Fred J. Bernhardt Jr.

Senior Counsel

While Fred Bernhardt is transitioning away from the practice of law, he remains with the firm as Senior Counsel. In this role, he advises attorneys at the firm in Estate Planning and Administration, Business Law, and Real Estate matters. Fred has been with the firm since 1968.

Military Service

U. S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General, Major, 1968 to 1980

Work Experience

Estate Planning
- Planning for family wealth transfers, including such techniques as:
  - Credit shelter trusts
  - Revocable and irrevocable trusts
  - Crummey trusts
  - Family limited liability companies and partnerships
  - Special needs trusts
  - Generation-skipping trusts
  - Charitable remainder trusts
  - Private foundations
  - Qualified personal residence trusts

Business Law
- Advising business clients regarding:
  - Sale and acquisition of assets and stocks
  - Retirement planning
  - Business succession planning

Commercial Real Estate
- Advising commercial developers and others regarding:
  - Acquisition, development and financing of shopping centers, office buildings and mixed use developments
  - Selection of entity for real estate acquisition and development, including tax ramifications
  - Restructuring real estate-based financings

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Virginia Super Lawyers magazine, “The Top Attorneys in Virginia,” Estate Planning & Probate, 2006, 2007, 2012 – 2018
Virginia Business magazine, “Legal Elite,” Taxes/Estates/Trusts, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2022; Taxes/Estates/Trusts/Elder Law, 2012 – 2018
Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory – AV (highest) rating

EDUCATION

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, B.S., Business, 1965
University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1968

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

Member
- Virginia Bar Association
- Virginia State Bar
- Richmond Bar Association
- Trust Administrators Council of Richmond
  - Former President
- Private Business Study Group of Richmond
- Estate Planning Council of Richmond

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Episcopal Church of the Redeemer

Finance Committee
Past Senior Warden
Past Junior Warden
Past Vestry Member
Past Foundation President