ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL OF ST. LOUIS

Title: 2026 New Developments and Planning Ideas  

Date: Monday, January 26, 2026

Time: 11:45am - 2:15pm (extended session)

Location: Saint Louis Club 7676 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, MO 63105

Speaker: Elliot Dole, Steve Gorin, John Scott, Michael Tessler, (Moderator) Kathleen Bilderback

About the presentation: This course will review recent changes and updates in the law (including case law, Treasury Regulations, and IRS pronouncements) and provide attendees with practical planning ideas resulting from them.

Continuing Education 120 minutes 

EPCSTL has requested approval for continuing education in the following areas: CTFA, CLE, CPE, CFP  

CPE Information for CPAs CE in person only! 

The sponsor assures that the program content and program level is appropriate for the intended participants.

Participants will: 

CPE Learning Objectives:

The attendee will:

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe key federal tax law developments from the past year, including authoritative guidance and court decisions.
• Analyze the impact of new regulations and IRS pronouncements on estate, gift, and income tax planning techniques.
• Determine appropriate planning responses to regulatory changes and evolving IRS enforcement priorities.
• Assess how recent developments may affect tax reporting, compliance obligations, and documentation requirements.
• Formulate practical planning recommendations based on current legal and administrative trends.

The sponsor assures that the program content and program level is appropriate for the intended participants.

Participants will earn 2 CPE credit. 

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge 

Additional Information:

Delivery Method: Group Live/Group Internet Based

Program Level: Basic

Pre-requisite: NONE 

Who should attend: This presentation is aimed at lawyers, accountants, trust officers and other estate planning professionals?

Refunds and Cancellations: All attendees are required to register in advance.  If you reserve and are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation at least 3 working days in advance of the meeting to receive a refund or a credit for a future meeting. For more information regarding refund, complaint, and/or program cancellation policies please contact our offices at 314-520-3564.

Estate Planning Council of St. Louis is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

National Registry of CPE Sponsors Number 109467

​CTFA

CTFA 2.50 CE credit 

CFP Learning Objectives:

The attendee will: 

• Describe key federal tax law developments from the past year, including authoritative guidance and court decisions.
• Analyze the impact of new regulations and IRS pronouncements on estate, gift, and income tax planning techniques.
• Determine appropriate planning responses to regulatory changes and evolving IRS enforcement priorities.
• Assess how recent developments may affect tax reporting, compliance obligations, and documentation requirements.
• Formulate practical planning recommendations based on current legal and administrative trends.

​

Speaker Bios:

Kathleen W. Bilderback specializes in estate, business, and executive benefits planning, as well as estate and executive compensation planning with life insurance. She previously served in the Advanced Markets Group at MetLife, providing training and advanced underwriting support for top producers. Prior to joining GenAmerica Financial (a MetLife company) in 1996, Kathleen was in private practice.

Elliot Dole is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, guiding clients through comprehensive financial, tax, and estate planning to achieve their long-term goals. He partners with high-net-worth families and business owners—as well as their advisory teams—to build and manage tax-efficient investment strategies. Elliot’s primary areas of focus include legacy planning and income tax management, with an emphasis on simplifying complex decisions for clients.

Steven B. Gorin is a partner at Thompson Coburn LLP, where he practices trust and estate law and helps owners structure closely held businesses. Steve has practiced law for over 30 years and practiced accounting for eight years prior to that. He is a member of the Business Planning Committee and Chair of the Employee Benefits Committee of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and Chair of the Committee on Governmental Submissions for the ABA’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section. He was inducted into the NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame® in 2020.

John Scott is a partner in AMD’s Tax Services Group and is active in the Manufacturing and Distribution Services and Family Wealth and Estate Planning specialties. He brings dedicated resources and critical thinking to complex issues across manufacturing, hospitality, gaming, and professional services. John also works extensively with individuals, families, law firms, and business owners on estate planning matters.

Michael Tessler is the President of BUI, where he has devoted decades to leading the firm with an unwavering commitment to excellence in client service. Under his leadership, BUI has built a reputation for providing top-tier support to financial and insurance advisors, offering objective, multi-carrier solutions that simplify everything from everyday term cases to sophisticated estate and business planning strategies.

Michael’s client-first philosophy is the foundation of BUI’s core values, shaping the firm’s approach to every interaction and ensuring that advisors and their clients receive best-in-class service. His leadership drives a culture of integrity, expertise, and exceptional service throughout the organization.

Michael has held numerous leadership roles within the industry, including serving as past president of NAIFA St. Louis and LIFE, Inc., as well as past board member of NAIFA Missouri, LifeMark Partners (now LIBRA), the International Hispanic Insurance Association (IAHIP), and the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA), where he also served as chairman of the board. Additionally, he was a board member of the L.I.F.E. Foundation and is currently a member of the Legacy Advisory Council at Missouri Baptist Hospital. His insights have been featured in multiple industry and financial publications.

Beyond his professional achievements, he is an avid tennis player, committed to regular exercise, and a proud husband and father of two sons—one of whom is part of the BUI team and the other a student at the University of Miami.