Taxation and Estate Planning Our estate planning team provides solutions in the design, drafting and implementation of complex wills, trusts, family partnerships, limited liability companies and all significant personal planning techniques. We offer tax counseling in selecting, forming and operating charitable entities, business transactional structuring, and tax structuring for compensation issues. Toward the goal of asset preservation and protection, we advise professionals and others concerned about personal liability and assist in the implementation of asset protection techniques. Our team has extensive experience in developing and implementing unique off-shore and on-shore plans and strategies, including various off-shore trust structures. Our attorneys have had continued success in representing clients in civil tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and various states' taxing authorities. We maintain a significant practice in the administration of estates and trusts, have successfully represented clients in substantial will contests, and continue to advise clients on controversies in the area. The Chair of this department, Anthony F. Vitiello, was named to Worth Magazine's 2005 and 2006 "Top 100 Attorneys," a list of the top lawyers nationwide specializing in trust and estates, philanthropy, elder care, matrimonial and other private practice areas. In recent matters, attorneys in the group: Provided advice relating to, and implemented, estate plans for estates and trusts ranging in value from $4 million to more than $750 million; Transferred closely held businesses to younger generations at significantly discounted values; Provided advice concerning, and implemented, various charitable giving techniques for clients' estate plans, including, among others, charitable remainder trusts and family foundations; Formed numerous private and public charities ranging in initial funding from less than $1,000,000 to over $10,000,000; Successfully argued for the complete withdrawal of more than $300,000 in tax penalties by the relevant taxing authority; negotiated a settlement involving more than $5,000,000 in tax, penalties, and interest for $200,000; and negotiated a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service that allowed a taxpayer charged with a tax deficiency in excess of $600,000 to pay 15 cents on the dollar; Successfully negotiated significant numbers of audits by federal and state estate tax authorities; Designed, negotiated and implemented one of the largest insurance premium finance transactions in the country and structured various other premium financing transactions meeting varied needs of particular clients; Developed and implemented various off-shore asset protection trusts using Bahamian, Cook Islands and Swiss structuring components; Designed and implemented "top-hat" deferred compensation plans, statutory and nonstatutory stock option plans, and advised on various compensation issues for executives and owners; and Successfully leveraged tens of millions of dollars of real estate value out of a senior generation's estate into dynasty trusts for multi-generational wealth transfer. Contact: Anthony F. Vitiello Partners/Counsel: Kenneth F. Kunzman John B. Murray Anthony F. Vitiello   About Us | Practice Areas | News | Attorneys | Publications Career Opportunities | Locations | Contact