Thomas Bayles, '97, Discusses Estate Planning

Thomas Bayles, '97, was hosted by the Business and Transactional Law Center (BTLC), the Tax and Estate Planning Association, and the Business Law Society on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Bayles is a partner at the Utah-based firm JensenBayles LLP and his career has centered around estate planning and transactional work.

Bayles provided an abundance of practical advice. He gave insight into billing time, performing conflicts checks, and the aid of software within a law firm. Bayles encouraged new attorneys not to feel bad for charging clients, highlighting the fact that attorneys are helping people and have their own lives and families to support. He also discussed the steep learning curve involved in the practice of law, particularly in the first year after graduation.

Specific to the area of estate planning, Bayles pointed out that, although it may be morbid, everyone is a potential client because everyone is going to die. He encouraged people to act ethically and to do excellent work because referrals are the best source of new clients. He also discussed the benefits of networking and advertising.

Bayles discussed some of the unusual situations he has encountered during his work in estate planning. Throughout his presentation Bayles discussed the importance of ethics and he gave several examples where it might have been tempting to act unethically, even if only in small ways, had he not made a conscious decision at the start of his career to always do the right thing.

Washburn Law is grateful to Thomas Bayles for taking the time out of his busy schedule to share his insight with students.