Neil T. Kawashima - McDermott Will & Emery

Overview


Neil T. Kawashima has a diverse practice, representing wealthy individuals and families on matters related to estate and gift planning, business succession and governance, and estate and trust administration. Neil’s clients include owners of privately-held businesses, beneficiaries of long-term trusts, fiduciaries and entrepreneurs. Neil has advised his clients regarding traditional and novel uses of trusts, wealth transfer strategies, business control mechanisms such as voting trusts and stockholder agreements, and fiduciary issues.

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Results


  • Designed and implemented a $500 million intra-family transaction involving multiple charitable trusts
  • Designed and negotiated scores of charitable gifts and pledges ranging in size from less than $1 million to $1 billion
  • Designed and implemented a $3 billion transaction intended to preserve family control over a company and related estate and gift planning
  • Routinely advises regarding the design, implementation, funding and administration of split-interest charitable trusts of varying levels of complexity

Recognitions


  • Chambers USA
  • The Best Lawyers in America 2009-2023, Trusts and Estates
  • Chambers High Net Worth 2022, Illinois: Private Wealth

Community


  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow and Member of Charitable Planning Committee
  • American Bar Association
  • Joffrey Ballet, Planned Giving Committee, Chair
  • Lincoln Park Zoo, Planned Giving Advisory Committee, Chair
  • Lyric Opera of Chicago, Planned Giving Committee
  • Chicago Community Trust, Professional Advisory Committee

Credentials


Education
Cornell Law School, JD, 1996
University of Chicago, AB, 1993

Admissions
Illinois

Courts/Agencies
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois