Cohen & Grigsby Expands Naples Office And Adds To Estates And Trusts Practice

August 3, 2004

Naples, FL - Cohen & Grigsby, P.C. announces the addition of attorney Carl E. Westman and his staff, formerly of Steel Hector & Davis, to the firm’s newly expanded Naples office. Mr. Westman joins Cohen & Grigsby as a Director in the Estates and Trusts Group.

According to the Firm’s president, Jack W. Elliott, “The addition of Carl and his staff is a key component in our strategic plan. Carl has been in practice for more than 35 years and brings with him a depth of knowledge and understanding of the complexities of estate and trust planning and charitable giving. Since opening its first Florida office in 2001, the firm has experienced exponential growth, particularly in the Naples area,” said Elliott. “We are pleased that a closer and more accessible geographical location will enable us to better serve our clients in the area and that we will be able to offer expanded services. Of course, our firm’s fundamental commitment will continue to drive all of our Florida operations: understanding the business, mission and goals of each of our clients, and, consequently, providing our clients with high-quality legal services to assist in meeting those goals.”

Carl E. Westman concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, charitable planning and estate administration, including highly complicated estates. Mr. Westman earned his B.B.A. from Sam Houston State University in 1966, his J.D. from the University of Miami in 1969, and his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami in 1972. He is admitted to practice in Florida, before the U.S. Tax Court, and before the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. He is a member of the Collier County Bar Association and Estate Planning Council of Collier County. He is also a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, and Healthcare Sections of The Florida Bar. Mr. Westman serves in several community capacities, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Naples Community Hospital, Inc.; First Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the NCH Healthcare System; Chairman, Professional Capabilities Committee (Credentialing), the NCH Healthcare System; Chairman of the Planned Giving Committee, the NCH Foundation; Dean’s Council, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami; Chairman, Southwest Florida Planned Giving Committee, Audubon of Florida; Member of the Board of Directors, Marco Island Yacht Club; Trustee, Pikeville College; Founding Member, Chairman’s Council and former Vice President, Community Foundation of Collier County; Former Chairman, David Lawrence Mental Health Foundation; and Member, Eagle Board of Review and Former District Chairman, Southwest Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America. Carl is listed in Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in the South and Southeast, and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Prior to joining Cohen & Grigsby, Mr. Westman was a partner with the law firm Steel Hector & Davis LLP in Naples, Florida. He resides in Naples, Florida.