Michael J. Kemmy
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Probate/Estate Administration
Wills and Trusts
What do you believe sets Conrad, Trosch and Kemmy apart from other law firms?
A couple of things. First, we care about our clients and always try to get the best possible outcomes for them. Secondly, the variety of practice areas we cover. We are one of Charlotte’s most comprehensive firms of our size in terms of service.
What is something you believe important to consider in a potential client’s mind?
We currently have 7 attorneys. 3 of those are board certified specialists in their fields.
That is a very strong achievement and credentialing.
Your philosophy on what you do?
I believe it’s important to understand my clients’ goals, and equally important that my clients understand that what I am doing will help them achieve those goals. For example, in estate planning and elder law planning. I don’t just draft documents for them, I take the time to explain the documents and how to organize their assets to get the most out of them.
“Michael is smart, caring, thorough in all his work and always puts the interest of his clients first. Over the years, I have encountered other people who have used Michael for legal matters and they all say the same thing…he is so knowledgeable and responsive to our needs.” ~ A CTK Client
“Over the past 8 years, I’ve referred numerous clients, my parents and even myself to Michael for help with their/my estate planning. He is helpful, knowledgeable and client friendly.” ~ A CTK Client
Meet Michael
The most rewarding part of practicing law for me is knowing that I make a positive impact on the lives of my clients. I have more than thirty years of experience, and I was the first member of the Mecklenburg County Bar to be board certified by the North Carolina Bar as an Elder Law Specialist. I am a partner at Conrad Trosch & Kemmy, and I head our Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law Department.
Since 1987, I have helped thousands of clients achieve their planning goals and administer the estates of family members or close friends. There are few other attorneys in this area with that kind of experience. Having had a more general practice that once included areas such as business law and real estate, I bring a broader perspective to Estate Planning and Probate, as well as to Elder Law, in which I now specialize.
For my clients who are planning their estates or trying to protect assets, I want to help them achieve their goals in a way that they understand and feel good about. For my Probate and Estate Administration clients, my goal is to take as much of their burden from them as possible during a time when they are grieving. If my clients only take one thing away from my representation of them, I want them to know that I truly care about their problems and will work to solve them. The services that I offer are valuable, and in order for my clients to believe that what I do for them is valuable, I need to work hard to earn their trust and confidence.
I am married and have two children. My family is a fantastic support system. They have always believed in me and have been understanding when I have needed to work late hours and on weekends. My wife, Debbie, has been especially supportive, being willing to work at the firm in administrative positions over the course of the past twenty years or so, whenever we needed her. Just knowing the level of her support and that of my children has given me the freedom and confidence to grow as an attorney.
Michael Kemmy is the first member of the Mecklenburg Bar to be board certified by the North Carolina Bar as an Elder Law Specialist. With more than 30 years of experience, he heads our Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law Department.
Experience
- Board Certified Elder Law Attorney in Charlotte, NC
- Adjunct Professor, Business Law, UNC-Charlotte, 1987 – 1996
- Private law practice, Houston, Texas, 1982 – 1986
- Estate and gift tax attorney, Internal Revenue Service 1980-1982
Education
- Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas, J.D., 1979
- Creighton University, B.S.B.A., 1977
Publications and Presentations
- “Elder Law,” August 2, 2014 on TBS Legal Forum Network (click to listen to 30-minute broadcast)
- Wills and Estate Planning (Video)
- Understanding Living Trusts (Video)
Frequent lecturer on Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning topics to a variety of groups that have included:
- Allstate Insurance Company
- Salvation Army Seminar
- Financial Planning Association
- Providence Baptist Church
- Shepherd Center
- Mom’s Club of Ballantyne
- Mom’s Club of Matthews
- Duke Energy Employees
- Park South Group
- RBC Wealth Advisor Client Group
- Mecklenburg Collaborative Law Group
- New York Life Agents
- Duke Energy’s Business Women’s Network
- Southern Spring Home & Garden Show
- Temple Beth El
- Myers Park Baptist Church
- “Elder Law,” Charlotte Talks, WFAE, August 25, 2011
(Click to listen)
Awards and Recognitions
- AV Preeminent® peer rating – Martindale-Hubbell®: Having high to very high legal ability and very high ethical standards—as established by a survey of confidential opinions from area judges and attorneys
- 2016 Ten Best Client Satisfaction for Elder Law Division by American Institute of Legal Counsel
- 2018 Ten Best Elder Law Attorney – North Carolina by American Institute of Legal Counsel
Community Involvement
- Former Habitat for Humanity Wills Clinic Volunteer
- Former Pro Bono Consultant, Carriage Club of Charlotte
- Former Social Venture Partners, Charlotte
Bar Admission
- North Carolina State Bar, 1987
- Texas State Bar, 1982
- Kansas State Bar, 1980
Membership and Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar Association
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association
- Meet Michael
Meet Michael
The most rewarding part of practicing law for me is knowing that I make a positive impact on the lives of my clients. I have more than thirty years of experience, and I was the first member of the Mecklenburg County Bar to be board certified by the North Carolina Bar as an Elder Law Specialist. I am a partner at Conrad Trosch & Kemmy, and I head our Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Law Department.
Since 1987, I have helped thousands of clients achieve their planning goals and administer the estates of family members or close friends. There are few other attorneys in this area with that kind of experience. Having had a more general practice that once included areas such as business law and real estate, I bring a broader perspective to Estate Planning and Probate, as well as to Elder Law, in which I now specialize.
For my clients who are planning their estates or trying to protect assets, I want to help them achieve their goals in a way that they understand and feel good about. For my Probate and Estate Administration clients, my goal is to take as much of their burden from them as possible during a time when they are grieving. If my clients only take one thing away from my representation of them, I want them to know that I truly care about their problems and will work to solve them. The services that I offer are valuable, and in order for my clients to believe that what I do for them is valuable, I need to work hard to earn their trust and confidence.
I am married and have two children. My family is a fantastic support system. They have always believed in me and have been understanding when I have needed to work late hours and on weekends. My wife, Debbie, has been especially supportive, being willing to work at the firm in administrative positions over the course of the past twenty years or so, whenever we needed her. Just knowing the level of her support and that of my children has given me the freedom and confidence to grow as an attorney.
- Experience
Michael Kemmy is the first member of the Mecklenburg Bar to be board certified by the North Carolina Bar as an Elder Law Specialist. With more than 30 years of experience, he heads our Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law Department.
Experience
- Board Certified Elder Law Attorney in Charlotte, NC
- Adjunct Professor, Business Law, UNC-Charlotte, 1987 – 1996
- Private law practice, Houston, Texas, 1982 – 1986
- Estate and gift tax attorney, Internal Revenue Service 1980-1982
Education
- Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas, J.D., 1979
- Creighton University, B.S.B.A., 1977
- Publications & Presentations
Publications and Presentations
- “Elder Law,” August 2, 2014 on TBS Legal Forum Network (click to listen to 30-minute broadcast)
- Wills and Estate Planning (Video)
- Understanding Living Trusts (Video)
Frequent lecturer on Elder Law, Probate and Estate Planning topics to a variety of groups that have included:
- Allstate Insurance Company
- Salvation Army Seminar
- Financial Planning Association
- Providence Baptist Church
- Shepherd Center
- Mom’s Club of Ballantyne
- Mom’s Club of Matthews
- Duke Energy Employees
- Park South Group
- RBC Wealth Advisor Client Group
- Mecklenburg Collaborative Law Group
- New York Life Agents
- Duke Energy’s Business Women’s Network
- Southern Spring Home & Garden Show
- Temple Beth El
- Myers Park Baptist Church
- “Elder Law,” Charlotte Talks, WFAE, August 25, 2011
(Click to listen)
- Awards & Recognitions
Awards and Recognitions
- AV Preeminent® peer rating – Martindale-Hubbell®: Having high to very high legal ability and very high ethical standards—as established by a survey of confidential opinions from area judges and attorneys
- 2016 Ten Best Client Satisfaction for Elder Law Division by American Institute of Legal Counsel
- 2018 Ten Best Elder Law Attorney – North Carolina by American Institute of Legal Counsel
- Community Involvement
Community Involvement
- Former Habitat for Humanity Wills Clinic Volunteer
- Former Pro Bono Consultant, Carriage Club of Charlotte
- Former Social Venture Partners, Charlotte
- Professional
Bar Admission
- North Carolina State Bar, 1987
- Texas State Bar, 1982
- Kansas State Bar, 1980
Membership and Affiliations
- North Carolina State Bar Association
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association
