Join the Phoenix Area Alumni Chapter for a Speaker Series Event
When: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:30PM 
(open networking from 5:30 to 6:00PM, presentation to begin at 6:00PM)
appetizers provided.
Where: Forakis Law Firm, 346 E. Palm Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Topic: Estate Planning 101
RSVP: If you plan to attend, Andrea Flores at flores327@aol.com
Abstract:
In the event of an emergency, would your family know how to make legal, medical, financial and funeral decisions for you?
Would your family members disagree on those decisions, causing family discord while everyone should be focused on healing or grieving?
Who are the designated guardians for your children?
Will your assets be frozen in probate for months leaving your family without access to that financial support?
Will your business continue to provide support to your family without you?
How much estate tax will you owe and can you avoid estate tax entirely?
Speaker Bios:
Jessica Gush joins the Forakis team after completing her Masters in Taxation at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. and her J.D. at Pace University School of Law in New York. While attending Pace Law, Jessica clerked for the Honorable Judge J. La Cava at the New York State Tax Certiorari Court and worked for the IRS Large and Mid-Size Business Division of the Manhattan Office of the Chief Counsel.
Jessica grew up in New York and first moved to Arizona to attend the University of Arizona as an undergraduate. While she was at the U of A, her parents and sister also moved to Arizona. Although Jessica enjoyed living in NYC, DC, and Dublin, she is excited to be back in Arizona and near her family again. Jessica is an avid tennis player and runner. As a member of the Forakis team, Jessica is committed to providing the highest quality estate and tax planning services to her clients.
Christine Goodson Forakis is a fourth generation Arizona native who is the founding and managing member of The Forakis Law Firm, PLC. Her family has been practicing estate planning in Arizona for two generations. She has over 19 years of experience in her field. Her firm specializes in estate planning, business law, asset protection, probate, succession planning, non-profit, guardianship, and tax planning. She represent some of the wealthiest families in Arizona including, athletes, politicians, farmers, business owners, and non-profit corporations.
Christine is a member of the Arizona Bar Association, Section of Trusts and Estates. She is also a member of the Florida Bar. In the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Christine clerked under the Honorable Ungaro-Benages and was a Judicial Clerkship Scholarship recipient, one of two selected to receive a Judicial Stipend in Dade County, Florida in 1991. Christine received her Juris Doctor degree in May, 1992 from the University Of Miami School Of Law. During law school, she was elected to offices on two Law Reviews. She was Research and Writing Editor of Entertainment and Sports Law Review and Articles and Comments Editor of Business Law Journal. She has written numerous articles on estate and business planning.
Christine’s family has a long history in Arizona. Her great grandfather, Dr. F.G. Angeny, founded the Deaconess Hospital, which later became Good Samaritan Hospital. Her grandfather, J. Melvin Goodson, served as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Arizona, ran for governor of the state, and retired as President and Chairman of the Board of Arizona Refining Company. Her father, John F. Goodson is a pre-eminent estate planning attorney. Christine’s charitable endeavors include being on the Board of Directors for Mingus Mountain Estate Residential Center, Inc. (MMERCI) for over 16 years. MMERCI is a residential treatment center for emotionally and behaviorally at-risk adolescent girls. Christine has also formed numerous foundations and non-profit corporations for her clients.
Christine received her black belt in Shotokan Karate and has received numerous awards such as Western State’s Champion, National Champion in Kata, and numerous others. She competed nationally and travelled internationally with her team. Christine lives in Mesa and has two children and three step children. Her husband, former vice president of operations for Coca Cola Enterprises, now has his own packaging and screen printing business.
