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What happens legally when someone passes away? What happens when an adult can no longer make certain decisions independently? And where do probate and guardianship attorneys step in when these major life events occur?

Join the Probate, Guardianship Law, Estates & Trusts Society (PGLETS) for lunch and conversation about "When Life Happens," an engaging and informative introduction to probate and guardianship law. Over lunch, students will hear from Texas Law alumni whose experiences provide distinct perspectives on these practice areas. Rather than beginning with the code, the conversation will begin with the real-life events that trigger probate and guardianship law and explore how attorneys and courts help individuals and families navigate what happens next. Lunch is generously sponsored by Troutman Pepper Locke.

We are excited to welcome Emma Jane Hopper ’25, Associate Attorney with the fiduciary litigation team at Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, LLP. A graduate of the Texas Law, Emma focuses her practice on matters involving trusts, probate, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation. During her time at Texas Law, Emma founded PGLETS and developed several probate and guardianship related pro bono initiatives through the Mithoff Pro Bono Program, including wills clinics, alternatives-to-guardianship clinics, and a court visitor program in partnership with the Travis County Probate Courts. Her work earned her recognition as a National Jurist Law Student of the Year and the Texas Access to Justice Commission’s Law Student Pro Bono Award.

Joining will be Nolan Bedward ’22, an Associate Attorney at Savrick Schumann Johnson McGarr Kaminski & Shirley, LLP and graduate of the Texas Law. Nolan brings a unique perspective shaped by experience both inside the probate court system and in private practice. He previously served as a Law Clerk and Staff Attorney with the Travis County Probate Court, gaining firsthand experience with probate and guardianship matters and the procedures through which they move through the court. Nolan later practiced at Jackson Walker before joining Savrick Schumann, where he continues his practice as a litigation attorney. His experience across the court, Big Law, and private litigation practice provides students with insight into both the substantive work of probate and the different career paths through which attorneys can encounter these areas of law.

We are also excited to welcome Kit Matthews ’26, an Associate in the Private Wealth Management group at Troutman Pepper Locke and a graduate of Texas Law. During her time at Texas Law, Kit served as President of PGLETS, helping lead the organization and connect students with opportunities to learn more about probate. Now practicing in private wealth management, Kit will offer students the perspective of a recent Texas Law graduate beginning her career in the trusts and estates field and insight into the transactional and planning side of this practice area.

Together, Emma, Nolan, and Kit will introduce students to “When Life Happens," the moments of death, incapacity, family change, and conflict that can trigger probate or guardianship proceedings. Through a conversational but informative discussion, they will explore when these areas of law come into play, the types of matters probate and guardianship attorneys handle, how contested and uncontested proceedings may differ, and what practicing in t