David A. Pickler, J.D., CFP, ChFC
President and CEO

David began his career in the investment business over 25 years ago. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree in 1980 and from Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis, with Juris Doctor Degree in 1985. He was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1986 and maintains an active practice emphasizing Tax and Estate Planning. In 2000, David joined a select group of attorneys admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and is considered one of the leading estate planning advisors in the nation.

David and his wife, Beth, have two children: Chris and Katie. Chris, a graduate of Houston High School and Washington University in St. Louis, is a security technology expert with Shelby County Schools and has earned a master's candidate in cyber security. Katie, also a graduate of Houston High school, is currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University where she is majoring in organizational communications.

David Pickler has built his personal and professional life on the principles of community service, civic leadership, and philanthropic investment. Beth and David began their community involvement with PTA in their children's schools. David was elected to Shelby County School Board of Education in 1998 and has served as chairman for more than a decade. He serves on the Executive Board of the Tennessee School Boards Association and was association President in 2009. In July, 2008, David was selected to serve as the Southern Region Director for the National School Boards Association. He has twice been honored as Tennessee School Board Member of the Year.

Both Beth and David are actively involved with Memphis Oral School for the Deaf where David serves as Chairman of their board and coordinated their capital campaign and construction of MOSD's first permanent home in Germantown, Tennessee.

David's passion for our community is demonstrated though his dedication to community service, volunteerism, and leadership development. David has been an active volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America for over two decades. He has served as Cub Master, Boy Scout leader, and as Council Vice President for the Chickasaw Council. He has served on the national staff for the past three Boy Scout National Jamborees and is the National Boy Scout Council Representative. He has chaired the biennial Scout Base since 2000. Under David's leadership, Scout Base has grown to become America's largest council sponsored event delivering "Scouting at its Best" to over 15,000 scouts.

Long recognized as the outstanding community service organization in the City of Germantown, the Kiwanis Club delivers excellence in supporting the children of our area. During his year as President, David earned recognition as Distinguished Club President and the Germantown Club was recognized as the outstanding club in the District. David served as Governor of the Great and Historic Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District for 2007-2008. As Governor, David established the first permanent District Major Emphasis Project, an initiative to place at least one Automated External Defibrillator in every school in Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Tennessee.

In order that his philanthropic efforts may be sustained, David has established the Pickler Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to supporting children's charities and educational initiatives throughout our community. The foundation will be endowed on an annual basis through donations from Pickler Wealth Advisors and the Pickler Law Firm. David is also co-author of the book "Memphis Profiles in Courage". It is David's intent to leave a legacy founded upon his beliefs of community investment and civic engagement.

Matthew A. Rhoads, J.D.

Matthew has been with the Pickler Law Firm since October of 2007. Matthew is responsible for comprehensive estate planning and handles a wide variety of cases for the Pickler Law Firm. In addition to estate planning, Matthew handles probate administration, corporate formation (including non-profit foundations), personal injury, family law, tax law, and civil dispute resolution. He routinely meets with clients to review legal documents and establish long-term planning strategies, ranging from wealth transfers to tax savings to asset protection.

Matthew is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth. While a student, he excelled in legal writing and was actively involved in Moot Court. Matthew was a national finalist in the 2007 ABA National Moot Court Competition, having authored his team's appellate brief, which placed second in the nation. Matthew was awarded Order of the Barristers in May of 2007. He passed both the Texas and Tennessee Bar Exams and currently is licensed to practice in Tennessee.

He is a Cum Laude graduate of Mississippi State University, with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Graphic Design. A lifelong community resident, Matthew graduated Magna Cum Laude from Houston High in 1999. That year, he was selected into Houston High's Hall of Fame.

Active in sports, Matthew enjoys soccer, basketball, running, and weights. Matthew coaches youth soccer for Germantown United Methodist Church. He attends First Evangelical Church.

Matthew is an active member of the Tennessee and Memphis Bar Associations.

Matthew F. VanCleve, J.D.

Matt is the newest member of the Pickler Law Firm, where he is an associate attorney with a practice that includes estate planning, family law, civil dispute resolution, contracts and organizational formations. He also manages the firm's technology, marketing, and pro bono initiatives.

Matt first joined Pickler Companies as an intern in 2005 prior to beginning his legal studies at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, FL. Matt graduated Cum Laude in May 2010 and was recognized for his outstanding pro-bono work. As a certified legal intern during his senior year, Matt worked at Florida Coastal's Family Law clinic where he represented clients in all phases of family law cases. He also served as a Legal Writing Teaching Assistant and as a Research Assistant to professors at Florida Coastal School of Law.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee with majors in Political Science and Psychology. At UT, Matt was selected to attend the University's Leadership Conference and served as President of his social fraternity.

Matt is a Germantown native, graduate of Germantown High, and lifelong member of Germantown United Methodist Church. A long-time competitive wrestler, he competed on the UT club wrestling team and served as a wrestling coach at Germantown High and Germantown Middle School.

Matt is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association and Memphis Bar Association.

For more information, please click here to fill out The Pickler Law Firm online form, or contact them at (901) 316-0160.