McGuireWoods partners Michele McKinnon and Jean Gordon Carter are featured on The National Law Journal’s 2017 list of Trusts and Estates Trailblazers, marking the second consecutive year the publication has honored members of the firm’s nationally recognized Private Wealth Services Group.
McKinnon, based in Richmond, leads the firm’s Nonprofit Industry Team and advises public charities, major colleges and universities, large private foundations and charitable trusts in tax and governance matters. In its profile, The National Law Journal noted McKinnon’s work to structure the sale and gift of a family collection of German Expressionist art which the family brought to the United States after escaping Nazi Germany before World War II. McKinnon also discussed her work advising foundations on investments that directly impact healthcare, housing and access to justice.
Carter, based in Raleigh, is acclaimed as one of North Carolina’s top tax and estate planning lawyers. Her Trailblazers profile details her role crafting the state’s 2016 law allowing individuals to provide directions in their wills, powers of attorney or other records giving fiduciaries access to their email, social media accounts and other digital assets. Carter was ahead of the curve in persuading estate planners to focus on this issue, and worked with the North Carolina Bar Association to shape legislation the General Assembly enacted.
“Michele and Jean are regarded by their clients and their peers as leaders in their field, and we are proud that The National Law Journal has recognized them for their achievements,” said Charles D. “Skip” Fox IV, chair of the firm’s Tax & Employee Benefits Department.
McGuireWoods consistently ranks among the top law firms for wealth management in leading legal publications across the globe. The firm received the highest nationwide ranking — Band 1 — for private wealth law in Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth Guide, and earned Band 1 nationwide rankings for wealth management eight times in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. In addition, Legal 500 UK recognized McGuireWoods’ London office on its list of top law firms in the private client: personal tax, trusts and probate category.