Brown | Streza

Models of Church Growth: Mergers & Acquisitions
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Virtual via Zoom
Offering 1.0 hour of CLE credit.
As more churches are considering mergers, acquisitions, and affiliation arrangements with other churches, legal counsel must navigate increasingly complex tax, governance, and structural issues.
Join Brown & Streza partners Casey S. Hale and John C. Peiffer for a legal deep-dive into the transactional frameworks that churches are using to grow. This presentation explores:

Structures for church mergers and acquisitions
Church affiliation arrangements
Legal and tax considerations

This is a valuable resource for attorneys and accountants advising churches, schools, and faith-based nonprofits. We invite you to RSVP here.

Presented by: John C. Peiffer II, J.D., A.M. and Casey S. Hale
Event Timeline:

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Presentation
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Optional Q&A and Case Studies

“Not-Too-Basic” Basic Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families
2025-08-12 11:30 - 13:00 | 100 Spectrum Center Drive, 12th Floor, 100 Spectrum Center Drive, 12th Floor, Irvine, California, 92618
Presented by: Michael Offenheiser
Offering 1.0 hour of CLE and CPE credit
Join us for an in-depth presentation on Foundational Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families: Why it Requires More Than Just the Basics.
This presentation will explore how foundational estate planning—covering essentials like powers of attorney, health care directives, wills, and living trusts—can become significantly more complex for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. You’ll learn about the unique strategies and considerations required to address their needs effectively.
Key topics include:

how to create a robust, flexible trust structure that can evolve with time while preserving the core objectives of the plan;
the usefulness of incorporating a “directed trustee” structure with an “investment” trustee or “distribution” trustee;
best practices for protecting future beneficiaries from becoming “trust fund babies;”
integration of irrevocable trusts that are often already in place, or will be put in place in the future, including the establishment and exercise of “powers of appointment;”
and more!

Join Us at 100 Spectrum Center Drive, 12th Floor* at 11:30 am for networking and a complimentary lunch. The presentation will begin at 12:00 pm.
*Located at a neighboring building while Brown & Streza is under construction

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Trump 2.0: A Mid-Year Report and Important Legal Updates
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual via Zoom
Earn 1.0 hour of CLE credit
Join us for an in-depth update on the Trump administration’s education policies and legal decisions impacting schools, higher education, and religious liberty.

We will review and provide an update on the Trump administration’s progress in implementing its education priorities…

returning education policymaking and decisions to the states
enforcing the definition of sex as biological “male” and “female” in Title IX
holding schools accountable in the application of Title VI
reshaping institutions of higher education, highlighting the events taking place at Harvard and Columbia and the proposed plan to raise taxes on university endowments

We will also provide updates and outcomes in recent school and employment legal decisions that may have religious liberty implications.

We hope you will join us on June 11th! RSVP here.

Presented by: Heather A. Lachenauer, J.D., M.A.
Moderated by: John C. Peiffer II, J.D., A.M.

Event Timeline:

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Presentation
1:00 pm – 1:15 pm Optional Q&A

Basics and Beyond Living Trusts
2025-05-20 11:30 - 13:00 | 100 Spectrum, 12th Floor, 100 Spectrum, 12th Floor, Irvine, United States
Presented by: Michael Offenheiser
Offering 1.0 hour of CLE and CPE credit
We invite you and your clients to join us for an insightful seminar designed to complement and enhance the guidance you already provide. This session will explore estate planning fundamentals and beyond—equipping you with tools to help your clients preserve wealth, minimize tax exposure, and plan for long-term family well-being.
What We’ll Cover:

Current Estate & Gift Tax laws: what’s changing and what it means for your clients
Planning for what happens in the event of incapacity
Avoiding probate, legal delays, and unnecessary costs
Creating smooth transitions and promoting family harmony
Ensuring prudent management of property
Protecting from creditors, predators, taxes, and waste
Engaging the next generation in legacy and wealth stewardship

Join Us at 100 Spectrum Center Drive, 12th Floor* at 11:30 am for networking and a complimentary lunch. The presentation will begin at 12:00 pm.
*Located at a neighboring building while Brown & Streza is under construction
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Private Foundations: 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions and 5 Things You Probably Don’t Know
2025-04-08 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual via Zoom
Private foundations are often misunderstood and sometimes maligned as a philanthropic vehicle. Although private foundations are subject to stringent laws, there are nevertheless plenty of ways private foundations can carry out creative and effective philanthropic initiatives. They are not limited merely to grant making.
Join Casey and Zan to learn about the five questions they are most frequently asked regarding private foundations as well as five things you might not know you can do with a private foundation. Click here to RSVP.
Presenters:
Casey S. Hale
Alexander “Zan” Schindler

Trump 2.0: The New Administration’s Education Priorities and An Update on Important Legal Cases for Schools
2025-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual via Zoom
President Trump and his administration have established clear priorities in a number of areas likely to impact schools.
We will discuss these priorities and their implications for secondary schools and institutions of higher education. We will also provide an update on recent cases that may impact schools and school policies.
We hope you will join us on March 12th! Click here to RSVP.

Presented by: Heather A. Lachenauer, J.D., M.A.
Moderated by: John C. Peiffer II, J.D., A.M.

“Not-Too-Basic” Basic Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families
2025-02-27 11:30 - 13:00 | Brown & Streza, LLP, 40 Pacifica, 15th Floor, Irvine, CA, 92618, United States
Presented by: Michael Offenheiser
Offering 1.0 hour of CLE and CPE credit
Join us for an in-depth presentation on Foundational Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Families: Why it Requires More Than Just the Basics.
This presentation will explore how foundational estate planning—covering essentials like powers of attorney, health care directives, wills, and living trusts—becomes significantly more complex for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. You’ll learn about the unique strategies and considerations required to address their needs effectively.
Key topics include:

how to create a robust, flexible trust structure that can evolve with time while preserving the core objectives of the plan;
the usefulness of incorporating a “directed trustee” structure with an “investment” trustee or “distribution” trustee;
best practices for protecting future beneficiaries from becoming “trust fund babies;”
integration of irrevocable trusts that are often already in place, or will be put in place in the future, including the establishment and exercise of “powers of appointment;”
and more!

Join Us at our office at 11:30 am for networking and a complimentary lunch. The presentation will begin at 12:00 pm.

Event at Capacity – Join Our Waitlist!
Thank you for your interest in this presentation. This event has reached full capacity, but we’ve started a waitlist. If a spot opens up, we’ll notify you as soon as possible!
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Religious Liberty Update Part 3: Cases Affecting Churches, Religious Ministries, and Schools
2024-11-19 10:00 - 23:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Join Brown & Streza attorneys for a discussion on a number of questions as they review recent and ongoing court cases.
Register via Zoom
How much protection does the First Amendment provide in churches’ self-government? How does federal law protect churches’ property rights? Join Brown & Streza attorneys for a discussion on these questions and more as they review recent and ongoing court cases.
Presented by: Paul Schmitt and Heather A. Lachenauer, J.D., M.A.

Philanthropic Strategies for Successful Families
2024-11-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual via Zoom
This webinar will provide an overview of three common tools successful families use to organize and execute on their charitable goals.
Register via Zoom
You may be familiar with the statement “Charity begins at home,” but the complete proverb actually says “Charity begins at home, but should not end there.” This webinar will take this proverb a step further by providing an overview of three common tools successful families use to organize and execute on their charitable goals.
Presented by: John C. Peiffer II and Casey S. Hale
Overview of Philanthropy Vehicles

Private Foundations
Donor Advised Funds
Type 1 Supporting Organizations

Assessment

Tax Efficiency
Legal/Compliance Issues
Control
Donor Privacy

Forming & Operating a Private Foundation: How to Avoid the Landmines and Enjoy Your Philanthropic Work
2024-10-22 10:00 - 11:15 | Virtual via Zoom
This presentation will discuss the most common mistakes private foundations make.
Register via Zoom
While there are stringent rules governing private foundations, forming and operating a private foundation need not be complex or dangerous. Understanding the rules applicable to private foundations will minimize the risk of noncompliance and help ensure operating the foundation remains a fulfilling endeavor.
This presentation will discuss the most common mistakes private foundations make. Stepping on these landmines can expose a foundation and its managers to excise taxes and distract the foundation from its primary mission. You will learn:

The problem areas start-up private foundations must avoid
The key differences between a trust-form and a corporate-form private foundation
How to avoid common self-dealing violations
Methods to make qualifying distributions beyond merely making grants

Speaker: Casey S. Hale

Keeping the Faith: Legal Strategies to Fortify Your Ministry
2024-10-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual via Zoom
Strategies to Protect your Religious Liberty and Identity
Register via Zoom
As part of a three-part series, we will discuss:

Corporate restructuring strategies learned from the business world
How to navigate challenges to corporate restructuring
Case studies illustrating how these strategies are implemented

Presented by: John C. Peiffer II and Casey S. Hale

Schedule

Presentation
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
1 hour 15 minutes

Q&A
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
15 minutes

Corporate Transparency Act: Rationale, Key Considerations for Family Businesses, and What Comes Next
2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual via Zoom
Join us and Family Enterprise USA for an insightful webcast on the Corporate Transparency Act, hosted by Partner, Matt Brown, specifically designed for family-owned businesses. Gain expert insights into the Corporate Transparency Act, understand future legislative changes, and receive practical guidance on navigating complex reporting obligations, ensuring your family-owned business is fully prepared for evolving regulations.
Reserve Your Spot

Private Foundations and Donor Advised Funds: A Comparison of These Two Philanthropic Heavyweights
2024-09-26 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual via Zoom
This presentation will cover the advantages and disadvantages of each type of charitable entity.
Register via Zoom
Philanthropically-minded clients are often advised to consider establishing a charitable vehicle as a part of their overall estate or wealth-management plan. By default, many advisors recommend a donor advised fund (“DAF”) as the preferred charitable vehicle. While a DAF is a great option for some, a private foundation offers benefits that may make it a better option in many circumstances. This presentation will cover the advantages and the disadvantages of each type of charitable entity to help you better understand whether a private foundation, a DAF, or both will best help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals. You will learn:

The differences between private foundations and donor advised funds
How a private foundation can be used together with a DAF
Operational parameters of each type of charitable entity

Speakers: Casey S. Hale and Alexander “Zan” Schindler
