SmolenPlevy’s Dan Ruttenberg Presents Case Before U.S. Supreme Court

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On Monday, April 22, SmolenPlevy Principal Dan Ruttenberg presented an oral argument before the Supreme Court of the United States.  In the case of Hillman v. Maretta, a husband had life insurance through the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Plan and named his then-wife as his beneficiary.  When he divorced and later remarried, he failed to change who was designated the beneficiary of his policy. Upon his death, his ex-wife received the insurance proceeds.  His widow sought to recover the insurance benefits from his ex-wife.

During today’s hearing, Ruttenberg answered numerous questions posed to him by the panel of nine Supreme Court Justices.  Though the court won’t issue their decision for a few months, Ruttenberg is thrilled for the opportunity to appear before them.  “I never thought I’d have this opportunity,” he said.  “Being in front of the nine Justices was an amazing experience.”

And the lesson to be learned from this case?  According to Ruttenberg, “Make sure your estate plan is up to date, so you don’t have to go before the United States Supreme Court to get your final wishes fulfilled.”

Ruttenberg’s case is prominently featured on the front page of WTOP.com, and has received coverage from The Washington Post and The Huffington Post.  To learn more about the case, click here, or click this link to listen to Dan Ruttenberg on WTOP.

About the Author

Attorney Dan Ruttenberg

Daniel H. Ruttenberg

Daniel H. Ruttenberg, JD, CPA, LLM is a principal with the firm. Mr. Ruttenberg received his Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the University of Maryland. He earned his Juris Doctor with Honors from George Mason University School of Law and his Master of Laws in Taxation with Distinction from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Ruttenberg also served as the Director of the Fairfax Bar Association (FBA) for seven years. During this period, he was also elected president – the youngest in FBA history and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Fairfax Law Foundation.