About afhe The international association of Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises ( afhe) is an independent, non-profit association of attorneys practicing in the areas of corporate, litigation, taxation, and trusts and estates who provide multi-disciplinary legal counsel and advice to privately-held enterprises, their owner-managers, and family members.  The organization serves as a resource for individuals, business entities, trade associations, the business press, and other groups seeking information concerning attorneys with the experience, expertise, and qualifications to address privately-held business issues. afhe members focus on the establishment, growth, and success of family-held enterprise, the engine behind entrepreneurship. At least 90% of businesses in the United States are family owned and controlled, and this pattern holds true across the world. In Germany, 80% of all German companies are family-controlled, in Mexico, 80% are family businesses, in Chile, 75% of the firms are family owned and controlled, and the highest percentage is in Italy with 99% of businesses run by families. Family businesses are essentially the same around the world in their contributions to the long-term financial and social stability of their communities and their nations. The attorneys who practice in family business law are reestablishing the traditional role of legal counselor to these businesses, viewing the entire business life-cycle of their clients' firms as relevant to business and legal decisions made today.       afhe Board of Directors R. Frederick Caspersen, Secretary/Treasurer and 2005-2006 Conference Chair - Farella Braun + Martel LLP, San Francisco, CA William O. Cranshaw, Director - Management Planning, Inc., Simsbury, CT John D. Dadakis, Director - Schiff Hardin, LLP, New York, NY Herbert B. Fixler, Director - Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP, New York, NY Mark K. Harder, Director and 2007-2008 Conference Chair - Warner, Norcross & Judd LLP, Holland, MI Bonnie Brown Hartley, Director - Transition Dynamics Inc., Venice, FL Jack S. Stevens, Director - Roberts & Stevens, P.A., Asheville, NC Mark F. Swary, President - Hahn, Loeser & Parks, LLP, Cleveland, OH Michael D. Whitty, Director - Winston & Strawn LLP, Chicago, IL afhe Association Staff Sarah E. Spiers, Executive Director