enemy lines during the Korean Conflict.
Ted’s wife is also an attorney. They have two sons who are very active toddlers. Ted is also an avid Xavier Basketball and Cincinnati Bengals fan.
Interview
Where did you grow up?
Twenty minutes east of downtown Cincinnati in Mariemont, Ohio
Why did you decide to become an attorney?
After experiencing the short-comings of conventional, “simple will” based estate planning first hand and the damage it caused to relationships within my family, I wanted to help other families have a better experience and endeavored to learn the methods and strategies to implement more effective estate and asset protection planning.
Why do you love your job?
When I meet with a client and they say “wow, you have really eased my mind” or “thank you for such a clear explanation”,
I enjoy starting a meeting where I can tell that a client is very unclear or even apprehensive of the recommendations that have been made and concluding the meeting having fully explained all of the components involved not only in a manner that they understand, but that gives them a sense of confidence and peace of mind that they have come to the right place.
Why do you love about helping the people of Ohio?
I enjoy helping clients explore ideas and options that they had previously never thought about and incorporating those ideas into a well-rounded legal, financial and tax focused estate plan. Having been born and raised in Ohio and having lived, worked and traveled to all four corners of the State, I am honored to work with the people of Ohio and provide the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have put a plan in place that will ensure that your family remains intact and as functional as possible after your death.
Why Cooper, Adel, Vu?
I appreciate the fact that we don’t try to be all things to all people. We know Estate and Elder Law planning and seek to continually improve our base of knowledge but don’t give advice for other areas such divorce or bankruptcy.
What should clients know about you?
I consider myself a literal and down-to-earth person who is very detail-oriented. I am also an organized person, meticulous to a fault. These traits are very helpful to me as a lawyer, because a large part of my job is to take what begins as concept, or theory and form that into something that is real, tangible and actually does what it is meant to do.
Favorite Quotes
“The sea was angry that day, my friends, like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.”
George Costanza
“Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man.”
John F. Kennedy