Michael Ripp practices in the areas of private placement life insurance, trust, and asset protection planning and is also board certified as a specialist in the area of estate planning and probate law. A significant portion of Mr. Ripp’s practice includes advice to hedge fund and fund of funds managers regarding the establishment and operation of insurance dedicated funds (IDFs), including an IDF’s legal and business relationships with domestic and international insurance carriers. Mr. Ripp also represents individuals and family offices in the design and implementation of domestic and international trust, investment, and life insurance structures, including the tax planning and compliance aspects of such structures. In addition, he counsels major financial institutions and boutique financial service providers on matters of interest to the ultra high net worth marketplace.

Education
Washington University School of Law (J.D., 1997)
Texas A&M University (B.B.A., Business Analysis, 1994)

Professional Affiliations
Board Certified, Estate Planning and Probate Law (Texas Board of Legal Specialization)
American Bar Association
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Business Law Section
- Taxation Section
State Bar of Texas
- Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Business Law Section
- Taxation Section
Austin Bar Association
- Estate Planning and Probate Law Section
- Director, 2001 - 2005
- Treasurer, 2004 - 2005
- Business, Corporation and Taxation Section
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
College of the State Bar of Texas
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
Texas Rising Star (2004 through 2007), Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines

Professional Presentations and Publications
“Solidify Market Understanding Through Comprehensive Q&A with Seasoned IDF Managers,” Panelist, IIR’s 6th Annual Event: Alternative Investing Through Life Insurance and Annuities (Miami, Florida; February 2008)

“Trend Focus: Are Annuities Gaining Ground on Life Insurance?” IIR’s 5th Annual Event: Alternative Investing Through Life Insurance and Annuities (Miami, Florida; February 2007)

“Private Placement Life Insurance Planning,” ALI-ABA Estate Planning Course Materials Journal (June/August 2006)

“Estate Planning Opportunities with Private Placement Life Insurance,” Texas Bar Continuing Legal Education Conference Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course (Houston, Texas; June 2006)

“Life Insurance and Annuity Basics: Product, Tax and Regulatory Issues” and “Updating and Clarifying the Legal Issues in the PPLI Marketplace,” IIR’s 4th Annual Event: Hedge Fund Investing through Life Insurance and Annuities (Coconut Grove, Florida; February 2006)

“Back to Basics: Revisit the Fundamentals and Convergence of Hedge Funds, PPLI’s & Annuities” and “Key Concerns in Complying with Tax Regulations,” FRA’s 3rd Annual Event: Insurance & Annuity-Based Hedge Fund Investing Forum (New York, New York; December 2005)

“Life Insurance and Annuity Basics: Product, Tax and Regulatory Issues” and “Legal Issues and Structures: What’s going on in the PPLI Marketplace,” IBC’s 3rd Annual National Event: Hedge Fund Investing through Life Insurance and Annuities (New York, New York; June 2005)

“Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning and Probate,” Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas (San Antonio, Texas; June 2004)

“Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning and Probate,” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (San Antonio, Texas; June 2004)

“Estate and Disability Planning: The Basics,” Business & Professional Women’s Organization – Austin/Capitol City Chapter (Austin, Texas; March 2002)

“Basic Estate Administration for the Texas Paralegal,” National Business Institute’s Institute for Paralegal Education (Austin, Texas; January 2001)

“Tax, Fiduciary, and Other Issues Regarding Financial Powers of Attorney,” Speaker, Advanced Trust School, Texas Bankers Association (San Antonio, Texas; September 2000)

“What Every Estate Planner Needs to Know about Intellectual Property,” Co-Author, Twelfth Annual Wills & Probate Institute, University of Houston Law Foundation (Houston, Texas; September 1998)