James M. Vitt

Mr. Vitt first became interested in estate planning in law school while taking an estate taxation course. As an attorney, he has always found it rewarding to help people plan and assist them in getting their affairs in order. Nonetheless, Mr. Vitt spent several years as a trial lawyer and general civil practitioner prior to focusing on estate planning. That experience has proven invaluable as a foundation for his estate planning practice.

Experience

Following law school, Mr. Vitt served as a judicial law clerk in Bennington, Vermont. As a law clerk, Mr. Vitt had the opportunity to work with several judges on a wide variety of matters. A year later, Mr. Vitt went to work for Paterson & Walke, PC, an AV-rated general civil practice law firm in Montpelier, Vermont. He ultimately became a managing shareholder of that firm. At Paterson & Walke, PC, Mr. Vitt represented individuals and businesses in a variety of matters, including business planning and litigation. He represented clients in state and federal courts, and successfully argued cases before the Vermont Supreme Court. In 1993, Mr. Vitt returned to his home state of Virginia, where he was a principal of Geraty, MacQueen, and Vitt, PLC for eleven years. During that period, Mr. Vitt narrowed the focus of his work to estate planning and elder law.

In March 2004, Mr. Vitt founded Vitt Law offices, PLC, a firm devoted entirely to estate planning, elder law, and related matters. As a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA), Mr. Vitt has consistently completed a minimum of 36 hours of annual Continuing Legal Education (more than required by the Virginia State Bar) in areas pertaining to estate planning, elder law, and taxation. He served on the AAEPA’s Education Advisory Board for over five years, and presently serves on the AAEPA’s Board of Governors. In addition, he received training and earned certification pertaining to IRA planning and distributions through the IRA Attorney Advisor Program presented by Ed Slott, CPA. Mr. Vitt is an active member of the Virginia Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Virginia State Bar Section on Trusts and Estates, the Central Virginia Estate Planning Council, and the Charlottesville/ Albemarle Bar Association. Mr. Vitt has addressed numerous professional and community organizations, has appeared on television, and has been interviewed for various print media. He regularly conducts public and private seminars on estate planning, elder law, and related matters. Over the years, Vitt Law Offices, PLC has helped hundreds of clients preserve and pass on their hard-earned wealth through wise estate planning choices.

Education

In 1974, Mr. Vitt completed his undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech. In 1985, Mr. Vitt received his Juris Doctorate and his Master of Studies in Environmental Law, cum laude, from Vermont Law School. While at Vermont Law School, Mr. Vitt earned first place honors in the Debevoise Moot Court Competition, served on the Moot Court Advisory Board, and was a member of the Vermont Legal Research Group.

Personal

Mr. Vitt and his wife, Dianne, a registered dietitian, have a son and daughter. All of the Vitts are or have been involved with the law firm. Daughter Loretta graduated from law school at the University of Virginia, and is an Associate Attorney at Vitt Law Offices. They all enjoy outdoor activities and musical events in their spare time.