Kevin Urbatsch

Kevin Urbatsch is the principal attorney of The Urbatsch Law Firm, based in Berkeley,
California. He specializes in special needs, estate, and settlement planning. He is a Certified
Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law by the California State Bar and a fellow of
the prestigious American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), an elite organization
comprising the top 1% of estate planning professionals nationwide.

As the National Director of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), Kevin leads over
500 professionals dedicated to special needs planning. His dedication to protecting the rights of
individuals with disabilities has earned him numerous awards, including recognition as a Top
Child Advocate by Parenting magazine and the Presidential Recognition Award from the
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).

Kevin is highly regarded for his teaching and expertise. He has been a featured speaker for over
150 seminars nationwide, including programs for the Center for Judicial Education and
Research, the FFIEC, and AICPA. His work also extends internationally, having served as an
expert witness in a United Kingdom case involving California’s laws on disability and public
benefits.

Kevin has authored or co-authored numerous leading texts, including Special Needs Trusts:
Protecting Your Child’s Financial Future (10th edition, 2023) and Administering the California
Special Needs Trust (3rd edition, 2020). He also serves as the Attorney-Editor for the award-
winning CEB publication Special Needs Trusts: Planning, Drafting, and Administration and has
contributed to various legal journals on special needs law, settlement planning, and public
benefits.

Kevin successfully led a consortium of professionals to depublish Scott v. McDonald, a critical
appellate court decision that threatened to undermine special needs trusts. His thought leadership
and advocacy have shaped legal standards and public policy for individuals with disabilities.
Kevin’s significant contributions include serving as Editor-in-Chief of the NAELA Journal for
five years, and he continues to offer his expertise as a speaker and educator for judges, attorneys,
and fiduciaries. He hosts the annual Special Needs Planning Symposium, a major event attended
by nearly 500 professionals seeking to expand their knowledge in special needs law.
In addition to his leadership roles, Kevin is actively involved with numerous professional
organizations, including NAELA, CANHR, and WealthCounsel. He is also the legal counsel for
the California CPT Special Needs Trust, providing critical services to individuals with
disabilities while preserving their eligibility for public benefits like SSI and Medi-Cal.
Kevin’s deep commitment to advocating for individuals with disabilities, combined with his
extensive legal experience, has made him one of the leading voices in special needs and
settlement planning law.