Stephen H. Gariepy

Stephen H. Gariepy is National Chair of Hahn Loeser’s Estate Planning and Business Succession Group.

Steve focuses his practice on leading-edge estate planning techniques. His ability to design creative and comprehensive plans – and make them practical and understandable – has attracted clients nationwide from the ranks of Forbes 400, business owners, families and nonprofit organizations.

Steve regularly counsels owners of privately held companies and guides business owners through options for succession planning, leveraged gifting, tax-free sales, valuation discounting, shifting voting control and equity among active and non-active heirs, split-dollar and other insurance plans, incentive compensation, buy-sell agreements, stock transfer restrictions, business reorganizations, buyouts, tender offers, asset protection (domestic and offshore), dynasty trusts, legacy trusts, family offices, charitable trusts, and foundations. He places an emphasis on minimizing income tax, gift tax, estate tax and generation-skipping tax.

Steve is often called upon to resolve the difficult issues that arise in the dynamic relationships among family members and business owners. He also assists executors and trustees in the often complex role of estate and trust administration.

In addition, Steve has served as a software consultant for BNA Estate & Gift Tax Planner, the gold standard in estate planning software produced by the Bureau of National Affairs Inc. Steve has received numerous awards for his efforts. These include being the first to receive The Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year award for Cleveland Trusts and Estates. The selection was based on the highest peer ratings of other leading practitioners in his specialty for abilities, professionalism and integrity. His other awards include recognition in the The Best Lawyers in America for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, The Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates, Ohio Super Lawyers for Estate Planning and Probate (Blue Ribbon Panelist), the Award of Merit from the Ohio Legal Center Institute, and the Distinguished Estate Planner of the Year Award from the Estate Planning Council of Cleveland. He is also AV® Preeminent Rated (the highest peer rankings for legal ability and ethics) by Martindale-Hubbell. In 2015, Steve was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business as one of the “100 Most Connected” businesspeople in Northeast Ohio. Steve is also a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and has served as a faculty member at its conferences.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

The Results of the 2020 Election Could Affect the Estate and Gift Tax Laws

October 16, 2020

"A Plandemic of Wealth Transfer Opportunities"

September 11, 2020

No children, no spouse doesn’t mean no estate plan

March 14, 2019

Having a will ensures wishes are followed

March 14, 2018

Debunking Eight Gift Tax Myths

December 2017

Debunking six gift-tax myths

August 18, 2017

Community Involvement

Great Lakes Theater, Trustee

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Past Chair, Executive Committee; Planned Giving Council

Cleveland International Piano Competition, Board of Directors; Chair, Governance Committee; Executive Committee

The Cleveland Orchestra, Planned Giving Advisory Council

Case Western Reserve University, Estate Planning Advisory Council, Founding Member

The Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden, Member

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Rock Advisors, Founding Member

City Mission, Planned Giving Advisory Council, Founding Member

University Hospitals of Cleveland, Diamond Advisory Group

Awards & Distinctions

The Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, 2017-2020 (Cleveland Lawyer of the Year, 2021)

The Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates,2006-2020 (first-ever Cleveland Lawyer of the Year, 2011)

Distinguished Estate Planner of the Year, The Estate Planning Council of Cleveland

The Award of Merit, The Ohio Legal Center Institute

Ohio Super Lawyers®, 2004-2021

AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell

OSBA Certified Specialist, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law

“100 Most Connected” businesspeople in Northeast Ohio, Crain’s Cleveland Business

Memberships & Affiliations

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow; Faculty Member

Estate Planning Council of Cleveland, Past President; Program Chair; Monthly Developments Reporter

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Estate Planning Institute, Past Chair; Continuing Legal Education Committee; Faculty Member

Cleveland-Marshall Law School/IRS Conference on Federal Wealth Transfer Taxation, Faculty Member

Attorneys for Family Held Enterprises, Member and Faculty Member

Family Firm Institute, Member

National Business Institute, Faculty Member

Ohio State Bar Association, Sections on Probate and Trust Law and Corporations

The Florida Bar, Sections on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Tax Law