Brian L. Champion is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia in Washington D.C. He is also admitted to The First Circuit Court of Appeals and The United States Supreme Court.
Trusts & Estates: Mr. Champion believes that the caring for one’s family and loved ones begins with careful and thoughtful planning. Besides planning for one’s death, careful planning includes advanced preparation for periods of potential incapacity, whether caused by an accident, disease or illness. The best way for one to do so is to have in place, at a minimum, a will, a durable power of attorney, and a health care directive or proxy. Mr. Champion works closely with clients to understand their concerns, thoughts, and desires so that the client and their families are prepared to meet life’s challenges. Mr. Champion represents individuals, trustees, and personal representatives in the administration of trusts and estates. He is also a member of the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine Trust & Estate Bar Sections.
Elder Law: Mr. Champion is a member of NAELA, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. With a fast-growing Senior population, many find themselves ill-equipped to address important and necessary legal issues. These issues often include needing a Will, or updating an old Will that no longer suits one’s needs. Also, many discover that they have not planned ahead to have someone named to help with things like paying their bills, or monitoring their bank account statements. This issue can easily be corrected by drawing up a Durable Power of Attorney, whereby a named agent can be authorized to act in place of the client. Lastly, all too often Seniors find themselves without someone designated to make health care and medical decisions for them, when they may not be capable of making them on their own. This problem is also easily solved ahead of time, by having drawn up a Medical Healthcare Proxy, or Health Care Directive.
Mr. Champion can assist Seniors with all of these important issues. He does so by working closely with the client and listening carefully to their wishes. He then draws up the necessary documents, explains them to the client, and then has them property signed, witnessed, and notarized.
Mr. Champion and Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion take pride in assisting our clients, including Seniors, by working through all of these issues with them, and by providing personalized and specialized attention to each and every client. We are a unique law firm in that we truly do care for each and every one of our clients.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Author, Where There’s a Way – There’s a Will (June 2020)
- Author, “Don’t Let the Tail of the Increased Federal Exemption Wag the Estate Planning Dog,” New Hampshire Bar News, Vol 28, No. 10 (March 2018)
- Lecturer, “Estate Planning and Administration – Probate Process,” NBI Seminar, Portland, ME (December 2017)
- Author, “Longer Living Seniors Means Thoughtful Planning Now!” (May 2016)
BAR ADMISSIONS
STATE COURTS
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
District of Columbia Court of Appeals (Washington, D. C.)
FEDERAL COURTS
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
District of Columbia (Washington, D. C.)
First Circuit Court of Appeals (Boston, MA.)
United States Supreme Court (Washington, D. C.)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Maine Bar Association
Fellow, Maine Bar Foundation
New Hampshire Bar Association
New Hampshire Bar Association, Trust & Estate Section
Massachusetts Bar Association
Boston Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar Association
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
EDUCATION
University of Maine, with Distinction and with Honors (B. A.)
University of New Hampshire School of Law (J. D.)
COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE
Former Treasurer and member of the Board of Directors, Kennebunk Land Trust
Former member of the Board of Trustees, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maine Chapter
Organizer of the MS Harborfest Sailing Regatta, Tugboat and Lobster Boat Races, and charity events, Casco Bay, Maine
Sponsor, Mary’s Walk, Maine Cancer Foundation
Former 20-Year Member, Portland Yacht Club (PYC)
HONORS
Marion Austin Barrows Memorial Award, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maine Chapter
Exceptional Service Award, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Maine Chapter
Fellow Maine Bar Foundation
MILITARY