Family Office and Strategic Investments

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As the complexities of wealth preservation and management grow, so does the need for specialized legal counsel to navigate legal, tax, and regulatory landscapes. Sophisticated counsel is especially important for high-net-worth families and family offices who require extensive oversight and guidance on their financial affairs, investments, philanthropic activities, and more. For decades, Wiggin and Dana has been a trusted advisor to successful families, helping to meet their often complex legal needs while developing an understanding of each client’s priorities, goals and values along the way. Our wide breadth of knowledge in the areas of corporate law, real estate, tax, and trust management allows us to provide clients with top-tier legal counsel and strategic guidance that considers the intricacies of their financial, business, family and personal affairs.

Trust and Collaboration

We understand that the client’s journey is not merely transactional; rather, it is a collaborative partnership built upon a foundation of understanding. We take pride in building long-lasting relationships with our clients, fostering trust and collaboration, while leveraging our knowledge across various legal disciplines to protect and preserve their wealth for current and future generations.

How We Can Help Family Office and High-Net-Worth Clients

As a full-service law firm with global reach, we are adeptly positioned to handle a wide range of complex issues while providing personalized attention that our clients appreciate. Our size allows us to have the broad-based experience and sophistication to rival the largest law firms yet lean enough to be as adaptable and accessible as our high-net-worth family and family office clients require. Wiggin and Dana is uniquely positioned to provide high-value and comprehensive counsel with a personal touch.

Our Suite of Legal Services

We recognize the pivotal role high-net-worth families and family offices play in managing significant wealth and preserving family legacies. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of interdisciplinary legal services to address critical challenges faced by our clients, including:

Advanced Estate Planning, Trust and Estate Administration

We stand as the preeminent choice for clients seeking advanced estate planning, and trust and estate administration counsel. With a legacy of exceptional performance spanning decades, our attorneys possess a deep understanding of the nuances inherent to these particular legal areas. Our commitment to precision and innovation empowers us to craft tailored solutions that go beyond conventional strategies, ensuring the seamless protection and distribution of assets in accordance with our clients’ wishes. As leaders in the field, we leverage our extensive experience to navigate complex tax regulations, asset preservation, and multi-generational wealth transfer. With Wiggin and Dana, clients can trust that their advanced estate planning and trust and estate administration needs are met with the highest level of skill, insight, and personalized attention. Click to View Our Related Service Page:

Investment Management

When it comes to assisting private investment and venture investment clients as they embark on their initial steps, Wiggin and Dana stands as the ideal partner. With the unique blend of experience held by the largest law firms, and the personalized attention of a smaller boutique firm, we offer an unparalleled advantage to our clients.

We pride ourselves on maintaining a close-knit and approachable atmosphere, enabling us to provide steadfast guidance and unwavering support to our clients throughout their entrepreneurial endeavors. We understand that getting started in private and venture investment requires tailored guidance and an intimate understanding of each client’s specific needs and aspirations. As such, we go beyond the conventional legal counsel to foster lasting partnerships with our clients, guiding them every step of the way and empowering them to achieve their investment goals with confidence and clarity.

At Wiggin and Dana, we advise clients in fund investments and direct investments, ranging from early-stage friends and family or SAFE rounds, to leading priced rounds. We also represent family offices and investors in exit transactions.

Commercial Real Estate and High-end Residential Real Estate

At Wiggin and Dana, we are well-versed in the unique challenges and opportunities presented by commercial real estate and high-end residential properties alike, enabling us to provide insightful guidance tailored to each client’s individual requirements and pressure points. Furthermore, our strong connections in the industry serve as an invaluable asset, granting us access to a network of key players, including developers, investors, brokers, and other relevant stakeholders. This network allows us to stay ahead of industry trends, anticipate market shifts, and provide our clients with a competitive edge.

Whether it’s help with design and construction matters, the development of luxury real estate projects, or the financing, acquisition or leasing of prestigious properties, our commitment ensures that our real estate clients receive unparalleled legal representation every step of the way. Learn more about Wiggin and Dana real estate services here.

Succession Planning

With a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding wealth transfer and intergenerational continuity, our firm possesses the experience and resources needed to navigate the details of family dynamics and financial stewardship. We bring decades of experience in crafting comprehensive and tailored succession plans, ensuring a seamless transition of wealth and governance for future generations. We recognize that each client has their own unique values, objectives, and aspirations, and we take a personalized approach to address their specific needs. Through collaborative discussions and strategic analysis, we develop customized plans that protect and grow the family’s wealth, safeguarding their legacy for years to come. Our unwavering commitment to discretion and confidentiality, combined with our proactive approach to anticipating potential challenges, makes Wiggin and Dana the trusted partner for high-net-worth family and family office clients seeking the best in succession planning guidance.

Private Wealth Disputes

Wiggin and Dana is the ideal partner for clients embroiled in private wealth disputes, offering an unmatched blend of compassionate guidance and tailored solutions. With an impressive track record of success, our private wealth disputes team is well-versed in deciphering the legal, financial, and emotional complexities of private wealth matters. We are committed to providing a strategic and empathetic approach to resolving disputes that involve challenging financial and familial dynamics.

Leveraging our extensive experience and meticulous attention to detail, we navigate the most complicated and contentious private wealth disputes to protect our clients’ interests and achieve favorable outcomes. Whether the dispute involves disagreements over the valuation and division of business entities, the allocation of real estate properties, or the interpretation of trust documents, our clients can confidently rely on Wiggin and Dana to guide them through the maze of private wealth disputes, ensuring their rights and assets are protected with the highest level of proficiency and care.

Matrimonial Matters

Wiggin and Dana provides sophisticated legal support for complex matrimonial matters, catering specifically to the needs of our high-net-worth family and family office clients. Our team brings a nuanced understanding of the challenging financial and emotional dynamics inherent in such cases.

We handle matters involving complex asset valuation, property division, spousal support, and prenuptial agreements in the most seamless manner possible. Our attorneys recognize the significance of preserving your wealth and financial well-being during life-altering transitions, and we strive to secure equitable solutions that protect your rights and best interests every step of the way.

We also provide tailored strategies to ensure that family wealth remains intact and efficiently managed through divorce or separation. Our deep understanding of family dynamics and intricate financial structures allows us to navigate matrimonial matters within the context of broader family office goals.

At Wiggin and Dana, we appreciate that matrimonial matters are often highly emotional. With our compassionate yet strategic approach, we prioritize not only the legal resolution but also the emotional well-being of our clients. By leveraging our extensive experience with high-net-worth family and family office clients, we empower you to navigate these challenges with skill, sensitivity, and a commitment to protecting your financial and familial interests.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Matters

All high-net-worth individuals and businesses, regardless of industry or size, should be prepared for cybersecurity risks and data breaches. As a senior government official noted, businesses today fall into two categories: those aware of hacks and those yet to discover them. Any operation reliant on networks and digital systems faces cyber-risk.

Wiggin and Dana’s specialized cybersecurity and data privacy team is adept in evolving cyber threats, offering tailored services to safeguard sensitive information. Our services encompass:

  • Incident response and breach preparedness
  • Privacy and data security policies, staff training
  • Risk assessment and compliance
  • Internal investigations
  • Litigation
  • Cyber-risk in procurement and outsourcing
  • Cyber-liability insurance options

Prioritize data privacy if your business:

  • Holds proprietary data on systems, internal or outsourced
  • Depends on secure data for operations and continuity
  • Aims to mitigate public breach exposure

Small and mid-sized businesses are equally vulnerable. In fact, studies reveal them to be particularly attractive targets. The solution isn’t “zero preparation,” but the right preparation. Wiggin empowers you to anticipate risks and provides guidance amid breaches or disputes.

Tax Issues

When it comes to tax issues, high-net-worth families and family offices require effective guidance and strategic solutions. At Wiggin and Dana, our seasoned tax attorneys ensure that your financial endeavors are optimized for both compliance and efficiency.

Our goal is to minimize tax liabilities while maximizing opportunities for wealth accumulation and asset protection. Whether you’re considering complex estate and gift tax planning, structuring charitable giving vehicles, or managing cross-border tax implications, our tailored solutions align with your unique financial goals.

Family offices, as stewards of multi-generational wealth, specifically benefit from our adept handling of intricate tax matters. We offer guidance on efficient wealth transfer strategies, generation-skipping tax planning, and the creation of family office structures that address both administrative needs and tax optimization. By providing comprehensive insights and strategic foresight, we empower family offices to sustain and enhance their legacy.

At Wiggin and Dana, we recognize that tax issues are not isolated concerns but integral components of your broader financial aspirations. With our attention to detail and forward-thinking approach, we empower you to navigate the ever-evolving tax landscape with confidence. Whether it’s minimizing tax exposure, maximizing charitable impact, or ensuring seamless multi-generational wealth transfer, we are committed to securing your financial success while alleviating the complexities of tax-related matters.

The Experience and Sophistication You Need to Safeguard Family Wealth

Our clients range from high-net-worth individuals and multimillion-dollar domestic organizations with little back-office support to billion-dollar international enterprises run by teams of experienced professionals. As the role of the family office continues to increase in the private investment community, we bring our high-net-worth family and family office clients a level of knowledge that can only be derived from decades of experience working with private investors and navigating traditional family dynamics. We are equally adept at tailoring sophisticated legal strategies to align seamlessly with the intricate financial profiles and unique aspirations of high-net-worth clients. With a specialized focus on wealth preservation, tax optimization, and multi-generational planning, we provide comprehensive solutions that safeguard their interests and facilitate the realization of their financial goals. In addition to the legal services mentioned above, Wiggin and Dana’s family office practice provides guidance and representation in the following areas: corporate/fund formation and governance, employment and benefit matters, regulatory and compliance matters, philanthropy, family governance, and immigration.

Partner with Wiggin and Dana

When you partner with Wiggin and Dana, you can rest assured that you have a dedicated team of experienced attorneys from multidisciplinary practices ready to assist you promptly whenever you need it. We provide unparalleled guidance on a multitude of legal and emotional aspects pertaining to the preservation, safeguarding, and succession of family wealth. This broad-based experience allows us to cater to the diverse legal needs of any family organization or high-net-worth individual. At Wiggin and Dana, we pride ourselves on working closely with our colleagues in other practice groups to provide high-quality, cutting edge, and comprehensive counsel delivered effectively and efficiently from one trusted source. Experience the difference of a firm that strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and personalized attention. Let us guide you on the path to achieving your family’s financial future with confidence.

 

Podcasts

In the premiere episode of our Speaker Showcase, Partners Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls explore the evolving landscape of estate planning, with a special focus on strategies for middle and…

Digital Assets may be poised to revolutionize the financial world and the velocity of moving money across the economy. On this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Erin…

In the final episode of our speaker series, Partners and Family Office Co-Chairs, Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas, and Dimitri Tournas delve into the unique capabilities and services offered to high…

On this episode, hosts Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear welcome corporate Partner R.J. Kornhaas to discuss the intricacies of investing in privately held businesses and business succession planning. They delve…

On the fourth episode of our speaker series, Partners Erin Nicholls, R.J. Kornhaas and Dimitri Tournas dive into the key compliance requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its…

Jacob Koenig, Managing Director and Partner of Woodbridge International, sits down with Partners Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear to discuss his firm’s unique approach to selling companies, including their focus…

In the latest podcast episode, host Michael Clear introduces the “Future Focused: Private Wealth Insights” blog, a platform designed to help optimize and protect your financial future. Explore domestic and…

Business owners have their own set of challenges to address when considering estate planning strategies, including family concerns, personal concerns and operation of the business itself. On this episode, Partner…

On this episode, Partners Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls review the requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) now in effect. They discuss what exemptions are available to entities, who…

Trustees behaving badly? In this episode of “Future Focused,” Partners Erin Nicholls and Michael Clear discuss trusts and mechanisms available for a trust beneficiary to remove a trustee. From understanding…

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Experience

  • Assisting family office in connection with management and leasing of national real estate portfolio.
  • Assisting family office in connection with a $50m+ refinance of a shopping center in New York.
  • Representing a family office in connection with an $30+m interfamily loan secured by real estate and mezzanine financing.
  • Representing family office in new headquarters lease in New York city.
  • Representing high net worth individual in major construction and design project in a newly acquired New York City condominium.
  • Represented Boxcar Partners, a venture investment firm comprised of several family offices, as lead investor in Immuneering Corporation’s $20 million Series A financing.
  • Represented Boxcar Partners, a venture investment firm comprised of several family offices, in connection with its investment in Vidafuel.
  • Represented a family office in connection with the implementation of sophisticated generation-skipping transfer tax planning for a multi-billion-dollar trust.
  • Advised a Fortune 100 company “insider” in connection with wealth transfer planning under the short-swing rules of the Securities Exchange Act.
  • Advised a high-net-worth family on the Tax Code’s special valuation rules in connection with the structuring and implementation of a hedge fund.

Firm Highlights