We were lucky to catch up with Dion Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dion, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new firm – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

As a newly licensed Professiona Fiduciary, I joined the Professional Fiduciary Association of California. I attended one of PFAC’s monthly luncheons where I was fortunate enought to sit across from veteran Fiduciary, Julie Lubitz. We chatted and hit it off and by the end of lunch I had the number of six attorney’s that Julie felf could refer cases to me. I called all six. I think four called me back and two of them met me for lunch. Of those two, one of them called me a few months later with my first case. I remember I was in Home Depot when I recieved the call and I was dancing in the aisle. My first case was serving as a succuessor trustee on a Living Trust. The trustor and beneficiary was a wonderfu woman and I was happy to serve in that role until her passing a few years later. It was a learning experience to say the least!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I came from a hospitality background so breaking into the world of professional fidcuiary management was a huge leap for me. I initially heard about fiduciary management from a neighbor friend of mine, Mike Narey. I had recently been appointed as Power of Attorney / Representative Payee for my mom because she was having trouble managing her accounts and her Social Security. As I was discussing this process with Mike over a beer in the courtyard of our apartment complex, he let me know about fiduciary management. I had never heard the term before. I went home, did a Google deep dive and enrolled in Cal State Fullerton’s Fiduciary Management course that day. Something just clicked and I thought to myself, “I can do this.”

Looking way back, I think the seed was actually planted in the eartly 1980’s. My gram was taking care of her elderly aunt. I lived with my mom and gram and Gram’s Aunt Bob when I was a kid. I know, Aunt Bob sounds weird but that was her name. She was quite elderly and needed to be fed and cared for completely. She had crystal blue eyes, her hair was white as snow and every once in awhile she would ask me for for a cigarette. Aunt Bob lived with us until she passed and although a lot of that was too much for a kid to truly process, taking care of people that need it, that I could process.

As a licensed professional fiduciary I can administer trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, probates, etc. Basically any matter that would fall under the jurisdiction of the Probate Court I can, for a fee, privately manage, whether or not the matter is under court supervision. Assuming these responsibilties when a family needs it the most can be very rewarding as it allows families to be families. These administrations are many times complicated for any number of different reasons and for a professional to be able to execute these documents from a position of experience and neutrality is worth every penny.

I think the one thing that sets me apart is my mix of both professional and customer service skills. As I said, I come from hospitality so many times I find myself refering to my clients and colleagues as “guests” and offering them the five star customer service that has really been ingrained in me. I am fortunate to work in an industry full of dedicated, brilliant professionals so to bring that level of customer service to my clients and collegues makes for a nice touch.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I think simply doing a thoughtful, thorough job on every case that crosses my desk. Every matter matters, no matter how big or small or how complicated or simple. I would like to think that my attitude and work ethic show up on every one and that hopefully gets noticed.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

That’s easy, attorneys! San Diego is fortunate to have a really qualified, caring group of trust and probate attorneys to choose from. When the time comes to draft an estate plan which should include the four cornerstone documents: a trust, a will, a durable power of attorney and an advanced health care directive. I hope you will consider choosing me or any other professional fiduciary to serve as successor on all your documents.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.finestcityfiduciary.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-m-davis-43482a47