Insight
Jennifer Spitz, Boulder Trusts and Estates "Lawyer of the Year" 2016
Jennifer Spitz of Stover & Spitz, for trusts and estates.
One might not automatically assume it, but Jennifer Spitz, a name partner in Stover & Spitz, has a wry sense of humor and delivers self-deprecating one-offs with endearing ease. Spitz has practiced trusts and estates law in Longmont, Colorado, since 1998, and she’s heavily involved in the Colorado Bar Association’s trusts and estates section. “It helps to be really detail oriented,” Spitz says of her professional success. “I spend a lot of time with minutiae.”
Spitz’s work tends to focus on helping individual clients figure out how to plan for leaving their assets behind and choose whom they would like to make decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so themselves. Much as it helps to be a specialist in this area, Spitz says, it is crucial as well to be a people person who is good at understanding the needs of clients and translating them into legal terms.
“Sometimes clients don’t know much about the law, and they just describe what they want to happen. We have to make that work in a legal framework and describe the law and describe issues to them in a way that’s understandable and not overly lawyerly,” says Spitz, adding: “It’s hard because estate planning doesn’t necessarily get wrapped up in the short-term. After someone puts a will in place, they might be around for a long time, so it would really help to have a crystal ball. But if you don’t have a crystal ball, it is easier if you at least have some certainty with the law.”
Through her involvement with the Colorado State Bar, Spitz gets the next best thing to certainty. By close association with state lawmakers, Spitz and her colleagues in the trusts and estates section often preview and suggest changes to the state trusts and estates laws that they work with daily. “If we’re not coming up with the idea, we’re at least looking at it,” Spitz says. “It is really helpful to be involved and see these projects coming down the road before they become law. And there constantly seem to be projects.”
Trending Articles
The 2024 Best Lawyers in Spain™
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™ for 2024.
Presenting The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2025
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is proud to present The Best Lawyers in Australia for 2025, marking the 17th consecutive year of Best Lawyers awards in Australia.
Best Lawyers Expands Chilean 2024 Awards
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is pleased to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Chile™ and the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Chile™, honoring the top lawyers and firms conferred on by their Chilean peers.
Best Lawyers Expands 2024 Brazilian Awards
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Brazil™ and the first edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Brazil™.
Announcing The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ 2024
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in South Africa™ for 2024, including the exclusive "Law Firm of the Year" awards.
The Best Lawyers in Mexico Celebrates a Milestone Year
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is excited to announce the 15th edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ and the second edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Mexico™ for 2024.
How Palworld Is Testing the Limits of Nintendo’s Legal Power
by Gregory Sirico
Many are calling the new game Palworld “Pokémon GO with guns,” noting the games striking similarities. Experts speculate how Nintendo could take legal action.
The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ 2024
by Best Lawyers
The 2024 awards for Portugal include the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Portugal™ and 2nd edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Portugal™.
The Best Lawyers in Peru™ 2024
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is excited to announce the landmark 10th edition of The Best Lawyers in Peru, the prestigious award recognizing the country's lop legal talent.
How To Find A Pro Bono Lawyer
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers dives into the vital role pro bono lawyers play in ensuring access to justice for all and the transformative impact they have on communities.
Presenting the 2024 Best Lawyers Family Law Legal Guide
by Best Lawyers
The 2024 Best Lawyers Family Law Legal Guide is now live and includes recognitions for all Best Lawyers family law awards. Read below and explore the legal guide.
The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ 2024
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is honored to announce the 14th edition of The Best Lawyers in Colombia™ for 2024, which honors Colombia's most esteemed lawyers and law firms.
Announcing The Best Lawyers in New Zealand™ 2025 Awards
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is announcing the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in New Zealand for 2025, including individual Best Lawyers and "Lawyer of the Year" awards.
Announcing the 2024 Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™
by Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers is proud to announce the 11th edition of The Best Lawyers in Puerto Rico™, honoring the top lawyers and firms across the country for 2024.
