In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Lauren Klein – Co-Founder & Attorney at Flourish Law Group, PLLC – to discuss a more personalized approach to estate planning centered on education, empowerment, and understanding the unique needs of each family.

Lauren shares her journey from Biglaw to co-founding Flourish Law Group and explores the importance of planning beyond the documents. The conversation includes special needs trust planning, probate avoidance, privacy, and the role education plays in helping families make informed planning decisions. Lauren also discusses Flourish’s Estate Planning for Busy Parents webinar, designed to make foundational estate planning concepts more accessible.

Finally, Lauren shares the inspiration behind Legal + Wealthy, the community she founded, and the Legal + Wealthy Podcast. She and David discuss wealth building within the legal profession, the pressures attorneys face, and the importance of mental health, well-being, and creating a more sustainable definition of professional success.

You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel.

Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction & Control podcast was developed to educate, challenge, and inspire listeners. As we interview experts in the trust planning arena, we keep listeners updated on developments regarding modern trust law and provide practical discussion on the powerful trust planning opportunities available to advisors around the country and the world—all in an effort to deliver far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before. Check out all of our episodes here: bridgefordtrust.com/podcasts.

If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode, don’t hesitate to reach out to us through our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.

  

2026 Innovator of the Year Awards: October 7 | Irvine, CA

Bridgeford is proud to sponsor the Orange County Business Journal’s 2026 Innovator of the Year Awards, taking place on October 7 at the Irvine Marriott, with the luncheon and awards held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Now in its twelfth year, the awards program recognizes Orange County individuals and organizations demonstrating leadership and innovation across a variety of industries and disciplines.

Sydney Warren, Managing Director, is serving as a judge for this year’s awards. Sydney and David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman, will also be hosting a Bridgeford table at the event. If you’ll be in the area and would like to attend, contact us – we’d be happy to have you join us!

2027 Economic Forecast: October 9 | Newport Beach, CA

Bridgeford is also pleased to sponsor the 2027 Economic Forecast, presented by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and featuring UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. The event will be held on October 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach.

This annual event brings together Orange County business leaders for insights on the economic outlook and trends shaping the region. This year’s featured speaker is Christopher Schwarz, Professor of Finance and Faculty Director of the Todd & Lisa Halbrook Center for Investment & Wealth Management at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business.

David and Sydney will again be hosting a Bridgeford table and look forward to connecting with members of the Orange County business community. If you’re interested in joining us for the event, contact us to reserve a seat at Bridgeford’s table.

For additional information or questions about these upcoming events, please reach out to us through our contact page or call us at (605) 224-9189.

  

Located at 104 W 40th Street, near Bryant Park in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Bridgeford NYC is situated in one of the world’s leading centers for financial services, law, investment management, and private wealth. The new office provides an important local connection for our work with sophisticated families and the advisors who serve them throughout New York and the broader Northeast.

Bridgeford NYC joins our existing offices in Miami, Newport Beach, Philadelphia, and the Bay Area, continuing Bridgeford’s strategic expansion into key markets nationwide. Together, these locations support our broader commitment to building strong relationships with families and advisors while expanding the reach of Bridgeford’s independent and strategic approach to trust planning.

David Warren, Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company and President and CEO of Bridgeford Advisors, shared the following perspective on Bridgeford’s new presence in New York:

“New York City is another natural expansion for Bridgeford, given our deep ties and connection to ‘the city that never sleeps.’ Since our inception, NYC was among the first major financial markets to embrace Bridgeford and the power of modern trust law, and we are thrilled to put our flag in the ground in the heart of Manhattan and formally become part of the city’s domestic and international professional community.”

Bridgeford NYC Launch Event: November 4

Join us as we celebrate the launch of Bridgeford NYC with a ribbon cutting in partnership with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and an opportunity to connect with the Bridgeford team and fellow professionals. David Warren will also share insights on trust jurisdiction selection and the benefits of modern trust law for asset protection, privacy, and tax planning.

Date & Time: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST
Location: Bar Cima – 30 West 39th Street, New York, NY 10018
Registration: Space is limited, so register early by clicking here.

For more information about Bridgeford’s expansion into New York City, or to connect with our team, please contact us via our contact page or by calling (605) 224-9189.

  

If you’ll be attending IPAVision or the STEP LatAm Conference, we’d love to connect. Please reach out to coordinate a time to meet with our team while we’re there.

IPAVision 2026: September 14-17 | Atlanta, GA

Bridgeford Trust Company is pleased to participate in IPAVision 2026, the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives’ premier annual event. The conference brings together more than 500 influential leaders and stakeholders to explore macroeconomic and investment management trends and innovative solutions within the alternative investments industry.

David Warren, Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company, will be attending and speaking on a panel titled Beyond the Exchange: PPLI, PPVA & the Insurance-Wrapper Playbook on Monday, September 14, from 2:50 to 3:40 p.m. David will join Loren Wengerd of Integrity Financial Corporation and moderator Sommer Keplar of the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives to explore PPLI and PPVA structures, the IRS Investor Control Doctrine, and implementation considerations for complex alternative investment portfolios.

STEP LatAm Conference: September 16-18 | São Paulo, Brazil

Bridgeford Trust Company will once again sponsor the sold-out STEP LatAm Conference, taking place September 16-18 in São Paulo, Brazil. The conference brings together trust and estate practitioners from across Latin America and around the world to explore developments and planning considerations affecting internationally connected families and their advisors.

Sydney Warren, Managing Director, and Ozzy Martinez, Senior Trust Officer, will be on-site throughout the conference. If you are attending, we invite you to visit Bridgeford’s exhibit table to meet our team and learn more about our independent approach to trust and fiduciary services, international trust planning services, and the power of South Dakota’s modern trust laws.

OCBJ Women in Business Awards: September 17 | Irvine, CA

Bridgeford Trust Company is proud to sponsor the Orange County Business Journal’s Women in Business Awards, taking place September 17 at the Irvine Marriott.

This annual program recognizes the accomplishments and leadership of outstanding women in Orange County’s business community. We are pleased to support an event that celebrates their contributions and continued impact throughout the region.

Follow Bridgeford Trust Company on LinkedIn for event updates, or reach out directly at (605) 224-9189 or through our contact form.

  

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Skyler Wanberg – Executive VP, Legacy Funding at Leverage Capital Partners – for a conversation on innovative premium funding strategies and the role life insurance can play in sophisticated legacy planning.

Skyler shares his entrepreneurial journey—from launching a life insurance brokerage at 19 to building and exiting companies across several industries before ultimately returning to insurance. David and Skyler then compare traditional premium financing with Leverage Capital Partners’ model, examining how existing assets and customized funding structures may be used to fund large life insurance policies with little or no out-of-pocket cost.

Through examples involving professional athletes, business owners, and multigenerational families, they explore how these strategies may support estate tax planning, create tax-advantaged income, and preserve wealth across generations. They also discuss the importance of independent trustees and advisors, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Private Placement Life Insurance, and how these tools can work alongside South Dakota trusts as part of a comprehensive legacy plan.

You can listen to our latest episode on Bridgeford’s podcast page, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and SoundCloud—or watch it on our YouTube channel.

Bridgeford Trust Company’s Delivering Direction & Control podcast was developed to educate, challenge, and inspire listeners. As we interview experts in the trust planning arena, we keep listeners updated on developments regarding modern trust law and provide practical discussion on the powerful trust planning opportunities available to advisors around the country and the world—all in an effort to deliver far more direction and control to clients and their advisors than ever before. Check out all of our episodes here: bridgefordtrust.com/podcasts.

If you have questions on any of the topics discussed in this latest episode, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our contact form or call us at (605) 224-9189.