Jim Leese is a Partner in the law firm of Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo, LLP, having been a member of the firm for over 35 of his 45 years of practice.
Growing up in rural areas of Southwestern Ohio taught him the Midwestern values, ethics, and morals that guide his life today. His Christian faith is at the center of his practice; it guides him to serve others individually and build relationships with each client, whether the engagement is large or small. Because of the depth of his experience, Jim explores more than financial issues with each client. He helps them see how they can pass not only money but family values from one generation to the next.
Jim fulfills his mission of serving each client through his comprehensive knowledge of all facets of estate planning, trust, and probate law. He now specializes primarily in the transactional aspects of estate planning and business succession planning.
Financial planning is about so much more than numbers. As Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo expands its global reach, Jim’s ability to work collaboratively with clients and their advisors has become increasingly important. The intricate interplay of family dynamics, transfer matters, and tax issues requires wise and seasoned guidance delivered through a team-based approach. As the Chair of the Firm’s Estate Planning and Trust Administration Practice Group, Jim continues to mentor the next generation of estate-planning attorneys within the firm. His colleagues and clients know he delivers exceptional work; his expertise is also formally recognized. He has been a Certified Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Specialist for over two decades.
In his spare time, Jim attends a local church and a Men’s Bible Study to learn and grow in faith. As a father of a child with autism, much of his time is dedicated to his son, whose needs have given him first-hand experience of what to do and not to do in estate planning for children with special needs.
