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It is with great sadness that Best Best & Krieger LLP announces the passing of former managing partner Christopher L. Carpenter. In addition to serving as firm managing partner from 1987-1996, Carpenter was a leading member of the firm’s Business practice group, a recognized trusts and estates practitioner, and also served for several years with The Judge Advocate General’s Corps United States Air Force.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the Carpenter family,” said BBK Managing Partner Eric Garner. “Chris will be greatly missed both personally and professionally. He had a successful career with BBK, including his work to help pave the way for our expansion throughout California and nationally. He also had a great sense of humor. I consider myself fortunate to have known and worked with him.”

In his day to day practice, Carpenter prepared and administered revocable and irrevocable trusts and advised on related matters. His practice emphasized business succession planning for families that own successful small businesses. This included assisting clients with gifting programs, both to family members and charities, using a variety of techniques and entities that take advantage of different valuation concepts.

He was a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel for more than 15 years and also served as president of the Riverside County Estate Planning Council. He was AV rated by Martindale-Hubble, and frequently spoke and authored articles on topics related to his areas of practice.

Carpenter earned his LL.B. from Yale Law School and his B.A. from Pomona College.

His complete obituary can be found here.

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