Sam K. Hildebrand
Practice Areas
Experience
- Asset Protection
- Business Succession Planning
- Charitable Planning
- Family Office
- Family-Owned Business
- Fiduciary Advice & Counsel
- Premarital, Marital, & Cohabitation Agreements
- Probate, Trust, & Guardianship Administration
Biography
For more than 35 years, Sam K. Hildebrand has helped clients protect their wealth, minimize their estate, gift, and income tax exposure, and convey their wealth to their families and charities in a wise and thoughtful manner. Sam emphasizes establishing strong, long-term working relationships with his clients and their professional advisors.
A significant part of Samâs practice is his work with wealthy families in developing their family office. This involves establishing the formal structures and educating family members on how to satisfy their family goals, including securing the family wealth for themselves and future generations and adhering to their charitable desires.
Sam assists family members and professional fiduciaries with the estate and trust administration process after a death has occurred. While much of this work involves the careful and efficient transfer of property to the intended beneficiaries, Sam also assists with contested probate and fiduciary matters.
Education
A.A., Schreiner University
B.B.A., with highest honors, University of Texas at Austin
J.D., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Tax Court
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate / Tax
Fellow, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
Certified Public Accountant (Retired)
Sam represents a wide range of clients, including entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, oil, gas, and mineral owners, farmers, ranchers, entertainers, artists, doctors, professors, athletes, and philanthropists.
His practice encompasses the full breadth of wealth planning and probate, including:
- Preparation of will and trusts
- Estate, gift, and income tax minimization
- Protection against unforeseen claims
- Charitable planning
- International estate planning
- Premarital and marital property agreements
- Employment agreements
- Business creation and ownership
- Planning for potential mental incapacity
- Estate and trust administration
- Will contests and fiduciary litigation
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2006-2026
- Lawyer of the Year â Austin, Litigation â Trusts and Estates, 2022
- Lawyer of the Year â Austin, Trusts and Estates, 2020
- Litigation â Trusts and Estates, 2011-2026
- Trusts and Estates, 2006-2026
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2025
- “Austinâs Top Attorneys” List â Wills, Estates, and Probate, Austin Monthly, 2021, 2025
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
- Estate Planning Council of Central Texas, Former President
- State Bar of Texas â Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Trust Code Committee, 2002-2004
- Decedentâs Estate Committee, 2015-Present
- Austin Bar Association â Estate Planning and Probate Section, Former Board Member
- National Committee of Planned Giving â Central Texas Chapter, Former President
- University of Texas at Austinâs Planned Giving Advisory Council, Member & Former Co-Chair
- Equality Texas, Board Member
- Austin Parks Foundation, Board Member
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reutersâ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. 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.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
âAustin Monthlyâ Lists 44 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ of 2025
Jackson Walker congratulates the 44 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthlyâs list of âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ for 2025. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 40 categories.
Attorney News • July 15, 2025
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its âTexas Super Lawyersâ of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reutersâ 2024 âTexas Super Lawyersâ list.
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.
Attorney News • September 17, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
Jackson 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.
Attorney News • September 19, 2023
‘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 yearâs 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.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
Jackson Walker Expands Trusts & Estates Group With Addition of Tara Potts
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of Tara A. Potts as a partner in the Trusts & Estates practice. Joining from a small transactional law firm in Austin, Tara concentrates her practice in the area of tax-exempt organizations.
Attorney News • February 9, 2023
Jackson 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.
Attorney News • September 21, 2022
‘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.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
Jackson Walker Welcomes Wealth Planning and Fiduciary Litigation Group to Houston
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the arrival of five Houston litigators focused on probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation. The team is led by Sarah Patel Pacheco and includes Kathleen Tanner Beduze, Joshua R. Flores, Joe R. Savoie, and Jocelyn Thibodaux Slater.
Attorney News • January 10, 2022
Jackson 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.
Attorney News • September 22, 2021
Jackson Walker Welcomes Claire Raggio and Brian Merkley to Dallas Wealth Planning Group
Jackson Walker proudly welcomes Claire N. Raggio and Brian Merkley to the Dallas office. Claire joins the Firm as a partner and the chair of the Dallas Wealth Planning group, and Brian joins as senior counsel.
Attorney News • September 1, 2021
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 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.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 20 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2021
Jackson Walker congratulates the 20 attorneys recognized among âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ 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.
Attorney News • August 3, 2021
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 98 Jackson Walker Attorneys
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. For over three decades, recognition in Best Lawyers has been regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, since an attorney cannot pay to be listed.
Attorney News • August 16, 2018
53 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2017 “Texas Super Lawyers” List
Thomson Reuters has named 53 Jackson Walker attorneys to its 2017 âTexas Super Lawyersâ list. According to Thomson Reuters, the list recognizes a âcredible, comprehensive and diverseâ selection of âoutstanding attorneys,â and serves as a resource for those in search of legal counsel.
Attorney News • September 6, 2017
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 94 Jackson Walker Attorneys
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 94 Jackson Walker attorneys in its 2018 edition. 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.
Attorney News • August 15, 2017
Practice Experience
Sam represents a wide range of clients, including entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, oil, gas, and mineral owners, farmers, ranchers, entertainers, artists, doctors, professors, athletes, and philanthropists.
His practice encompasses the full breadth of wealth planning and probate, including:
- Preparation of will and trusts
- Estate, gift, and income tax minimization
- Protection against unforeseen claims
- Charitable planning
- International estate planning
- Premarital and marital property agreements
- Employment agreements
- Business creation and ownership
- Planning for potential mental incapacity
- Estate and trust administration
- Will contests and fiduciary litigation
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2006-2026
- Lawyer of the Year â Austin, Litigation â Trusts and Estates, 2022
- Lawyer of the Year â Austin, Trusts and Estates, 2020
- Litigation â Trusts and Estates, 2011-2026
- Trusts and Estates, 2006-2026
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2025
- “Austinâs Top Attorneys” List â Wills, Estates, and Probate, Austin Monthly, 2021, 2025
Community Involvement
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
- Estate Planning Council of Central Texas, Former President
- State Bar of Texas â Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Trust Code Committee, 2002-2004
- Decedentâs Estate Committee, 2015-Present
- Austin Bar Association â Estate Planning and Probate Section, Former Board Member
- National Committee of Planned Giving â Central Texas Chapter, Former President
- University of Texas at Austinâs Planned Giving Advisory Council, Member & Former Co-Chair
- Equality Texas, Board Member
- Austin Parks Foundation, Board Member