Trusts & Estates

At Jackson Walker, we pride ourselves on the sophisticated and effective advice we provide to individuals and families in the preservation and dissemination of wealth. As personal estates increase in size and complexity, the design and implementation of tailored wealth transfer and preservation plans becomes particularly important to achieving our client’s goals. Our Trusts and Estates attorneys provide knowledgeable counsel that helps families and individual protect their wealth for themselves and their future generations. Our attorneys offer experienced direction on business matters, succession planning, to developing tailored estate, asset protection, and tax deferral plans, investment strategies and philanthropic structures.

Whether negotiating and drafting premarital agreements, probating an estate, litigating problems that arise, or creating consensus regarding the process, we combine our experience navigating family dynamics with our dedication to understanding the special needs of our clients and their family members. We develop strategic, successful plans that address both economic and non-economic concerns. We have developed steadfast relationships with modest and substantial net worth clients alike, some of which now extend through multiple generations. Our integrated approach ensures a comprehensive analysis of each client’s family, financial, and business desires and issues, as we strive to provide our clients and their families sage counsel, compassionate guidance, and ever-present support throughout the wealth planning process.

Samuel S. Allen

Samuel S. Allen

Partner, San Angelo
325.481.2558

Jackson Walker Star

Heidi Angel

Partner, Fort Worth
817.334.7279

Ryan Campbell

Ryan Campbell

Associate, Fort Worth
817.334.7243

Mark Comuzzie

Mark Comuzzie

Partner, San Antonio
210.228.2426

Tyler P. Davey

Tyler P. Davey

Partner, Austin
512.236.2361

Brian Dethrow

Brian Dethrow

Partner, Dallas
214.953.5794

Tyson Ehlinger

Tyson Ehlinger

Associate, Austin
512.236.2041

John J. Klein

John J. Klein

Partner, Dallas
214.953.5817

Emily Little

Emily Little

Associate, Austin
512.236.2235

Brian Merkley

Brian Merkley

Partner, Dallas
214.953.5976

Colin L. Murchison

Colin L. Murchison

Partner, Fort Worth
817.334.7219

Tara A. Potts

Tara A. Potts

Partner, Austin
512.236.2396

Selby Rains

Selby Rains

Associate, Dallas
214.953.5892

Matthew R. Rodriguez

Matthew R. Rodriguez

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4451

Christian Ryholt

Christian Ryholt

Associate, Houston
713.752.4296

Garrett Shuffield

Garrett Shuffield

Associate, Austin
512.236.2091

Justin Stone

Justin Stone

Associate, Dallas
214.953.6130

Austin Thomas

Austin Thomas

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4272

Erin N. Tuggle

Erin N. Tuggle

Partner, Austin
512.236.2065

2024 Top Texas Women Super Lawyers

January 11, 2024
Attorney News

Super Lawyers Names 31 Jackson Walker Attorneys in Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine

Jackson Walker congratulates the 31 attorneys who were included in the Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine published by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. The annual Texas Top Texas Women edition includes the highest-rated women attorneys across the “Texas Rising Stars” and “Texas Super Lawyers” lists in a given practice area.

Jackson Walker Fort Worth

December 12, 2023
Attorney News

‘Fort Worth Magazine’ Lists 16 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the “Top Attorneys” of 2023

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 16 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazine’s “Top Attorneys” list for 2023. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area must be nominated by their peers within the region. The list of nominees then goes through a “rigorous panel review to assure the highest of quality is met.”

2024 Best Law Firms announcement

November 2, 2023
Spotlight

Jackson Walker Earns 25 National and 134 Metro Rankings in 2024 Edition of “Best Law Firms”

Jackson Walker proudly announces the firm’s inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers. This year, Jackson Walker observed notable improvements in the national rankings, including the rise of Appellate Practice to Tier 1, Banking and Finance Law and Litigation – Labor and Employment to Tier 2, and the addition of Energy Law and Environmental Law in Tier 3.

Sarah Patel Pacheco

October 16, 2023
Speaking Engagements

Sarah Patel Pacheco to Discuss Best Practices for Bringing an Expert Witness to Trial at TexasBarCLE’s Fiduciary Litigation Course

Sarah Patel Pacheco will serve as a panelist during the luncheon presentation at the 18th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course presented by the State Bar of Texas on December 14, 2023. The presentation, “Bringing Your Expert Witness to Trial,” will be moderated by Jason S. Scott (Osborne Helman Scott Knisley & Stanton) and will include Sarah Pacheco, Becky Beaver (Law Office of Becky Beaver), and Hon. Guy Herman (Travis County Probate Court No. 1).

October 16, 2023
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Welcomes 2023 New Fall Associates

This year, the firm proudly welcomes 19 new associates to expand our Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery, Corporate & Securities, Finance & Banking, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Real Estate, Trial & Appellate Litigation, and Trusts & Estates practices.

Fast Takes - Kathleen Tanner Beduze Guardianship 101

September 29, 2023
Podcasts

Guardianship 101: How to Navigate (and Avoid) Guardianship Proceedings

JW Fast Takes Podcast | ~7.5 minutes

In this episode, Kathleen Tanner Beduze walks through the different types of guardianships, how they work, and what people can do today—when they are healthy—to avoid having others decide who will have power over their medical or financial decisions.

September 19, 2023
Attorney News

Super Lawyers Names 7 Jackson Walker Attorneys to Texas Top Lists

Jackson Walker proudly announces Matt Dow, Scott Fiddler, Julia Mann, Alfie Meyerson, Kurt Nondorf, Sarah Patel Pacheco, and Bruce Ruzinsky’s selection to the Texas Top Lists for 2023 by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers.

Flags flying at the Texas Capitol

September 19, 2023
Attorney News

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.

USA flags

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.

July 28, 2023
Speaking Engagements

Sarah Patel Pacheco to Present Drafting Ideas for Trustees at UT Law CLE’s Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Elder Law Conference

Sarah Patel Pacheco to present at the 25th annual Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Elder Law Conference on August 10th, 2023. She will be discussing how to draft of the trustee in a challenging environment.

More Trusts & Estates News