Attorney Profile

As the founder and principal shareholder in the San Diego law firm of Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli, Armstrong oversees a practice devoted to providing clients with the best in estate planning.

As founder of one of the most successful estate planning practices in the country, he is frequently sought out by attorneys from coast to coast who want his advice on how to build equally successful practices of their own.

Because of Armstrong’s deep commitment to helping these other attorneys, he co-founded the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys in 1993.

His first experience in providing products and services to other attorneys came when he helped found the first nationwide network for estate planning attorneys. As part of that organization, he helped create and market an advanced document assembly software system. His conviction that attorneys needed more than just technical support inspired the Academy.

Experience

Today, Armstrong is a widely acclaimed speaker and seminar leader on topics ranging from legal marketing, practice management, estate planning and asset protection.

His expertise in Living Trusts has made him a sought-after authority, and he has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, and Money Magazine. He provided estate planning expertise for the bestseller, Terry Savage on Money and has co-authored several books including Legacy Wealth Planning and Estate Planning Basics with Sanford M. Fisch, The E-Myth Attorney with Fisch and Michael Gerber, and Creating a Loving Trust Practice with Robert A. Esperti and Renno L. Peterson.

An outstanding spokesman for the advantages of Living Trusts, he has been a frequent guest on radio talk shows, and has also appeared on PBS and CBS news programs as an estate planning authority.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of California, and the San Diego County Bar. He has been practicing law since 1976.

Education

After four years in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, Armstrong attended the University of California at San Diego, where he graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in classical Greek.

Next, he attended the University of San Diego for his Juris Doctor. He was a staff writer for the Law Review and was awarded the prestigious American Jurisprudence Award for excellence in insurance law.

 

As a principal in the San Diego law firm of Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli, Sanford Fisch oversees a practice devoted to providing clients with exceptional estate planning guidance and peace of mind. This acclaimed estate planning practice has become a model of excellence for estate planning law firms across the country.

Believing that law is both a rewarding business and a noble profession, Sanford has dedicated himself not only to honing his own legal and technical expertise, but also to helping other attorneys improve their skills. His ardent desire and deep commitment to helping fellow attorneys drove him to co-found the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, an exclusive, membership organization serving the needs of attorneys and law firms nationwide.

Sanford approaches the practice of law with not just solid expertise, but also remarkable enthusiasm and vigor. By constantly seeking simpler, better and more effective ways of doing things, he continues to make a real difference in the lives of families, in the lives of attorneys and on the way estate planning law is practiced in the United States.

Experience

A solid legal education, including a Masters degree in tax law, was the foundation for Sanford’s career. In addition to building a prominent estate planning law firm, as well as co-founding the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, he has used innovative approaches to help families plan for a comfortable, crisis-free inheritance. Through his work at the Academy, he has become a recognized leader and much sought-after advisor, and consultant to law firms throughout the United States.

From 1982 through 1983, he worked as a Tax Specialist with Coopers and Lybrand, an international accounting firm. He also taught at the American College for Certified Financial Planners and Chartered Underwriters. He then started and served as principal of the Law Office of Sanford M. Fisch. In 1989, he joined forces with fellow estate planning attorney, Robert Armstrong and served as principal with Armstrong & Fisch, APLC and is currently a principal of Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli. In 1993, Sanford helped co-found the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.
Sanford is the co-author of several books including both Legacy Wealth Planning and Estate Planning Basics with Robert Armstrong, and The E-Myth Attorney with Armstrong and Michael Gerber.

Education

A solid legal education, including a Masters degree in tax law, was the foundation for Sanford’s career. He graduated magna cum laude from Boston University in 1977, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, where he was a member of the National Mortar Board Honor Society.

In 1980, he went on to earn his law degree from the University of San Diego, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for excellence in civil procedure. He was also published in the Law Review, “To Be or Not to Be – Tax is the Question?”

In 1982, Sanford earned a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) in Taxation, from Georgetown University Law Center.

Personal

Sanford is the Co-Founder and former Chairman of the San Diego Senior Olympics. He enjoys surfing, running, hiking, biking, basketball, martial arts and golf. He lives in Pacific Beach with his wife Julie, and their daughter Tahlia.