George F. Bearup joins Greenleaf Trust as Senior Trust Advisor

February 2, 2016, Kalamazoo, Michigan – One of the Michigan’s most prominent trust and estate attorneys, George F. Bearup, is bringing his considerable expertise to wealth management firm, Greenleaf Trust, where he’ll serve as senior trust advisor.

Mr. Bearup has practiced law in Michigan for over three decades, during which time he’s risen to prominence in the field of trusts, estate and retirement planning. He received his B.A. at the University of Michigan, and earned his J.D. at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel: a national organization of trust and estate counselors who have demonstrated the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience.

A resident of Traverse City, Mr. Bearup is a frequent speaker and moderator for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education seminars, including the Annual Drafting Estate Planning Documents Seminar and Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute. He has written numerous articles on divorce, probate trusts, and estate planning, and is a chapter author and former co-editor of the “Michigan Revocable Grantor Trusts” (ICLE 2d and 3d eds). For his expertise in trusts, he has been listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” for over 20 years, is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been named a “Michigan Super Lawyer” since 2006.

“As Senior Trust Advisor, George’s formidable expertise in trusts and estate planning will be an enormously beneficial resource to Greenleaf Trust clients and their other trusted tax and legal advisors,” said Michael F. Odar, President of Greenleaf Trust. “George will mentor Greenleaf Trust team members and share his expertise in estate, fiduciary and tax law. We are delighted that he’s joining us.”
Mr. Bearup joins Greenleaf Trust from Smith, Haughey, Rice & Rogue, Attorneys at Law, where he was a founding member of the firm’s Traverse City office. He begins his official position with Greenleaf Trust on February 1, 2016.