Jack W Hawkins
The Trusts and Estates Practice counsels clients on strategies for planning the accumulation, management and transfer of wealth. We are uniquely qualified to provide these services because of our knowledge of the laws concerning estate planning and the administration of estates and trusts, and because we understand the personal nature of this practice. We are skilled in the complicated state and federal laws governing will and trust litigation and tax controversies, while understanding the sensitive family and personal issues of our clients as they relate to these matters. Areas of practice include:
Estate Planning
The attorneys of the Trusts & Estates practice assist clients in all forms of estate planning, from traditional estate planning techniques (such as Wills and Revocable Trusts) to the most advanced level of tax-saving strategies (such as family limited partnerships, grantor retained annuity trusts, and sales to defective grantor trusts). Due to Gardere's extensive representation of corporations and other businesses, the attorneys have comprehensive knowledge and experience regarding estate planning for business owners, including strategies for transition events in the business (such as sales or initial public offerings) and succession planning for a business owner's death or retirement. Attorneys also provide counsel regarding techniques for charitable giving, such as private foundations, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts.
Administration of Estates and Trusts
The attorneys of the Trusts & Estates Practice have experience in all aspects of the administration of estates and trusts. Attorneys represent executors in the administration of estates and can assist the executor with the required legal and tax work associated with administering a large estate. Also attorneys represent beneficiaries of estates and trusts who want legal advice during the administration. Some of these activities include representing the executor before the probate court, preparing federal estate tax returns, and post-mortem planning. In addition, attorneys represent existing trusts and their trustees, providing guidance to the trustee so that taxes are reduced and trust assets are preserved and the intent of the trust grantors and needs of the trust beneficiaries are effectively served over time.
Will and Trust Litigation and Tax Controversies
The Trusts & Estates Practice has experience in handling a variety of contested and complex trust and estate matters. Representation includes defense of executors and trustees in proceedings challenging the manner in which they have administered an estate or trust. Attorneys also represent beneficiaries of substantial estates and trusts in litigation seeking to assert their rights in response to acts or omissions by fiduciaries. Attorneys in the Trusts & Estates Practice have extensive experience in representing clients in tax controversies.
Fellow - American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
Jack W Hawkins
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
1601 Elm St #3000
Dallas TX 75201
Tel: 214 999-4226
Fax: 214 999-3226
E-mail: jhawkins@gardere.com
Area(s) of Expertise
* Tax
- Tax Litigation
- Trusts and Estates
Practice Emphasis
Jack Hawkins has more than 45 years of experience in trusts, estates, and tax law. He handles estate planning and estate administration matters of all degrees of complexity, as well as special trust and fiduciary matters. In his estate planning practice, he focuses on human and family issues as well as transfer tax and fiduciary issues. He has successfully represented estate representatives and taxpayers in administrative disputes and litigation with the Internal Revenue Service.
Mr. Hawkins was named as one of Best Lawyers in Dallas by D magazine in 2003, recognized in The Best Lawyers in America published by Woodward/White, Inc. for over 20 years, and a Texas Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Media Inc. in 2006 (and prior years).
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