July 2026 MCLE Luncheon with Tara R. Burd and Uzzell S. Branson IV
Please calendar our upcoming lunchtime MCLE on Thursday, July 9th at 12:00 pm at the Living Room Coffeehouse & Bistro, 1205 Prospect Street in La Jolla. Zoom participation will also be available for those unable to attend this presentation in-person who preregister. (see: link below).
Our MCLE presenters will be Tara R. Burd and Uzzell S. Branson IV, distinguished lawyers from the San Diego office of RMO, LLP, who will present a program on “Planning for and Managing Incapacity.”
This program will provide a practical roadmap for navigating real property ownership, fiduciary authority, administrative hurdles, and ethical obligations involving impaired individuals. Presenters Tara and Uzzell will examine the tools available before and after capacity declines, including trusts, powers of attorney, substituted judgment petitions, and conservatorships.
Their discussion will cover California’s capacity framework under Probate Code sections 810–812, the importance of clear trust incapacity provisions, the limits and risks of durable and springing powers of attorney, and the circumstances in which court-supervised solutions may become necessary. The program will also address attorney duties when working with impaired clients or successor fiduciaries, including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, prior representation issues, and guidance from COPRAC Formal Opinion 2021-207.
Attendees will leave with practical strategies for identifying capacity issues early, preserving client autonomy where possible, protecting vulnerable individuals from harm, avoiding common ethics traps, and selecting the least restrictive and most effective vehicle for managing incapacity, real property, and long-term care needs.
This presentation has been evaluated to provide 1.0 hr MCLE credit to participants, of which 0.50 hr qualifies for ETHICS credit.
Information About Our Speakers:
Tara R. Burd
Managing Partner – San Diego
RMO LLP / Trust & Estate Litigation
(619) 323-3207
burdt@rmolawyers.com
Tara R. Burd serves as Managing Partner of RMO LLP’s San Diego office, where she leads both the office’s operations and its litigation practice. She represents heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, creditors, and other interested parties in complex trust and estate disputes, with a particular focus on contested trust and estate administrations and fiduciary defense. With over 15 years of experience, Tara is known for her strategic leadership and her ability to drive matters toward resolution, whether through negotiated outcomes or trial.
Tara distinguishes herself through her ability to see the full landscape of a dispute, balancing legal strategy with practical resolution and client-focused guidance. As a managing partner, she not only advocates for clients but also shapes case direction, team execution, and overall litigation strategy in high-stakes matters.
She is deeply engaged in the broader legal community and is widely regarded as a leader in the trusts and estates field. Tara previously served on the board of the California Lawyers Association and contributed to The State Bar of California’s Access Through Innovation of Legal Services Task Force. She is also a frequent speaker for organizations including the California Lawyers Association, La Jolla Bar Association, and National Business Institute.
Her leadership and impact have earned her recognition as a “Women of Influence in Law” by the San Diego Business Journal, a Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation honoree, a Top 25 Women San Diego Super Lawyer, and a Super Lawyer in estate and trust litigation.
Uzzell S. Branson IV
Senior Attorney – San Diego
RMO LLP / Trust & Estate Litigation
(619) 323-3204
bransonu@rmolawyers.com
Uzzell S. Branson IV is a Senior Attorney at RMO LLP who represents heirs, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, creditors, and other interested parties in complex, high-stakes trust, estate, and conservatorship disputes.
With nearly 15 years of litigation experience and 22 years working in trusts and estates, Uzzell is known for his disciplined, litigation-driven approach and his ability to distill complex legal and factual issues into clear, effective strategies. He brings a steady, methodical presence to contentious matters, navigating sensitive family dynamics while maintaining a sharp focus on achieving efficient, results-oriented outcomes.
In addition to his practice, Uzzell is an active contributor to leading industry organizations, including Probate Attorneys of San Diego and Continuing Education of the Bar, and is a frequent speaker and author on emerging issues in trust and estate litigation.
His work has earned him recognition as a “Leader of Influence in Law” by the San Diego Business Journal, a San Diego Super Lawyer in estate and trust litigation, probate, and estate planning, and Trust & Probate Litigator of the Year by U.S. News.
For additional information about our speakers, please see their RMO LLP website profiles at following links:
Uzzell S. Branson IV | Senior Trust & Probate Attorney in San Diego, CA | RMO Lawyers