11th Annual Closely Held & Family Business Update 2026

  • In-person seminar
  • Webcast seminar
  • Attorney Regulation
  • Business Law
Up to 6.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
11th Annual Closely Held & Family Business Update 2026

Advise your business owner clients effectively

Representing a closely held or family-owned business requires an understanding of multiple areas of law. Receive guidance on the issues facing these businesses today, including practical use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency and ethical considerations in advising business owner clients. This year, we are recognizing the contributions of solo practitioners and small firms while providing valuable insights for attorneys at firms of all sizes.

8:30 am
Updates & New Developments (CLE)

Gregory F. Monday, David G. Palay

9:20 am
Tax Considerations in Choice of Entity (CLE)

Steve Pullara

  • Overview of entity types and choice-of-entity frameworks
  • Discussion of eligibility and ownership rules
  • Review key tax considerations
10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
The Intersection of Owners Agreements and Estate Plans (CLE)

Steve Pullara

11:15 am
Title: What's New in Life Insurance: Practical Applications for Closely Held and Family Businesses (CLE)

Tate Groome

  • Private equity is making waves in the life insurance marketplace – how do you advise your clients with PE backed policies?
  • Reengineering older Whole Life policies for business owners: Income Distributions, 1035 Exchanges, Annuitization and Long-Term Care.
  • Connelly, Buy-Sell arrangements and key-person coverage in closely held businesses.
  • Addressing the Bypassed Spouse in family businesses with closely held stock
  • Lifetime premiums vs. Short-Pay premiums: a look at Internal Rates of Return (IRR)
12:05 pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:05 pm
Panel: How to Use AI Effectively (LPM)

Moderator: Julie M. Bogle Panelists: Brent Hoeft, Fatimeh D. Pahlavan, Sam Wayne

2:20 pm
Break
2:35 pm
Interactive Ethics and Attorney Competence (EPR)

Gregory Monday, David G. Palay, Timothy J. Pierce

3:25 pm
Program Concludes

Chairs and Presenters

8 total
Julie M. Bogle, Program Chair
BDO USA LLP · Madison
Gregory M. Monday, Program Chair
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C. · Madison
G. Tate Groome
Colton Groome Insurance Advisors · Asheville, NC
Fatimeh D. Pahlavan
Ogden Glazer & Schaefer · Madison
Timothy J. Pierce
State Bar of Wisconsin · Madison
David G. Palay
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, S.C. · Madison
Steve Pullara
BDO USA LLP · Madison
Sam Wayne
Wayne Law S.C. · Madison

  • Evaluate the tax implications of entity selection and how they impact business planning and succession strategies
  • Understand how owners' agreements, estate plans, and life insurance can work together to support business continuity and client goals
  • Explore practical ways to use AI to improve efficiency, client service, and legal practice
  • Familiarize yourself with emerging legal developments and trends that may impact your family and closely held business owner clients
  • Business lawyers
  • Labor and employment lawyers
  • Solo and small firm practitioners
  • General practitioners
  • Estate planning lawyers
  • Family lawyers

Book Bonus!

Closely Held Businesses: A Guide from Eckhardt's Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners

Save 25% on Closely Held Businesses: A Guide from Eckhardt's Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners.* Guide your clients through the moving parts of owning closely held businesses: entity form, transfer to the next generation, buy-sell agreements, transfer restrictions, and postmortem tax planning. Use discount code CA3983 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound® editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

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