Martinelli Discenza
JOHN MICHAEL DISCENZA took an early interest in estate planning. Following his graduation from Boston College (1978) with a degree in Economics, John was introduced to estate planning at Suffolk University Law School (1981) following which he pursued this specialty at the University of Miami School of Law (1982) where he obtained an LL.M in Estate Planning.
John began his practice at Ryan & White in 1982 where he had an opportunity to assist a host of Greater Springfield's leading business families in the preparation of sophisticated estate plans. He continued this practice at John Michael Discenza & Associates, P.C. which he started in 1991 and merged with Gary E. Martinelli & Associates, P.C. in 2004.
For several years, John taught estate and gift taxation and estate planning at Western New England College School of Law. Recently John has re-joined the adjunct faculty at Western New England College School of Law where he teaches estate and gift taxation in the graduate law Estate Planning and Elder Law program. This platform has enabled John to become a resident estate planning authority for a generation of other attorneys in Western Massachusetts and entitles him to recognition as the area's leading practitioner in this field. John has lectured and co-authored numerous publications for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a member and Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County.
In his experience, John found that much of the information database and strategic thinking used in the development of an estate plan can be applicable to lifetime financial plans as well. Given this link to financial planning together with John's participation as a member of the investment committee of several local charities, John co-founded Martinelli Discenza Investment Counsel, Inc. in 2000.
Today, John is both our law firm's senior estate planning and estate settlement lawyer and Martinelli Discenza Investment Counsel Inc.'s chief financial planning officer.
John is a member of the Massachusetts and Florida bars. He has served on the Boards of a number of local not-for-profit organizations, recently serving as Chair at Glenmeadow and Cathedral High School, and Treasurer at the Springfield Library and Museums Association.
John is the father of a twelve-year old daughter, Gabby, and is active in her academic and athletic affairs.
Email: john@martinellidiscenza.com
