An Unexpected Trip, One First Client and 45 Years of KMO

By Attorney Philip Kavesh

On October 17, our law firm turns 45. When I think about how it all began, I still come back to an airline ticket that wasn’t supposed to be mine.

A Visit That Changed Everything

In late 1979, my sister had a ticket to visit our aunt and uncle in California. Then she became engaged, moved to London, and gave the ticket to me. I was living in New Jersey, looking for work after earning my master’s degree in tax law. I had never been to California and had no reason to think I would ever move here.

My aunt and uncle encouraged me to introduce myself to a few Los Angeles law firms. I hurriedly typed a résumé and delivered it in person, just to see what might happen. Within days, I had several offers. Soon afterward, I packed nearly everything I owned into my car and drove across the country alone, stopping overnight in Charleston, West Virginia; Little Rock, Arkansas; El Paso, Texas; and Flagstaff, Arizona. I had never expected to be in any of those places, either.

When I arrived, my aunt and uncle were the only people I knew in California.

One Client and a Lot of Encouragement

After working for a couple of larger firms, I decided to open my own practice on October 17, 1981. I had one part-time secretary and no long list of clients waiting for me.

I did have my one client, Jerry. He had urged me to go out on my own and promised, “I’ll be your new firm’s first client!”

The first few years were a struggle. The phone certainly didn’t ring as often as I hoped. Jerry seemed to sense when I needed a boost and would stop by to talk. My uncle was watching from the sidelines, too, ready with his enthusiastic optimism and practical advice. I owe a great deal to both of them.

I also quickly learned that many people wanted to understand estate planning better before they were ready to sit down and discuss their private matters with a lawyer. So I began teaching public seminars. Little did I know I had embarked on a lifelong mission.

At one point, I presented 22 seminars in a single month. Looking back, I’m not sure how I managed that, plus doing the client work! The late night Domino’s delivery boy became one of my best friends.

Those seminars helped the practice grow remarkably fast. More than 40 years later, educating families remains our core mission and one of the most important things we do.

The People Behind KMO

Over the years, we merged in several practices, became Kavesh, Minor & Otis, and the South Bay became our home. The little one person office that began with Jerry as its first client grew into one of Southern California’s largest estate planning firms.

But size isn’t what I find most remarkable about reaching 45 years. It’s the people who have committed their efforts to KMO and cared for our clients year after year. Attorney Peter Keon has served with us for more than 20 years, as has Attorney Jane Lee. Our office manager, Arlyn Villanueva, has been with us for more than 30 years, and senior paralegal Elaine Anderson for more than 35. Some clients have known these team members for decades. That familiarity means a great deal when a family returns with a question, needs to update a plan, or comes to us after a loved one has died.

We’ve changed with the times, too. Zoom meetings now let us help clients throughout California and work with trustees living in other states. New technology helps our team stay connected and respond to clients more efficiently.

And in 2022, I was humbled to be honored for 30 years of public service as a State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

An Invitation to Pass Along

I wish Jerry could see what grew from his promise to be my first client. His and my uncle’s encouragement changed my life.

Over these 45 years, our clients have given us something equally precious: their trust. Thank you for allowing us to help with the important personal decisions that matter so much to you and your loved ones.

Perhaps you know someone who has been meaning to make an estate plan but keeps putting it off. Or someone whose plan was signed years ago and may no longer reflect their life, their beneficiaries’ needs and circumstances, and their wishes.

Please invite them to one of our upcoming living trust seminars. They can come, learn, ask questions, and then decide what steps are right for them.

You might give them just the encouragement they need to begin. Just like Jerry did for me.

Kavesh, Minor & Otis — Trusted Estate Planning Attorneys In Torrance and Serving the Greater South Bay

Before you come in to set up an estate plan or a plan review, you may want to register for an estate planning seminar. These free, informative sessions provide valuable insights into protecting your assets and planning for the future with guidance from an experienced estate planning attorney. Your attendance will qualify you for a special fee discount for our estate planning services. Our estate planning law firm proudly serves clients throughout California from our main office in Torrance. We also serve Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, The Palos Verdes Peninsula and the Greater South Bay area.

When You Want the Best for Your Loved Ones, Choose Us.

Experience and Expertise. Estate planning and post-death administration are all we do. Our attorneys have over 70 years of combined expertise in the field, and and all of our attorneys have passed an additional Bar examination and peer review process to become State Bar Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Two of our attorneys also have Master’s Degrees in Tax Law, giving us unique insight into how estate tax and income tax will affect your family’s inheritance.

Customization and Attention to Detail. Before we create or update your estate plan, we get to know you, your goals, and what matters to you most. We take the time to listen to your concerns and attend to each of your unique needs and desires as if they were our own. When we complete your plan, we perform a detailed quality control process to help ensure your objectives are met. We also provide you with a personalized Owner’s Manual containing all of your important documents, and and provide your successor Trustee with a Manual containing helpful, plain-English checklists and easy-to-follow procedures to follow when the time comes to act.

Lifetime Relationship. All of our estate plans include a free ongoing service package. We take phone calls any time you have questions, perform free estate planning checkups every three years, and keep you abreast of changes in the law and planning strategies with our complimentary newsletters and educational seminars. And, when the time comes, we will be there to help your trustee and loved ones.