Biography
For more than 20 years, Michael J. Baldwin’s wealth transfer and private client practice has been focused on representation of and counsel to high net worth individuals, affluent families, family offices, family and non-family business entities, estates, trusts, and charitable entities. Michael holds the distinction of being one of the only wealth planning attorneys in the state who holds an LL.M. in Taxation, is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and has received certification in Estate Planning and Probate Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Michael is also the founding co-chair of Jackson Walker’s Family Office Group, which provides trusted counsel to a distinguished group of family office and multifamily office clients throughout the state.
The primary focus of Michael’s representation of individuals and families is preservation of wealth and the efficient transfer of wealth among generations. To achieve these goals, he spends extensive time educating his clients about various transfer techniques available, from the simple to the more advanced, and implementing the appropriate plan for each client.
Education
B.A., Baylor University
J.D., LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center
LL.M. (Taxation), Sturm College of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1995
Washington, Inactive
Court Admissions
United States Tax Court
Board Certifications
Estate Planning and Probate Law
Michael has extensive experience drafting individualized estate planning documents including wills, revocable management (living) trusts, irrevocable trusts, dynastic (exempt) trusts, and ancillary estate planning documents (powers of attorney/living wills). Additionally, he has vast experience in complex estate and transfer planning techniques, including proper use of irrevocable life insurance trusts, family partnerships and family limited liability companies, grantor retained annuity trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts (including the sale of assets to such trusts), and foreign and domestic self-settled trusts.
Michael has considerable experience representing fiduciaries of estates and trusts. This representation includes counseling and assisting fiduciaries on all matters pertaining to the subject estate or trust, including all probate proceedings, estate and trust administrative matters, income and transfer tax planning, and asset distribution issues. He also represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and individuals in a variety of litigation matters, including trust modification and reformation suits, contested wills and trusts, and breaches of fiduciary duty.
Michael’s practice also includes creating and representing various charitable trusts and charitable organizations. This practice area includes the planning and formation of charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts, private foundations, supporting organizations, and the representation of exempt organizations for tax and non-tax matters.
- “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Wills, Estates, and Probate, Austin Monthly, 2021
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Trusts and Estates, 2022
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2011, 2013, 2016-2021
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2006-2007
- Five Star Wealth Manager, Crescendo Business Services, 2010-2015
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell
- American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow
- Business Planning Committee
- International Estate Planning Committee
- State Bar of Texas Section of Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law
- Washington State Bar Association, Retired
- Estate Planning Council of Central Texas, Past President
- Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation, Board of Trustees
- Capital Area Food Bank Foundation
- Board of Directors – Former Member
- Board of Directors – Secretary, 2000-2006
- Austin Public Library Foundation, Board of Directors – Treasurer, 2000-2006