Vanessa is a Partner in Wiggin and Dana’s Private Client Services Department in the Greenwich, CT office.

Vanessa advises high net-worth individuals and families on multi-generational transfers of assets, such as closely-held business interests, marketable securities, art collections, real estate, tangible personal property and insurance policies. Her practice focuses on estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning.

For lifetime planning, Vanessa drafts and analyzes inter vivos trust agreements, such as insurance trusts, grantor trusts and dynasty trusts. She advises clients on the funding of trusts, whether through direct or formula gifting or leveraged sales, as well as on the administration and taxation of trusts. Vanessa prepares and reviews gift tax returns in connection with the transfer of assets and represents clients in gift tax audits with the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, she advises clients on the structuring of new investments as well as the restructuring of existing businesses with a focus on transitioning wealth and control to the next generation in a tax efficient manner that maintains business continuity.

Vanessa also assists with the preparation of testamentary documents and estate administration, including the probating of wills, the marshalling of assets, the filing of state and federal estate tax returns, the sale of estate assets and the distribution of assets among estate beneficiaries. Vanessa also has experience administering intestate estates and representing estate fiduciaries in estate tax audits. 

In addition, Vanessa advises clients on charitable giving by forming and administering private foundations, setting up donor advised funds, papering pledges and drafting charitable lead and charitable remainder trusts.

Vanessa sits on the Board of Directors of Connecticut Foodshare, which helps individuals and families across Connecticut gain access to food, and the Soderstrom Scholars Fund, which provides internships, scholarships and mentoring to underrepresented students in the field of STEM in Connecticut.

Vanessa received her LL.M. from New York University, her J.D. from Harvard Law School, and her B.A. from the University of Michigan. She started her career with the Trusts and Estates group at Weil, Gotshal and Manges LLP and then transitioned to the Private Client Services group at Proskauer Rose LLP.

Vanessa lives with her husband and two children in Greenwich.