Slugg and Associates, PLC

The ocean has always been a special place for my family.  Not only for the adventure found in the wild forces of nature, but also, and perhaps more so, for the bonding and fellowship that several generations of my family have experienced during our gatherings by the sea.  Whether it be fishing, scuba diving, surfing, or just sitting on the porch, eating, laughing, teasing or napping, I learned the importance of belonging to a family that looks out for each other’s best interests and welfare.

Because of this strong sense of family, as I grew and grappled with “what I want to be when I grow up”, I realized that no matter what my profession, I wanted to be able to help and support others.  That is why I chose the practice of law.

As many law students do, I got caught up in the thrill of “trying the case”, vigorously debating over turns of phrases and procedures, and “winning”.  Certainly, it was thrilling, but I soon realized that there was something missing.  Sure, it helps people to win their cases in court for them, but I didn’t have the sense that a “win”, in most cases, increased the value and meaning in the lives of my clients.

With this realization, I steered my firm away from litigation.  I wanted to get back to my original goal of helping my clients achieve a measure of peace, security and cohesiveness in their lives, just as the ocean and my family had done for me.

Today, my firm focuses in various areas of Estate Planning, as well as Real Estate law.  My clients are local business owners and professionals, who take an active role in their families and communities.

Through my experiences in Litigation and Bankruptcy work, I have witnessed firsthand some of the complications that people face in their daily lives and how they can impact the financial and personal plans they have for themselves and their families.  This experience was one of the motivators for me to transition to helping my neighbors, community members and business owners protect themselves from misfortune and to pass their assets, values and hopes to their children and their children’s children.

I have also helped thousands of clients buy, sell, lease and resolve problems with their real properties.  A part of my real estate practice has also been working with banks and owners through the foreclosure debacle we recently witnessed.  In addition, I have also been the exclusive private practice real estate counsel to the U.S. Marshals in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia for properties they have seized, forfeited and sold, the profits from which are poured back into keeping our streets a little safer on the federal, state and local levels.

In contrast to my real estate practice, which quickly reached its current state, my estate planning practice has been more of a “rising tide”.  Like most attorneys in their early years, I prepared “simple wills” and sometimes very basic trusts for clients.  Over time, with experience and with the changes in the estate tax laws, I realized that providing a simple “legal document” wasn’t enough.  Today’s families need “solutions” not “documents”.  Because of my strong belief that estate planning is an investment in, not only our client’s futures, but that of their children, grandchildren and businesses - I dedicated myself to taking my practice to the next level.

To that end, I have, among other things, become a member of Wealth Counsel™, which is a group of similarly dedicated Estate Planning Attorneys.  Through my association with these thought leaders in the Estate Planning community, I am able to continually expand my expertise and education, stay ahead of changes in the law, and provide cutting edge techniques for preserving wealth and protecting what is most important to my clients.

I go beyond the traditional “lawyer/client” relationship - I take the time to get to know my clients and understand their needs and goals before offering a solution.  Today, my estate plans are customized to each client’s unique circumstances - some very simple, some more complex, depending on the nature of their financial and personal lives.  I also strive to include my clients’ Trusted Advisors in the planning process.  I have found that working with our clients’ Financial Advisors, CPA’s and Insurance Professionals is often the best way to present a complete set of solutions.

I live in Springfield, Virginia with my wife, Laurie.  We have two sons in college and we remain active in the community through, among other things, charitable work - notably with Ellie’s Hats, of which I am a member of the board of directors.  Ellie’s Hats is an organization that dedicates itself to providing hats to children suffering from all forms of Childhood Cancer, bringing a little joy and smiles into their lives, supporting their families and raising awareness of Childhood Cancer.  I remain an avid fisherman, surfer and scuba diver.