Flaster Greenberg is saddened to announce that Charles K. Plotnick (“Charlie”), an accomplished attorney of more than 65 years and cherished member of the legal community, passed away on December 2, 2024, at the age of 93.
Plotnick dedicated his life to judiciously advocating for his clients in the areas of estate law and estate administration. Recently retired from the practice of law, he made monumental contributions to the legal field and left a lasting impression on all who knew and worked with him.
Plotnick was a 1953 graduate of Temple University and earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1956.
In 1991, together with estates attorney Jonathan Ellis, he founded Plotnick & Ellis PC headquartered in Jenkintown, PA. Under their leadership, the firm became recognized as a premier boutique estates planning law firm in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. During the firm’s three-decade tenure, Plotnick was instrumental in securing the boutique law firm's recognition by Philadelphia Magazine for “Best in Client Satisfaction."
In January 2019, after nearly a year of discussions between the two firms, both Plotnick and Ellis made the strategic decision to merge their then 13-member law firm with Flaster Greenberg, aligning the business models of each firm and ultimately offering clients a broader spectrum of legal services. Plotnick’s vision was further brought to fruition with the opening and expansion of the firm’s West Conshohocken office, enhancing the presence that had been established in Jenkintown.
Plotnick was known not only for his legal acumen but also for his personal dedication to his clients and for educating those studying the law. He was a prolific writer and best-selling author. He contributed his time and knowledge to numerous legal organizations, and for 12 years served as an Adjunct Professor of Estate Planning in the Graduate School of Business at Temple University. He was highly respected and widely recognized in his field as a trusted and empathetic advisor to his clients.
Business and law partner for more than 30 years, Jon Ellis reflects on Charlie’s professional and personal life and leadership. Ellis says, “Charlie was a special person and attorney. He had a tremendous ability to connect with individuals and families during stressful times. His compassion and wisdom will be greatly missed.”
Over the course of his impressive career, Plotnick was named a “5 Star Estate Planner” by Philadelphia Magazine and was given the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council’s 2013 Distinguished Estate Planner Award, honoring him for outstanding contributions in the field of estate planning. He was again selected as a "5 Star Wealth Manager" based on Overall Client Satisfaction by Philadelphia Magazine in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.
He was co-author of a best seller on Estate Planning, Get Rich/Stay Rich, published by Doubleday and Company, Inc. as well as The Executor’s Manual, through the same publisher. He co-authored The New Book Of Trusts, a guide to each type of Trust used in Estate Planning, and co-authored How To Settle An Estate, originally published by Consumer Reports and later available as a Penguin book. He also was co-author of Keeping Your Money, published by John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
His articles were selected for reprinting by the Judge Advocate General’s School, U.S. Army. He was the author of numerous magazine articles on estate planning, and was quoted in the New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, Fortune Magazine, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, Standard and Poor’s, and Bottom Line, among other leading newspapers and periodicals, and was a contributing author to the Dow Jones-Irwin edition of the Handbook of Estate Planning. He appeared on numerous radio and television programs throughout the country. Before entering private practice in Montgomery County, PA, Plotnick worked for the Office of the Chief Attorney of the U.S. Veterans Administration.
In 1973, Plotnick served as Director and President of the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council and as Co-Chairman of the national meeting, and from 1974-1980, he served as Regional Vice-President of the National Association of Estate Planning Councils.
In 1983, he was chosen as “Man Of The Year” by the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council. A member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, Plotnick served as Law Day Chairman from 1970 through 1978, as a Director from 1974 through 1976, and as Chairman of the Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee in 1979. In 2007, he was honored for his 50 years of service to the Montgomery County Bar Association and to the Courts of Montgomery County. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations and was listed in Who’s Who In America.
Plotnick is survived by his wife of 70 years Diane Plotnick, Steven Plotnick (Susan), Amy Brody (Dr. Joshua), grandchildren, Lisa (Jeffrey), Benjamin (Jane-Randolph), Lauren (John), Gregory (Jillian) and Ian; together with nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Joseph Levine & Sons Memorial Chapel, Inc. in Trevose, PA.
