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 Sam’s 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
Certified Public Accountant
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Tax Court
Board Certifications
Estate Planning and Probate / Tax
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.), 2006-2024
- Lawyer of the Year – Austin, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, 2022
- Lawyer of the Year – Austin, Trusts and Estates, 2020
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates, 2011-2024
- Trusts and Estates, 2006-2024
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2023
- “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Wills, Estates, and Probate, Austin Monthly, 2021
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
- Estate Planning Council of Central Texas, Former President
- State Bar of Texas – Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
- Trust Code Committee, 2002-2004
- Decedent’s Estate Committee, 2015-Present
- Austin Bar Association – Estate Planning and Probate Section, Former Board Member
- National Committee of Planned Giving – Central Texas Chapter, Former President
- University of Texas at Austin’s Planned Giving Advisory Council, Member & Former Co-Chair
- Equality Texas, Board Member
- Austin Parks Foundation, Board Member
Jackson Walker Advises Kendra Scott in Private Equity Investment
January 4, 2017
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.
February 9, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson 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.
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.
January 10, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson 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.
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.
September 1, 2021
Attorney NewsJackson 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.
August 19, 2021
Attorney News‘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.
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.