The one constant in business and in life is change. Consequently, planning for change has never been more important, according to Randall D. Fisher, founder of the Fisher Law Office. Creating a business that will grow for generations or trying to protect a family as far as possible into the future requires a flexible road map to carry out your wishes. “Our goal is to help the client take care of the two most important things in their life—everything they own and everyone they love — by giving in-depth, individualized attention to each client. Our clients come to us with issues about business or their estates,” Fisher said. “We quickly find that when we are talking to them about one, we also are advising them about the other.” The Fisher Law Office works with estates from the individual senior citizen to the complex multi-family, and businesses from the brand new to the multi-million gross revenue. Fisher’s personal efforts in his role as Vice Chair of the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce have increased his understanding of the needs and concerns of area businesses. “Asset protection is a priority of many business owners, such as medical professionals who own their own practice, or retailers who put products in commerce. Both are concerned about being an attractive target for lawsuits.” Mr. Fisher works with clients to create a plan that insulates family assets and reduces risk of loss from a potential liability. “There are multiple options, from newly created husband and wife irrevocable trust choices here in Maryland to more complex domestic asset protection trusts in other states for higher wealth individuals. A successful asset protection plan can actually eliminate the threat of most lawsuits by removing the claimant’s economic incentive to sue. Maryland’s changing legal climate has also put stress on past planning. Recent legislative changes created tax and planning implications that make it crucial to keep plans current with ongoing changes in the law. Older estate plans were focused on estate taxes and could leave heirs exposed to unexpected income taxes. “Existing estate plans should be reviewed at least every three years, or sooner in some cases, to make sure the plan continues to reflect the client’s aims, and to make any adjustments that may be necessary due to changing laws,” Fisher said. Mr. Fisher is a member of Wealth Counsel, a national network of more than 1,800 estate and financial planning practitioners who collaborate to make sure changes in the law are understood and incorporated in their legal advice and documents. “Wealth Counsel provides a depth that allows my firm to stay small and personal while having big firm capabilities and expertise.” Mr. Fisher began practicing law in Washington, D.C., in 1988, and opened his Annapolis practice in 2004. Mr. Fisher holds the highest ratings for ethical standards and legal ability from Martindale-Hubbell, the legal profession’s leading peer review organization.
Year founded: 2004