DURHAM ORANGE ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

The Durham-Orange Estate Planning Council

Join Us On Tuesday, 2.10.2026 -- 11:45 am -- 1:30pm 

Registration Is Now Open!  

The University Club, 3100 Tower Boulevard, 17th Floor, Durham 

Guest Speakers: Andrew Bishop and Kira Brown 

Presentation Topic: Economic Update and Planning For What's Next  

This two-part presentation begins with an update on the current economic environment, followed by estate planning strategies post-OBBBA where we will compare planning approaches for those who haven’t planned versus those who have. Key topics include factors families should consider when making gifts today (e.g., asset growth, loss of step-up, time horizon, etc.), integrating income tax strategies into estate plans (e.g., basis management with GRATs, PPLI, and DST/721s), and whether existing plans need adjustment under current estate tax laws (e.g., grantor trust status, relocating trusts to tax-favored states).

Andrew Bishop, CFA

Director and Senior Investment Strategist

Andrew Bishop is a Director and Senior Investment Strategist in Bernstein’s Washington, DC, office. As a member of the Wealth Strategies Group, he consults with advisors, their professional partners and clients as an expert in a wide field of complex investment planning topics for high-net-worth individuals and foundations. These topics include planning for the sale of a business, managing executive compensation awards, trust and estate planning techniques, charitable planning vehicles, and tax management strategies. As a member of Bernstein’s Private Client Investment Policy Group, he provides asset allocation, investment, and risk management advice for high-net-worth clients, endowments and foundations. Andrew joined Bernstein in March 2011 as a Private Client Associate. He began working in the Wealth Strategies Group in 2014, serving as an Analyst and subsequently a Senior Analyst in 2016 before being appointed to his current role in January 2020. In 2023, he was named a Senior Investment Strategist. Prior to joining Bernstein, he worked at Morgan Stanley in New York as an Associate in their Equity Derivative Client Service Group. Andrew graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a BS in accounting and a minor in finance. He is a CFA charterholder since 2012.

Kira Brown

Senior Analyst

Kira Brown is a Senior Analyst in Bernstein’s Washington, DC office. As a member of the Wealth Strategies Group, she provides complex wealth planning solutions and analytic support to high-net worth families and professional advisors. Kira joined Bernstein in September 2018 as a Wealth Strategies Coordinator and Private Wealth Associate. Kira moved into the Wealth Strategies Group in May 2022 and was promoted to her current role in October 2024. Kira graduated with honors from Colby College in Waterville, ME with a BA in Government and Managerial Economics.