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David W. Woodburn

Relationship Manager & Director of Business Development

David joined Western Reserve Trust Company in 2024 after nearly 27 years in private law practice where he focused primarily on estate planning, wealth transfer and succession planning, probate and trust administration, inheritance controversy litigation, and real estate law.  

As the Relationship Manager and Director of Business Development, David focuses his attention on providing concierge level service to clients and collaborating closely with clients’ other professional advisors to make sure the needs and goals of the clients are constantly being addressed. David works closely with professional advisors throughout the state and prides himself on working collaboratively to find the best solutions for the clients. 

Prior to joining WRTC, David worked with Roetzel & Andress, LPA in their Cleveland and Akron offices and, over the course of his career, has served in multiple leadership positions within his law firms. Over the years, David has been a frequent presenter and author on a wide array of estate planning and real estate related topics.  

David and his wife, Christine, live in Bath, Ohio and have three daughters. In his free time, David enjoys coaching volleyball, playing golf, running obstacle course races, and supporting the professional Cleveland sports teams.  

Education 

  • The University of Akron School of Law, (Juris Doctor, 1996) 
  • The University of Akron College of Business Administration (M.B.A., 1996) 
  • Miami University (Bachelor of Science, 1993) 

Bar Admission 

  • Ohio (1997) 

Recognitions 

  • Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Real Estate Law (2007-2024); Trusts and Estates (2007-2024); and Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2024) 
  • Selected as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine (2012-2020) 
  • Crain’s Cleveland Business “40 under Forty” award recipient 
  • Greater Akron Chamber “30 for the Future Award” award recipient (2010) 
  • Leadership Akron, Class XXII 

Community Affiliations 

  • Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Emeritus Trustee and Past President 
  • Rockynol Local Board, Trustee and Past President 
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Gift Planning Advisory Committee Member 
  • University of Akron MTax Governance Board Member 
  • Akron Tax & Estate Planning Council, Past President 
  • First United Methodist Church of Akron, Past Trustee 
  • Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation, Past Trustee 
  • St. Hilary School Board, Past President and Past Trustee 
  • Community Health Center Foundation, Past Trustee 
  • Stewart’s Caring Place (Akron), Past Trustee 

Recent Presentations 

  • “Creating Your Legacy During a Time of Inflation and Economic Uncertainty” – Cleveland Museum of Natural History (January 2023) 
  • “Business Succession Planning Breakout Session” – Panelist – Smart Business DealMakers Conference (2020) 
  • “Estate Planning Myths: Fact or Fiction” (2019) 
  • “Modifying & Decanting Irrevocable Trusts” – Cuyahoga Metropolitan Bar Association Probate Section (2017) 
  • “Creating a Legacy” – AXA Advisors Presentation (2017) 
  • “All New Inheritance Controversies – What to do When the Cocktail Waitress Inherits Everything 2.0” – The Ohio Society of CPAs (2016) 
  • “It’s Tax Time! Let’s Talk About Business Succession Planning” – The Ohio Society of CPAs (2015) 
  • “The Ohio Legacy Trust Act – Ohio’s Asset Protection Option” – Breakfast with Buckingham (2015) 
  • “Inheritance Controversies” – Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 39th Charitable Tax Seminar 
  • “Estate Planning for Your Aging Parents” – Breakfast with Buckingham (2015) 
  • “The Ohio Legacy Trust Act – Ohio’s Asset Protection Option” - In House Training – FirstMerit Trust, Cohen & Co., and Wells Fargo (2013-2014) 
  • “The Ohio Legacy Trust Act” – The Ohio Society of CPAs (2013) 
  • “Estate Planning for Oil and Gas Interests” – The University of Akron Tax Institute (2013) 
  • “Inheritance Controversies: Will Contests, Trusts Contests and Undue Influence” – Cleveland Society of Financial Service Professionals 
  • “Real Estate Issues for the Estate Planner” – 34th Annual Cleveland Estate Planning Institute 
  • “Will Contests: Start to Finish” – Akron Bar Probate Section
  • “Avoiding Pitfalls with Real Estate in Trust & Estate Administration” – American Bar Association Probate Section    

 

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