Biography
For more than 25 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
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, 2022
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Trusts and Estates, 2022-2024
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2011, 2013, 2016-2023
- 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
September 19, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
October 25, 2022
Attorney News‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 14 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2022
Jackson Walker congratulates the 14 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2022. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 38 categories.
September 21, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
September 22, 2021
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 57 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2021
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 3, 2021
Attorney News‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 20 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2021
Jackson Walker congratulates the 20 attorneys recognized among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2021. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 43 categories.
October 19, 2020
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2020
Spanning five offices, 19 practice areas, and experience ranging from 12 to 52 years, Jackson Walker’s 2020 “Texas Super Lawyers” have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
September 4, 2019
Attorney News52 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2019 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’ List by Thomson Reuters
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team.
September 6, 2017
Attorney News53 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2017 “Texas Super Lawyers” List
Thomson Reuters has named 53 Jackson Walker attorneys to its 2017 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’ list. According to Thomson Reuters, the list recognizes a “credible, comprehensive and diverse” selection of “outstanding attorneys,” and serves as a resource for those in search of legal counsel.