The Attorney's Advisor Team at Consolidated Planning is built exclusively around the financial lives of attorneys and business owners — at every stage of their career.
We are financial advisors with an exclusive focus on attorneys and law firm owners. Not generalists who work with some attorneys. Our entire practice is built around the financial challenges, career dynamics, and wealth-building opportunities unique to the legal profession.
We built this practice because attorneys have a specific and complicated financial life that generic financial planning almost never addresses correctly. The student debt, income trajectory, career risk, tax situation, and business dynamics in law require advisors who have spent serious time understanding how it all works.
Whether you are an early associate, a mid-career attorney approaching a key decision, a partner managing equity compensation, or a firm owner planning an exit — this practice exists to serve you.
Guardian and its subsidiaries do not issue or advise with regard to student loans.
High income, high complexity, and a compensation structure that rewards attorneys who have a system from day one. Bonus volatility, lateral economics, and partnership probability all require deliberate planning.
Different income profile, different benefit structures, and often a path to equity ownership. Planning here requires flexibility and a clear view of what partnership means financially.
PSLF strategy, income-driven repayment, and a compensation structure that demands a different approach to wealth building. The opportunities here are real and frequently underutilized.
Enterprise valuation, exit strategy, buy-sell planning, and post-liquidity wealth management. This is where our CEPA experience and business planning depth come to bear.
Joel Gardner and Joe Pagani lead The Attorney's Advisor Team at Consolidated Planning. Our shared focus on attorneys and business owners is what sets our practice apart from generalist firms.
General Securities Representative. Licensed to offer the full range of securities products and investment strategies. Held by both Joel and Joe.
Uniform Combined State Law Examination. Investment advisor representative and securities agent licensure. Held by both Joel and Joe.
Licensed to provide life insurance, long-term disability income protection, and long-term care solutions. Held by both Joel and Joe.
Retirement Income Certified Professional. Joel and Joe both hold this designation from The American College of Financial Services, signifying knowledge in sustainable retirement income, tax-efficient strategies, Social Security optimization, and managing longevity risk.
Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Joel holds this designation from the Exit Planning Institute for advisors helping business owners build valuable companies, align personal goals, and execute successful exits using the Value Acceleration Methodology™.
Originally from Maryland, right outside of our Nation's Capital, Joel has been in the Carolinas since 2006. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina, as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate in accounting from Furman University.
Joel has been in the financial services industry since 2014. He holds the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation and the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation. His passion is helping small business owners and their employees build a plan to protect and grow their wealth while teaching strategies to exit their businesses and careers.
He takes great pride in helping clients stress-test various scenarios before making decisions. Most often clients engage with him when they are preparing for a major transition — starting a new job, sending children to college, growing a business to be passed on or sold, or gaining clarity around what retirement can look like.
Outside of working with clients, Joel loves spending time with his college sweetheart Natalie and their four children (Braxton, Markley, Essie, and Judah). He is a lifelong soccer player and enjoys watching most sports, especially when his beloved South Carolina Gamecocks are involved. Joel and Natalie are active members at Hope of Israel congregation in Charlotte, NC, where he serves in many capacities. In all he does, he seeks to love others as he has been loved by God.
Joe grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, and built a successful career rooted in leadership, business strategy, and helping others achieve their goals. A graduate of North Carolina State University, he studied Finance, Economics, and Business Management before embarking on an entrepreneurial journey that led him to become CEO of Bermuda Sands Golf Apparel. There, he successfully built a competitive brand in the crowded golf apparel industry. After a personal battle with cancer required him to step away from that role, Joe gained a renewed perspective on life, resilience, and the importance of having a strong support system. As a long-time client himself, he was inspired by the guidance and care he received and chose to transition into financial advising, where he now helps others navigate their own financial journeys with confidence.
Today, Joe works with individuals and families at some of life's most important crossroads, including couples approaching retirement, young parents building a future for their children, and professionals seeking greater clarity around their financial plans. He believes financial planning should be about much more than investments and returns — it should serve as a roadmap that brings confidence, security, and direction to every aspect of a client's life. Known for his thoughtful, holistic approach, Joe is passionate about helping clients make informed decisions that align with their values and long-term goals. His mission is to provide guidance that helps clients thrive throughout their working years and enjoy retirement with comfort and confidence.
Outside of the office, Joe embraces life with the same energy and enthusiasm he brings to his work. He enjoys traveling abroad — especially to Italy — snowboarding with his two sons, building furniture, surfing, shooting sporting clays, and playing what he jokingly describes as “bad golf.” Long walks with his dog, Daisy, are among his favorite ways to unwind. An Eagle Scout and former bull rider who learned the sport in Oklahoma at age 16, Joe has always been drawn to adventure and personal growth. He is also deeply committed to giving back through The Go Jen Go Foundation, a nonprofit he co-founded with his late wife, Jen, which provides financial assistance to women battling breast cancer. With two sons currently in college — and hopes that one may eventually join his practice — Joe treasures family above all and remains dedicated to helping others build meaningful, stable futures for the people they love most.
Behind every plan is a team of specialists and operators — handling the details, bringing the right expertise to the table, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Denise is passionate about creating exceptional client experiences while keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly and efficiently. She thrives on building strong relationships, improving processes, and supporting clients and colleagues alike with a solutions-focused approach. Her goal is simple: create a seamless experience that reflects our commitment to outstanding service and operational excellence.
Known for her collaborative style, positive attitude, and sharp attention to detail, Denise has a gift for spotting opportunities to strengthen communication and help teams succeed. She believes great client experiences are built on trust, responsiveness, and genuine connection — values that align perfectly with how we operate here.
Outside the office, you’ll likely find Denise on the pickleball court, around horses, or talking about her love of all things Porsche.
Logan grew up in the suburbs of New York City and initially attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He graduated from Coastal Carolina University in May 2026 with a degree in Finance and an area of emphasis in Wealth Management.
He enjoys traveling, playing golf, staying active, and spending time outdoors. During the summer of 2025, he worked in Big Sky, Montana, where he also visited eight national parks in his free time. He is an avid sports fan, particularly of the New York Yankees, Giants, Knicks, and Rangers. He also enjoys watching suspenseful shows and movies with plot twists. As the youngest in his family, Logan has three older siblings.
Michael D. Cousar has been in the insurance industry for 28 years. He began his insurance career with The Paul Revere Insurance Group in Atlanta, GA as a Disability Income Insurance Broker Representative. He is now back in a similar position with Consolidated Planning.
Michael is a father to four children and has been married for 26 years to Carrie Davis Cousar, MD. They live in Anderson, SC and enjoy time on Lake Hartwell. Michael has a passion for helping others. He founded a non-profit that gives underserved children the opportunity to participate in athletics, and he is an Elder in his church and has served on the board for a local orphanage.
In his spare time, Michael really enjoys following the Auburn Tigers.
As Director of Retirement Plans, Katie works with companies to establish, operate, and enhance qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Since 2008, Katie — better known as 401Katie — has worked with business owners and their employees to achieve successful retirement outcomes.
An NC State grad, Katie enjoys watching Wolfpack athletics and cheers on the Carolina Panthers with her husband, Jace, and son, Cameron. Rounding out her family is Kona, a stubborn yet playful French Bulldog.
The intro call is 30 minutes. Ask every question you have. Gain clarity on whether this is the right fit for you.