Patrick J. Weschler
Partner | Akron
Trusts & Estates Practice Group Leader
Assistant | Michele Workman : [email protected]
About Patrick:
I have practiced Trusts and Estates law since my graduation from law school. Choosing to practice in this area remains the best career decision I have made.
In my work, I assist clients with developing effective estate, charitable, and insurance strategies, and on providing support for successful implementation of those strategies.
My background with both federal estate tax and fiduciary income tax enables me to provide clients with guidance in a way that achieves their goals in the most tax-efficient manner.
My practice in charitable planning has included establishing and administering private foundations, donor advised funds and a variety of charitable trust vehicles.
Deep familiarity with the use of life insurance in estate planning enables me to explain the potential role of insurance in client estate plans, utilize my experience with insurance products to evaluate insurance proposals, and structure insurance in a way that minimizes or eliminates the estate and income tax exposure of insurance proceeds.
Beyond the technical and legal aspects of planning, I strive to provide each client with empathy, creativity and dedication. I am here to address each client’s concerns and to assist in client deployment of family resources in a way that will maximize family financial security and support family harmony to the greatest extent possible.
- Estate and business succession planning counsel with a multi-generation perspective
- Experience in the creation and administration of private foundations, charitable split interest trusts and other planning giving vehicles
- Experience with sophisticated planning involving life insurance and related trusts
- Joined the firm in 1988; elected partner in 1991
- Current Chair of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group
- Previously practiced law in Washington D.C. and Cleveland
- University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1981)
- Virginia Law Review
- Order of the Coif
- Mercyhurst College (B.A., Political Science and Math, summa cum laude, 1978)
Admissions
- Ohio
- District of Columbia (inactive)
- Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Trusts & Estates (2023)
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America® (1995-2024)
- Recognized in Best Lawyers Business Edition® for Trusts and Estates Law (2015)
- Received special recognition for being listed in Best Lawyers in America® for 10 consecutive years
- Selected for inclusion in Ohio’s Super Lawyers® (2004-2014), as voted by his peers
- Lisle M. Buckingham Endowment Fund, Advisor
- Mercyhurst University, Board of Trustees, Chair of Academic Affairs Committee
- Humane Society of Greater Akron, Emeritus Board Member
- Betty and John Jacobson Foundation, President and Director
- WKSU – FM (Kent State University Public Radio), Advisory Board
- Leave a Legacy, Akron, Ohio, Cabinet
- Humane Society of Greater Akron, former Board Chair
Associations
- Akron Bar Association
- Probate Section, Past Chair
- American Bar Association
- Real Property, Probate Section
- Ohio State Bar Association
Presentations:
- “Snowbird Rules” - Change of Domicile
- Post-Mortem Planning
- Business Succession Planning
- Planned Giving for Charitable Organizations
- Social Media Issues and Charitable Organizations
- Co-author: “Estate Tax Relief Does Not Reduce Need for Planning” (Law You Can Use)
- Speaks on trust and estates and charitable law issues for various organizations and clients
- How SECURE is your estate plan? (January 29, 2020)
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Our attorneys will provide a collaborative, thoughtful approach to your legal needs. We look forward to connecting with you.
