The Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law shall take as its province the development and practical working of the law relating to real property in all its aspects and to decedents' and trust estates and guardianships.
P.A. Bylaws, Article VI, Section 657
Half Dirt, Half Death, A Podcast for Everyone: Trailer
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Death and Dirt RPPT Podcast
Featured Member: Michelle Ross
What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and how did you choose your specific practice area?
I have always wanted to help people. When I was little, I had wanted to be a teacher- but it turns out, my explanations are never concise or easy to follow, so that was quickly tossed out. My mom is now a retired cancer nurse, and my dad is now a retired dentist, so I had thought maybe something in the medical profession, like them. Turns out, I am horrible at math and science, teeth disgust me, and I am not emotionally equipped to handle half of what those amazing nurses’ face daily. From a very early age and then throughout my life, however, I became increasingly familiar with the guardianship system that allowed my mother to help my grandmother with decision making in times of illness, and I became fascinated with psychology and the intersection between the brain, behavior, and environment, as well as the corresponding interplay with mental health. So, armed with my undergraduate degree in psychology from Pitt, coupled with my grandfather’s disposition for writing (the one thing that I WAS good at), I decided on a career in law. While in law school, I was selected for Duquesne Law’s prestigious, competitive trial team. From that point on, I knew I was meant to be a litigator. After graduation, as I hopped between different litigation fields, the not-so-flashy transactional side of elder law and estates and trusts continuously “followed me.” It took a few years, but I ultimately discovered that I could combine the two and LITIGATE elder law and estates and trusts, i.e. practice fiduciary litigation which conveniently includes guardianships, in the Orphans’ Court. I eventually realized that this practice area is also relatively niche, making me and my ability to handle both the transactional and litigation aspects, extremely marketable. As a result, I joined Leech Tishman three years ago as a hybrid between the two departments and have been handling these matters for our clients ever since. And thanks to my relatively unique set of skills, I recently made partner and am now an equity member of the firm as well. I am grateful that I have now found, and am in fact living, my life’s calling at a firm that I can finally call home.
In what ways has your involvement with the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section benefited your professional development?
Back in 2018, my involvement with the YLD’s Bar Leadership Institute introduced me to Committee and Section Day and the PBA’s various committees and sections, including the RPPT Section. That experience was instrumental in facilitating my continued involvement with the PBA and the RPPT Section. This section has allowed me to connect and form or renew friendships with other professionals in my practice area, making reaching out to analyze or work through issues much less intimidating. It has also widened my ability to confidently practice in various counties across the Commonwealth, knowing that I can always reach out to another Section member for the answers to questions like “what does this court’s judge prefer in terms of procedure?”, or even something as trivial as “does this courthouse still require actual quarters for parking?” And the ability to send and receive referrals all across Pennsylvania has been a huge plus as well!
What advice would you give to young attorneys or law students just starting their legal careers?
Any time I go back to Duquesne or Pitt to speak to the students or when speaking with young attorneys, I always make it a point to tell them that you can, in fact, get a “C” in estates and trusts class, but then make a career out of it. Aka, your grades in law school do not define you. Of course, grades are important. But who you are as a person, your ability to work well with others as a team and check your ego at the door, and your work ethic and willingness to step up in times of need, those are the attributes of a successful lawyer. No amount of studying or “A” grades can make you into that. So, if you suddenly find yourself in the middle of the class instead of at the top where you’ve always been and like you had expected, you can still make it. I did.
What do you find most rewarding about your work as an attorney?
The ability to make a difference in the lives of my clients and their families has been my most rewarding part of being an attorney. Orphans’ Court practice and fiduciary litigation is highly emotionally charged, as these families are often trying to balance processing the loss of a loved one with winding up that person’s (typically disorganized) affairs, all while usually (sometimes, unexpectedly) fighting with siblings or other family members now that the matriarch or patriarch that once held the family together, is suddenly gone. Being able to empathize or at least appreciate what they are going through, while also counseling them through tragic times as the steady, objective source of reasoning they were lacking before I got involved, and then seeing the difference I was able to make for them as a result- that’s been the most rewarding part of it all.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you are not practicing law?
Spending time with my boyfriend, our two cats, and my friends and family. I also love traveling and all things outdoors - hiking, camping and backpacking, snowboarding, fishing, boating - anything where I get to spend time in nature and unplug from the chaos of this, although deeply rewarding, very demanding career.
Past Featured Members
Welcome to the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section! We are thrilled to have you engage with our vibrant Section! Whether you are new to our Section or a long-time member, we welcome you to share your passion for real property, probate, and trust law.
Our Section is dedicated to fostering professional growth, providing valuable resources, and offering a platform for insightful discussions and networking. I encourage you to join our active listservs , write an article for our newsletter, participate in our pro bono life planning clinic , listen to our Section’s “Death and Dirt” podcast, check out our Member Spotlight, attend an event , and add your thoughts and opinions to pending legislation impacting real property, probate, and trust law. Your active participation and engagement will not only enhance your professional development but also contribute to the collective knowledge and success of our community.
We look forward to your contributions and hope to see you at our upcoming events!
Glenn A. W. Thompson
Chair, Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
Pennsylvania Bar Association
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