Who We Work With | How We Work
Paul Bernstein, Attorney-at-Law
Paul Bernstein is a Massachusetts attorney who believes in helping families, individuals, and businesses preserve a lasting legacy through highly personalized and comprehensive plans.
Paul has been a resource for hundreds of families and businesses who seek to plan for and protect that which is most important to them. Paul is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having been admitted to the bar in 1992. He has been admitted as a member of the Bar of the State of Pennsylvania and is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court and the United States District Court.
Paul is the area’s only board-Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist, as certified by the Estate Law Specialist Board, the sole American Bar Association-accredited certification as an Estate Planning Law Specialist. Additionally, he is an Accredited Estate Planner*.
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Attorney Bernstein earned a BA degree in Political Science followed by a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Attorney Bernstein is a Founding Member of Wealth Counsel, a national collaboration of estate planning attorneys; Founder and a Director of the Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.; a former Director of the Board of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys; a member and former Director of the Essex County Estate Planning Council; and a member of the National Association of Trusts and Estates Professionals.
Paul has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Massachusetts School of Law. Paul is a frequent lecturer and educator, over the years teaching over 1,000 attorneys, CPAs and financial professionals through numerous continuing education organizations. He has also spoken to private groups across the country on various topics, including family protection planning, wealth preservation, and elder law.
Additionally, Paul has been a guest speaker for a variety of in-house and public seminars for financial institutions such as Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, Lincoln Financial Group, and Ameriprise.
Paul is committed to his own continuing education in advanced estate and business planning to ensure that the firm’s clients are receiving the most sophisticated planning techniques. Paul maintains the highest standard of client service. He listens closely to his clients’ goals and concerns, and then works with them to develop plans that are unique to their particular situation. Paul believes in helping his clients understand that planning is not just about saving tax dollars. Rather, he shows them that the value of planning for the future is also an appreciation of themselves and their loved ones.
*accredited by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, a private organization, whose standards for certification are not regulated by a state authority or the American Bar Association.
Lauren Fountain, Attorney-at-Law
Lauren joined the firm in 2021. She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Lauren believes that lawyers are in a unique position to get people through some of the most challenging times in life and is committed to being a partner with her clients through these moments. Lauren works closely with clients to understand their goals and their concerns when helping to draft them a comprehensive estate plan that gives them peace of mind through all stages of their life.
Lauren obtained her Bachelor of Science in 2016 from Stonehill College. After college, Lauren attended the Massachusetts School of Law at Andover where she obtained her Juris Doctorate Degree in 2019. In her time at law school, Lauren was the Vice President of the Student Bar Association, and a member of the mock trial team for the American Association for Justice.
Grace C. Bernstein, Director of Operations and Finance
Grace works with the firm to support the areas of finance, business planning and budgeting, human resources, administration, and marketing. In addition, she helps to provide a variety of workshops and training programs focused on improving the overall client experience. Having begun her career in health care, she joined the Bernstein Law Group in 2005.
Desirae A. Parker, Legal Assistant
Desirae joined the firm in 2022. She graduated from Salem State University with a bachelor’s degree. Desirae’s major was Criminal Justice and she minored in Legal Studies. Desirae is an excellent team player who is eager to grow and learn in the legal field. She provides a high level of customer service and professionalism in her interactions with others.