Meet Todd Larsen of Boyce Larsen in Decatur

Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Larsen.

Todd, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and having lived primarily in Iowa, my family moved to the Atlanta area in 1994, but never lost my Midwestern sensibilities. I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in 2002. I graduated from the College of Law at Georgia State University in May of 2007, and I was barred in October of that same year. I received my LL.M. (legal masters) in Taxation Law from the University of Alabama in 2010.

Prior to opening my first practice in 2009, I worked for the Law Offices of L. David Wolfe in Atlanta. While there, David Wolfe instilled in me an approach to treating all clients and their cases with diligence, ingenuity, perseverance to never leave any stone unturned, and to always be willing to go to the mat for a client. Most of all, however, David also taught me to always view situations with a dry sense of humor and to not let situations get the better of me, especially during those times with things do go well for you or your client. As long as you do good work for your clients and keep up the struggle, things will work out in the end.

Another important reason why I am where I am today is due to my parents, especially my mother, Janice. She always taught me (sometimes more than I’d care to hear) that if I commit to something, it better be worthwhile and that I should be ready to give it my all. Kind of like the saying, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right.” Also, my mother never stopped caring for others. She showed it not through her words, but through her deeds. She instilled in me the sense that I should always try to give back in some fashion to others, which I try to do through my pro bono work or through my church in Midtown.

Over the years, I have developed my practice to focus primarily in the areas of estate and probate law (such as estate planning, litigation, and administration) and business law (planning and litigation. In addition with enjoying the areas of law, I appreciate the impact my work has had in the lives of my clients, as it touches on so many aspects that are near and dear to their hearts, such as making arrangements for the care of loved ones after death or simply starting a new business for the first time.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Whenever I talk with other friends of mine and they tell me they are going out on their own for the first time, I jokingly (somewhat) give this bit of advice: “If you weren’t a manic depressive beforehand, you soon will become one.” There will always be ups and downs, everyday struggles that wear on you. In the beginning, in one month, you might sign up a record amount of clients and be on top of the world. The next month, you could have weeks without a phone call and begin to doubt your worth as a lawyer. Clients can come and go for reasons beyond your control. Much like relationships in general, firm partners may come into your business life at certain times and then leave, but it always serves for what I believe to be for some greater purpose: to learn and grow, professionally and personally. As long as you understand and weather the ups and downs, but can see long-term trends of growth or fulfillment, then you are making the right decisions in general. In addition to that, if you are mindful of and make the time to take care of your health (physical and mental), you will be in great shape.

Please tell us about Boyce Larsen.
My law firm is Boyce Larsen. My area of practice deals with estate and probate law, as well as business law. On the estate and probate side of things, I represent people for estate planning needs, as well as others who need representation in probate court. My planning clients can range from simple wills and powers of attorney to complex estates that require intricate tax and trust planning to help reduce any tax liability. I enjoy this area of law because clients place a great deal of trust in me to ensure that their loved ones will be taken care of after they pass away. I’m always taken back by this as well as the appreciation that clients show in return. I also appreciate this area of law as it presents a lot of opportunities for creativity in planning options for a client’s estate.

My probate practice focuses on probate administration and litigation. Clients in these situations have often lost a loved one and will have difficulties in navigating through what there is to do after someone has passed away. Unfortunately, when relatives pass away leaving money, this often leads to infighting with family members and beneficiaries. I help me protect my clients from opportunists seeking to make a quick profit through misdeeds and calculation. This practice can range from will contests, heir determinations, removal of executors or holding them accountable, guardianship and conservatorships, or shielding surviving family members from creditors.

My business law practice focuses on formation, planning and contracts, as well as litigation and dispute resolution. This can cover the whole gambit of events that a business owner may encounter throughout the life of her/his business. Lately, I’ve developed part of my practice to focus on the needs of clients focused on literary works, artistry, and entertainment. Additionally, I focus on the needs of individuals who own or participate exclusively in social media based businesses via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. These are new and developing areas of commerce, branding, and marketing that need to fully appreciate the importance of having adequate legal protections for their ideas and services.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
To be calmer in the beginning. Understand business ups and downs are to be expected and to be endured. Failures are not the end, as long as you take to heart their unique lessons. Beyond that, remember to do good work and never give up, and you will be end up all right.

Pricing:

• Non-litigation/Drafting Rate – $250 to $300 per hour
• Litigation Rate – $300 to $350 per hour

Contact Info:

• Address: 914 Church Street
  Decatur, Georgia 30030
• Website: www.boycelarsen.com
• Phone: 404-445-7799
• Email: tlarsen@boycelarsen.com

Image Credit:
Charles Bridgers, Squirrel Census LLC, That Dood Squad, LLC, Georgia Lawyers for the Arts

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.