Practice Areas
Education
University of Texas School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2005
University of Texas at Austin, B.A., cum laude, 2001
Honors
Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2018-present
Texas Super Lawyer, 2019-present
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2019-present
"Top Lawyer" by Houstonia Magazine, 2019-present
40 Under 40, Houston Business Journal, 2015
Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, 2015
“Top Lawyer” by H Magazine, 2012-2015
Up-and-Coming 100: Texas Rising Stars, 2017- 2019
Rising Star, Estate Planning & Administration, 2012, 2014-2019
Marvin Key Collie Endowed Presidential Scholar in Tax Law, 2004-2005
Research Assistant to the distinguished Professor Stanley M. Johanson, 2004-2005
Bar Admissions
Texas
Board Certified Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Profile
Brett Berly is a Shareholder in the Firm’s Trusts & Estates section. He focuses his practice on the representation of high net-worth individuals and fiduciaries of trusts and estates with respect to estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, closely-held business succession planning as well as probate and fiduciary litigation matters.
As a cancer survivor, Brett brings a unique perspective to his practice, drawing on his personal experience to help structure plans for clients that satisfy both their personal and financial goals and objectives.
Seminars & Presentations
- WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND WHAT DO I DO NOW – TRANSFER PLANNING IDEAS IN UNCERTAIN TIMES AND HOW TO REPORT THEM (2021)
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STORM PREPPERS: ESTATE PLANNING STYLE (2020)
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WHEN PARTING ISN’T SORROW: A DISCUSSION OF DISCLAIMERS IN ESTATE PLANNING (2019)
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SIMPLICITY – THE ESTATE PLANNER’S WHITE WHALE: ESTATE PLANNING FOR THE (CURRENTLY) NON-TAXABLE ESTATE (2018)
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THE HEART OF DARKNESS: A JOURNEY INTO THE GST JUNGLE (2017)
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IN GOD WE TRUST; ALL OTHERS MUST PAY CASH: BEST PRACTICES FOR INTRAFAMILY LOANS (2017)
- THE PROPOSED §2704 REGULATIONS: IS THIS GRINCH GOING TO STEAL YOUR CHRISTMAS? (2016)
- THE FAMILY GAME OF THRONES: A PLANNER'S GUIDE TO DRAFTING EFFECTIVE BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANS (2015)
- TO LOVE, HONOR AND MAINTAIN SEPARATE PROPERTY: AN ESTATE PLANNER'S GUIDE TO PROTECTING A SPOUSE'S PROPERTY RIGHTS (2014)
- YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU... BUT YOUR SPOUSE CAN!: HOW PORTABILITY WORKS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS (2014)
- THE ROLLERCOASTER HAS FINALLY STOPPED!: ESTATE PLANNING IN 2013 AND BEYOND (2013)
- THE 123s OF GST WHAT EVERY PRACTITIONER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX (2012)
- FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS: CHANGING LAWS, FAMILY DYNAMICS, AND HOW THEY IMPACT A SUCCESSFUL ESTATE PLAN (2012)
- THE FULL MONTY ON CLOSELY HELD BUSINESS PLANNING: CREATING A PLAN THAT COVERS ALL ANGLES (2011)
- CROSS BORDER TAX ISSUES (2011)
- THE TAX THAT FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST – SORTING THROUGH THE INSANITY THAT IS THE FEDERAL ESTATE TAX (2010)
- PLANNING PITFALLS AND POSSIBILITIES WITH RETIREMENT ACCOUNT BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS (2010)
- IS IT TIME TO TRUST YOUR IRA BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION? A DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES RELATED TO DESIGNATING A TRUST AS THE BENEFICIARY OF YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (2009)
- AN ESTATE PLANNING POTLUCK! A DISCUSSION OF LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS, RECENT FLP CASES, RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLANNING STRATEGIES AND ALTERNATE VALUATION ISSUES (2009)
- SO, YOU LIVE IN MONACO? ASSET PROTECTION PLANNING FOR THE REST OF US (2008)
- PROCRASTINATION – HOW TO GUARANTEE ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR RETIREMENT ASSETS AT DEATH (2007)
- DESPERATE CLIENTS: A SELECTION OF ESTATE, GIFT AND INCOME TAX ISSUES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WISTERIA LANE (2007)
- WHAT IS IT WORTH? AN OVERVIEW OF VALUATION ISSUES, APPLICABLE STATUTES OF LIMITATION AND ACCURACY RELATED PENALTIES IMPACTING ESTATE AND GIFT RETURNS (2006)
Professional and Charitable Affiliations
- Camp For All, Member of the Board of Directors and Past Chairman of the Young Professionals Board of Directors
- Houston Estate and Financial Forum, Director
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Exam Commission Member - Estate Planning and Probate Law
- Texas Bar CLE, Estate Planning and Probate Intermediate Course Planning Committee Member, 2016, 2017
- American Law Institute CLE Estate Planning, Law Advisory Panel Member, 2016 - Present
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
- American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust
- State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trusts Section
- Houston Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section
- Adopt an Angel Program, Firm Liaison, 2009 - Present
News
News
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka ranked in the top ten U.S. tax law firms by Chambers & Partners 2022 USA GuideJune 2, 2022
- Houstonia names Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys as 2021-2022 Top LawyersHoustonia, December 1, 2021
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka's 43rd Annual Tax and Business Planning Seminar is virtual on November 2-4, 2021. Register to participate.November 2, 2021
- Texas Super Lawyers names Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys to 2021 ListSeptember 21, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America® selects 54 Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys for Recognition for 2022August 19, 2021
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka attorneys are ranked in Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Corporate, Criminal Defense, Employee Benefits, Energy, Immigration, Insurance, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, Tax, and Trust & EJune 22, 2021
- Houstonia Magazine names Chamberlain Attorneys as 2021 Top LawyersHoustonia Magazine, November 30, 2020
- Virtual This Year! Chamberlain Hrdlicka Virtual Annual Tax and Business Planning Seminar is November 10-12, 2020November 10, 2020
- Quote by Brett Berly in article on "Election Results ease Estate Tax Fears"Bloomberg Tax, November 9, 2020
- Super Lawyers names Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys as 2020 Texas Super LawyersOctober 19, 2020
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Attorneys Named to US News – 2021 Best Lawyers in America®, Three Attorneys Recognized as Lawyer of the YearAugust 20, 2020
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka Tax Alert - Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Tax IssuesMay 21, 2020
- Chambers Individual and Practice Rankings for 2020May 4, 2020
- Brett Berly quoted in "Virus Chaos Creates Opening for Millionaires to Slash Tax Bills"Bloomberg Tax, April 20, 2020
- Chamberlain Trust & Estates Update - April 17, 2020April 17, 2020
- Chamberlain Trust and Estates UpdateApril 6, 2020
- December 2019
- October 30, 2019
- Attorneys with national law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka have been selected to the 2019 Texas Super Lawyers listSeptember 3, 2019
- August 15, 2019
- May 10, 2019
- March 7, 2019
- December 2018
- Chamberlain Hrdlicka again named a "Best Law Firm" by US NewsNovember 1, 2018
- October 26, 2018
Presentations
Seminars & Presentations
- 43rd Annual Tax and Business Planning Virtual Seminar is on November 2-4, 2021November 4, 2021
- November 10, 2020
- Norris Conference Center at City Centre, October 30, 2019
- Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk, November 28, 2018
- Houston Marriott Westchase, October 30, 2018