Brittany L. Froning is an associate in the Trusts and Estates Department, where she focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration, guardianships, elder law, and contested estate and trust litigation matters. She represents individuals, families, fiduciaries, financial institutions, higher education institutions, and not-for-profit and religious organizations.
Admitted in both New York and Florida, Brittany is well positioned to assist clients with multistate trust and estate matters, including Florida domicile and residency planning for individuals and families with ties to the firm’s Palm Beach office.
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
I wanted to pursue a career in law for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was an avid reader and I loved mysteries in particular. There is something so satisfying about finding a solution others might not see by using the smallest of details. The law gives me a chance to do that daily.
What led you to focus your practice on Trusts and Estates? What do you enjoy most about the work?
My work in Trusts and Estates began before law school. While in college, I interned with a law firm where I assisted the attorneys with drafting estate plans and, occasionally, with estate litigation. Trusts and Estates is an often-underrated area of practice but something that affects every single person eventually.
Has there been a mentor who influenced your career, and what impact did they have on your development as a lawyer?
My career has been heavily influenced by Andrew Nitkewicz, the head of the Trusts and Estates Department at Cullen and Dykman. I interned with him in college and law school, and he gave me my first job as an attorney once I was sworn in to the New York Bar. Andrew always provided guidance when I needed it and trusted me to handle complex work, even prior to law school, giving me crucial real-world experience.
What trends are you seeing with clients and your practice?
We are increasingly seeing clients who require a more integrated approach to their legal representation, including their estate planning. As the world becomes more interconnected, clients need attorneys who are able to address all of their needs, often across state lines.
Among your professional achievements, which one holds the deepest significance for you?
Passing two Bar Exams holds deep significance for me, especially because I took the Florida Bar Exam years after graduating from law school and before gaining any practical experience with the Florida courts. I have strong connections to both New York and Florida, so being able to assist clients in both states was, and is, important to me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your legal career?
One of the most essential parts of a legal career is building good professional relationships with other attorneys. Having strong relationships with others in the legal practice can only help you and your clients.
What advice would you give to someone entering the legal profession?
Get as much hands-on experience as possible while you are still in school – take internships and externships, do practicums and clinics. Taking the right classes is great, but they will not teach you what the actual practice of law is like. Once you are sworn in and practicing as an attorney, your time to observe will become more limited.
What are some of the most common challenges people face when relocating from New York to Florida?
Relocating sufficient personal, social, and business ties from New York to Florida is often an area people struggle with when changing their domicile. When the relocation is not done properly, people can be subject to both New York and Florida taxes, despite the fact that many people choosing to relocate are doing so to escape New York taxes. Relocation should be handled carefully.
Beyond your work at the firm, what activities or hobbies do you enjoy?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending my time with family and friends or playing soccer.
What stands out to you most about your experience at Cullen and Dykman LLP?
My experience at Cullen and Dykman would not be complete without the people. The Trusts and Estates Department is full of amazing people who are always willing to help everyone out with all manner of matters.