Steven Gibbs is the CEO, Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Insurance and Estate Strategies LLC (I&E) Background and Expertise Steve’s vision for I&E began in early 2000, and incubated for almost two decades, fueled by a unique broad spectrum of experience. Following law school, Steve sat in his Uncle Jake’s swanky downtown Minneapolis office, learning from him for the first time about using cash value life insurance for strategic purposes. This encounter planted an early seed that eventually germinated into the full blown mission that has since become a “movement”.

During his early years, Steve’s involvements unfolded to include  small business startups, real estate development, trust and estate planning law, and asset protection.  Notably, in 2008, Steve launched a FL trusts and estates law practice which he operated until 2023.

He has earned legal licenses and earned various accreditations in CA, FL and MN Steve’s legal practice over 15 years connected him with thousands of people and landed him in countless meetings with both wealthy and average people alike.  These experiences acclimated Steve to a full gamut of estate planning, asset protection, real estate, small business, wealth transfer and a myriad of other concerns.

In 2018, Steve and an attorney-colleague set out to revolutionize the permanent life insurance sector, co-founding I&E with a singular mission to create the top platform on the web promoting cash value life insurance and other permanent products in powerful ways. Out of the gate, Steve became a top producing agent and Penn Mutual recognized him as among their top rising stars in 2021, having earned the prestigious Century Club award. Since that time, I&E has attracted some of the top experts in the industry, allowing Steve to segue into his current coaching and training role. 

Professional Achievements

• AEP® Certification for Multi-Disciplinary Estate Planning Expertise, 2024 
• Penn Mutual’s Century Club Award, 2021
• State Bar Admission in CA and FL
• Licensed Life & Annuity Producer in all 50 States and DC Since 2017
• Author of Several Books and Contributor to National Publications such as ThinkAdvisor
• NBI Presenter and Contributor

Areas of Expertise

• Wealth Transfer Coaching
• Estate Planning Coaching and Training
• Strategic Life Insurance Design
• Business Succession and Exit Strategies

Steve’s knowledge base brings together multiple unique disciplines, drawing from both his legal experience and his “hands on” involvements in various business sectors such as real estate development, business startups and exit strategies. Philosophy and Approach Steve believes that most “enterprising” people operate with the offense calling all the plays defense lingering in the background, if even on the field. He also sees that modern estate planning is in trouble because it leaves many critical questions unanswered. So he prioritizes:

• Helping clients understand the need for a well thought out defensive plan
• Addressing preventative gaps that almost all typical experts miss or ignore completely
• Partnering with the best companies offering both protection and leverage
• Promoting communication, legacy and charitable goals for families
• Encouraging true wealth building approach that avoid unwarranted risks

Current Focus

Steve’s passion is bringing his unique depth of experience to coaching families in legacy preservation and wealth transfer concerns that often extend way beyond the documents.  Steve was recently recognized for his contributions and 15+ years of experience and awarded the AEP® Certification *.

* The AEP® designation is a graduate-level specialization designed to recognize educated, knowledgeable, experienced, and ethical professionals within the multi-disciplinary profession of estate planning. This designation embodies the ever-important values of NAEPC and the estate planning councils from across the country; collaboration; education; and the cultivation of multi-disciplinary relationships.