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The Center for Estate and Gift Planning

Meet the Staff

Stephanie Buckley, J.D., LL.M.

Stephanie

Director, Center for Estate and Gift Planning
Phone: (310) 506-4893
Fax: (310) 506-4859
Email: As the Director of the Center for Estate and Gift Planning at Pepperdine University, Stephanie works with current and prospective donors in raising major gifts, planned gifts, and in-kind gifts.  She identifies and creates estate and financial planning tools specific to donors' needs.  In addition, she is in charge of the Pepperdine Estate Planning Network (PEPNET) and organizes various planned giving presentations on behalf of Pepperdine University. 
Stephanie previously worked at Crescendo Interactive, Inc., where she taught numerous seminars, spoke for planned giving round tables across the country and supported clients on tax aspects of charitable giving.  Stephanie has also taught the Introduction to Planned Giving course offered through UCLA Extension.   
Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree with High Honors in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, her Juris Doctorate with a specialization in Business Law and Taxation from the University of California, Los Angeles, and completed her LL.M. in Taxation with Honors at Loyola Law School.  She currently serves as a board member for the Planned Giving Counsel of Ventura County and the Planned Giving Round Table of Southern California. 
Stephanie is a member of the State Bar of California.

Curt Portzel, J.D., M.T.S.

Curt

Associate Director
Phone: (310) 506-4003
Fax: (310) 506-4859
Email:
Curt Portzel joins the Center for Estate and Gift Planning from Atlanta, Georgia, where he practiced law for eight years, most recently with the law firm of McGuireWoods, LLP.  His role as a Associate Director includes developing charitable gifts that will benefit Pepperdine students, as well as helping donors incorporate charitable giving into their financial plans and structuring gifts to meet tax and estate planning objectives. 
Curt's real estate experience is a great asset to the Center, particularly when developing complex real property gifts.  Prior to entering private practice, Curt attended Emory University where he completed a Masters of Theological Studies while also earning his Juris Doctorate.  Curt graduated from Seaver College with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in 1992. 
Curt is admitted to practice law in California and Georgia.  

Thomas F. Caldwell III, J.D., M.B.A.

Tom

Planned Giving Officer and Legal Counsel
Phone:(310) 506-7606
Fax: (310) 506-4859
Email: thomas.caldwell@pepperdine.edu
Thomas Caldwell joined CEGP in 2009 from a career in private practice where he focused on complex real estate transactions and financing, estate planning, and non-profit law. Prior to that Thomas was Counsel for Guitar Center, Inc., a then-public company where he negotiated complex commercial real estate leases, contributed to an aggressive corporate acquisition strategy, and handled general corporate legal matters. Thomas graduated from the University of
Colorado, Boulder in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Finance and a minor in International Business. His Juris Doctor degree was obtained from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2005. Additionally, Thomas graduated from the Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business Management with a Masters of Business Administration. Thomas studied international business and finance in Denmark and Mexico, and participated in Pepperdine's London program. He is admitted to the State of Bar of California and the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Additionally, Thomas is very active with local non-profits and ministries, sitting on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity - San Fernando/ Santa Clarita Valleys and is a founder and board member of Emerging Light, a charitable organization that works primarily with foster children.