A Tribute to Neil Horton

By Bart J. Schenone, Esq.*

This issue of the Quarterly, focusing on elder law issues, is dedicated to Neil Fisher Horton, State Bar Number 32524. Born in Chicago; he is a graduate of Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, and of Harvard University Law School. Neil was admitted to the California Bar in 1962; he is a certified specialist in both Trusts and Estates and Taxation Law.

These are the bare facts. Neil has been a distinguished practitioner and has dedicated himself to improving the legal profession. He is past Chair of the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section where he made many contributions to California legislation. As a member of the Executive Committee, his contributions include reform of the no contest clause in 2009 and amendment to disqualified transfers in 2010, as well as having input for the Executive Committee in numerous legislative bills. Neil has been a tireless advocate for trusts and estates lawyers. He is well-known and respected by the California Law Review Commission as well as by the staff of the California Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committees.

His professional accomplishments are numerous: frequent lecturer in many continuing education programs; author of legal articles and continuing education tomes; special examiner for the State Bar in disciplinary matters involving estate planning; judge pro tem, special master, appointed administrator, trustee, temporary conservator, guardian ad litem and expert for Court matters; Board Member of the Community Law Center and instigating force for its merger with the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County to create the Family Law Center; member of the Advisory Council of the Berkeley Public Education Foundation from 1988 through 1990; and enough other commitments to fill four pages of "excerpts" from his resume. In 1995, Neil received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services from the State Bar of California.