Ann is the chair of the Trust, Estate & Charitable Planning group at Gray Plant Mooty. Her practice focuses on estate planning, business succession planning, estate and trust administration, and fiduciary and tax litigation.
Ann brings a unique mix of skills to her law practice as a certified public accountant (inactive) and a principal in the firm. She represents multi-generational families of wealth throughout the country, assisting and guiding them in their relationships with trustees and other advisors. Ann also represents individual and corporate trustees in estate and tax planning and in fiduciary controversies in state and federal courts.
Ann has presented numerous seminars on topics related to estate planning, trusts, estates, and taxation. In 2010, she was featured in an article in The New York Times focusing on how the uncertainty of the estate tax's fate is challenging heirs.
Publications
- "Disclaiming Assets, Interest, and Powers," LexisNexis 2010 Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Volume 44
- "The Increased Exemption Creates Opportunity," Trusts & Estates, March 2009
- "Section 2053 Proposed Regs," Trusts & Estates, July 2008
Presentations
- “Thanks But No Thanks—Disclaiming Assets, Interests, and Powers,” 44th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, January 2010
- “Integrating the Estate Plan with Business Succession Planning,” copresenter, 44th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, January 2010
- “Qualified Disclaimers—What Part of ‘No’ Don’t You Understand,” copresenter, 44th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, January 2010
- “Deductive Reasoning: Section 2053 Proposed Regulations—Take the Guesswork out of Deductible Claims,” 41st Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, January 2008
- “Life Settlements, an Overview,” ACTEC Business Planning Committee, March 2007
- “A Wild Decade at Mid-Life,” copresenter, 40th Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, January 2006
- “Tax Controversy Work: Winning Cases through Mastering Procedure,” 39th Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, University of Miami School of Law, January 2005
- “Mathematics and Economics for Estate Planners, Cannon Financial Estate Planning Webcast, May 13, 2005
- “Tax Controversy Work: Winning Cases through Mastering Procedure,” ACTEC Annual Meeting, March 2004
- “The IRS Appeals Process,” ACTEC Annual Meeting, June 2003
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1981
- Iowa State University, undergraduate degree, 1978
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota, 1982
- Wisconsin, 1981
- U.S. Tax Court, 1981
Professional Activities
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), fellow, 1995-present; Business Planning Committee and Estate Tax Committee, member
- Tax Disputes Subcommittee of the Fiduciary Litigation Committee, chair, 2003
- Law clerk for the Honorable Judge Donald R. Ross
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
Honors and Distinctions
- “The Best Lawyers in America,” Woodward/White, 1995-2012
- “Super Lawyer®,” Thomson/Reuters, 1994-2011
- “Minnesota's Best Lawyers," Minnesota Monthly, 2009
- “Top 50 Woman Super Lawyer,” Minnesota Law & Politics, 2005-2009
- “Number One Estate Planning Attorney in Minnesota,” 2005
- “2006 Women in Business—Women to Watch,” Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal
- “2005 Women of Achievement,” National Association of Women Business Owners
Community Involvement
- Greater Twin Cities United Way, Annual Campaign Cabinet, 2009
- Greater Twin Cities United Way, Early Learning Initiative Committee, member, 2005-present
- University of St. Thomas Law School, Board of Governors, member, 2004-present
- Women’s Leadership Counsel of the United Way of Minnesota, past chair and charter member, 2005-present