Rachel Drude-Tomori is a partner at Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC, who focuses her practice in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate & Elder Law. Rachel takes a holistic approach to estate planning and is known in the industry for her creative, out-of-the-box thinking. She frequently assists individuals and business owners in protecting their legacies from government and creditor interference. She has developed estate plans for business owners, corporate executives, wealthy individuals, and professionals and their families with a wide range of estate planning objectives. She also develops estate plans for modest estates aiming to avoid probate and secure financial stability for loved ones.
Rachel also leads the firm’s robust probate and trust administration practice. Together, Rachel and her team of paralegals have more than 30 years’ experience navigating the complex maze of probate and trust laws that often frustrate and confuse families after the loss of a loved one. She is well-versed in areas that most probate attorneys shy away from, including will contests and Florida’s elective share laws. Rachel has earned a reputation in St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, and throughout Florida for finding common ground and mutually beneficial solutions even in the most contentious probate and trust disputes.
Rachel consistently has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine in the field of Estate Planning, a distinction received by less than 2.5% of attorneys in Florida. She has dedicated years of service to the St. Petersburg Bar Association, currently completing a 2-year term on the Executive Board (2019-2021) after serving a 2-year term as Chair of the Probate & Guardianship Section (2017-2019) and receiving the 2019 “Rockin’ Chair” Award for her leadership and fundraising achievements. Rachel also serves as President of St. Petersburg Toastmasters Club 2284, on the Planned Giving Committee for St. Anthony’s Hospital, and on the Board of Directors for Jump for Kids!, a local 501(c)(3) providing children with mentorship and exercise education and training.