Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

With one of the top Personal Planning groups in New York City, recently ranked #1 by The Best Lawyers in America for the third year in a row, Patterson Belknap advises some of the nation's wealthiest individuals and families. Widely recognized as leaders in their field, they sit on the boards of major national not for profit organizations and institutions, lecture extensively and provide cutting edge planning advice to clients.  In addition, they serve on major bar association committees, as well as committees that impact both federal and state legislation regarding wealth management.  As evidence of their leadership roles, partners in Patterson Belknap's Personal Planning practice are consistently recognized by their peers in legal industry publications; four are included in Best Lawyers in America.

When matters necessitate, group attorneys coordinate with firm litigators to handle estate and trust issues in the courtroom, including probate contests, proceedings to remove fiduciaries, construction proceedings and contested accounting proceedings where very substantial sums are at stake as well as control of large closely held corporations.  In addition, attorneys in our group have represented many major banks in their capacities as trustee.

Below are brief overviews of our partners' experience.

• Christopher C. Angell has more than 30 years of experience advising a broad international client base on personal planning matters.  He serves as a trustee of various trusts, including those established by clients and their families, as well as a director of Bessemer Trust Company and Henry Street Settlement.  He is a Trustee of Johns Hopkins University and serves on the Advisory Board of the Bioethics Institute of Johns Hopkins University.  He is president of The Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation.  He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.
   
• Michael S. Arlein focuses his practice on a broad range of matters in the personal planning area, including estate and tax planning for individuals and families, estate and trust administration, all aspects of Surrogate's Court practice, including probate proceedings, will contests and guardianships, and planning for charitable giving and philanthropy.
   
• Susan F. Bloom has concentrated her practice in estate planning and related estate and trust litigation for more than 25 years.  Her clients include individuals and families, banks and trust companies and not-for-profit organizations.  She lectures extensively on estate planning, estate and gift tax and estate administration and associated litigation issues at the New York County Lawyers' Association, the Practising Law Institute, Fordham University School of Law and New York Law School.  She is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.
   
• Hugh J. Freund has more than 30 years of experience representing individuals in their business, personal, investment, estate planning, real estate and fiduciary matters.  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg nominated Mr. Freund to be a Commissioner of The Art Commission of the City of New York, a position he held through 2005.  He is also a member of the Board of Overseers of the Hopkins Center and Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, a trustee of The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Inc. and an Honorary Trustee of The Parrish Art Museum.
   
• Dana W. Hiscock has more than 30 years of experience representing high net worth individuals and families, including owners of private businesses, corporate and financial services executives, and U.S. citizens residing abroad.  He serves as a trustee of various trusts established by clients and their families.  His exempt organizations practice has focused on the establishment and representation of charitable entities.  He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.
   
• Catherine Grevers Schmidt focuses on estate planning, administration of trusts and estates, Surrogate's Court practice, and planning for charitable giving and for the inter-generational transfer of wealth.  Her practice also encompasses contested estate and gift tax proceedings, and she has represented clients before the United States Tax Court.  She is a regular speaker on estate and gift tax topics.
   
• John Sare advises individuals and corporate fiduciaries on legal issues involving works of art, charitable giving, and estate planning.  He teaches the Seminar in Law and the Visual Arts at the Columbia University School of Law and lectures frequently on tax-exempt organization, charitable giving, and art law topics.  He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.

By having a strong personal planning department within a larger firm, we provide clients with a level of sophistication in legal advice that is unmatched.  Our firm's capabilities-and the promise of its strong future-allow us to protect families for generations.

Because of these long-term relationships, we often become personal counsel to clients, addressing matters beyond estate planning.  Working with our renowned tax-exempt organizations group, we advise a number of private foundations and public charities.  Our litigators handle disputes about closely held businesses.  Our tax attorneys structure documents to take advantage of the latest changes in the tax code.

Counsel for Every Need

For individuals as well as entire families, we answer complex questions about their business and philanthropic affairs, and handle routine matters such as banking relationships and the selection of investment services.

Because many of our clients own family businesses or control large blocks of stock in privately traded companies, we regularly counsel them on such issues as:

• retaining a company's private status,
• providing continuity of management across generations,
• transferring stock in the company to younger generations,
• maintaining voting control of a company,
• drafting shareholders' agreements to define family obligations, and
• preparing closely held businesses for sale.

When designing estate plans, we look to meet the diverse personal and financial needs of our clients.  Our personal planning group assists families that include persons with disabilities, addressing their unique tax and financial planning needs.  We counsel our clients on the use of trusts and other legal devices to protect family assets.

For the Public Good

Recognizing that many of our clients seek to give back, we work with them to establish and administer private foundations and other charitable arrangements, including charitable lead trusts and charitable remainder trusts.  We also counsel individuals who plan to make significant or unusual gifts to nonprofit institutions.

Many charitable, educational and religious organizations that are beneficiaries under wills and trusts rely on our attorneys as their counsel.  Indeed, we have a long history as counsel to some of the nation's leading public charities and private foundations.

Representing Fiduciaries

The administration of clients' estates and the operation of their trusts require skill on the part of executors and trustees.  We regularly counsel banks, trust companies and individuals regarding their duties as such fiduciaries.  Our partners have also served as directors of trust companies.

Resolving Disputes

Working together with lawyers from our litigation group, we represent individuals and trust companies as executors, trustees or beneficiaries in disputes concerning the validity or operation of wills and trust agreements or when administrative decisions of a fiduciary are challenged in an accounting proceeding.  We counsel our clients and represent them when controversies arise among family members or among owners of closely held businesses.  We also negotiate and draft pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

Advice Across Borders

Foreign nationals who reside in the United States or have holdings here, as well as U.S. nationals living abroad or with investments in other countries, turn to us because of our global experience.  We counsel them concerning investments in the United States and other countries, and assist in creating corporations or trusts as vehicles for these investments.  We work with attorneys in many foreign jurisdictions to assist clients in complying with complex multinational tax and other rules, in choosing the most appropriate jurisdictions in which to base their operations, and in creating trusts, corporations and other entities in the U.S. and in other countries.  We fashion estate plans for multi-national clients which address their needs and the concerns of their families while minimizing taxes and complying with the laws of multiple countries.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

 

Promoting diversity within the firm and the legal profession has been central to our mission for years.

 

Over 20 years ago, Patterson Belknap was one of the first major firms to elect a woman as its Managing Partner.  We work to continue that tradition where women and minority lawyers thrive and succeed.

 

• In 2012, Patterson Belknap scored a 100% rating in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.
• Women In Law Empowerment Forum, accorded Patterson Belknap its Gold Standard Certification for demonstrating a meaningful presence and integration of women into our highest leadership positions.
• In 2011, Patterson Belknap was recognized as one of the top companies in America for gay, lesbian and transgender attorneys by Work Life Magazine.  

 

As Co-Chair of the Firm and Managing Partner Bob LoBue has said, "For far too long, the door to practicing in the top ranks of our profession was open only to a privileged few.  That is changing for the better, and Patterson Belknap is both a beneficiary and a strong supporter of diversity.  We will continue to cultivate an atmosphere of civility, dignity and mutual respect in which all of our attorneys and staff are welcome and can flourish."

 

RECRUITING & OUR DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP

 

Our commitment to a diverse workplace begins by actively recruiting women and minority law school students. Accordingly, we partner with a wide range of student affinity groups at various law schools to present informative programs about opportunities both at Patterson Belknap and in the legal profession more broadly and engage in open conversation with interested law school students who are thinking about working in a law firm environment. We also strongly encourage applications from lateral associates of color and other diverse backgrounds.

 

As a part of our recruiting efforts, we constantly seek candidates who not only distinguish themselves through their accomplishments, but who have interesting life and work experiences. We welcome you to take the time to ask questions and to get to know us. At Patterson Belknap, we make every effort to retain and promote people who will contribute their myriad talents and backgrounds to create a successful firm of which we can be proud.

 

To learn more about Recruiting and working at Patterson Belknap, please visit our Careers section by clicking here.

 

 

 

THE PATTERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER LLP DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP

 

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP believes that a workforce made up of people from diverse social, racial, economic and cultural backgrounds results in a dynamic and supportive workplace for our attorneys and staff and enhances our ability to provide the highest-quality representation for and service to our clients. As part of our ongoing commitment to recruiting, retaining and promoting attorneys who contribute to the diversity of our firm and our profession, we are pleased to offer the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship.

 

The Fellowship Program

 

The Fellowship, which includes an award of up to $15,000, will be offered to an exceptional rising second-year law student who shows the promise both of becoming an outstanding attorney and of contributing meaningfully to the diversity of Patterson Belknap and the legal community. The Fellowship will be awarded in the course of the regular fall recruiting season for summer associate positions and the Fellow will participate in the regular summer associate program at the Firm in the year after the Fellowship is awarded.

 

In addition to a paid position as a 2L summer associate, the Fellow will receive $5,000 on the first day as a 2L summer associate, $5,000 upon acceptance of an offered position as an associate at Patterson Belknap and $5,000 on the first day of joining the firm as an associate.

 

Eligibility

 

The recipient of the Fellowship must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership abilities, together with personal and professional accomplishments and a commitment to community service. The recipient should demonstrate the potential to be successful in the legal profession and to be a meaningful contributor to the diversity of our firm and the legal community. All applicants must be entering their second year in good standing pursuing a Juris Doctor degree at an ABA accredited law school.

 

We will accept applications for the 2013 Fellowship until July 20, 2012. We encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible. You may send your first-year law school transcript after you receive it. Applications must include:

 

 

1.     Cover letter stating that you are applying for the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship;

2.     Resume;

3.     Official or unofficial transcript (photocopy and/or online version) of law school grades;

4.     A personal statement of no more than 500 words describing your interest in the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship and how you would contribute to the diversity of our firm and the legal profession, including any past contributions that you have made to the legal community; and

5.     A writing sample.

 

All materials should be sent by email and/or regular mail to the attention of:

 

Ms. Robin Klum

Director of Professional Development

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

1133 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (212) 336-2733

 

 

INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

 

Patterson Belknap also believes that it has a role to play in increasing the diversity of the legal profession as a whole. Hence, the Firm has engaged in a number of “pipeline” endeavors to increase the number of minorities pursuing careers in the law by mentoring and encouraging minority students with an interest in law beginning at an early age.

 

 

·         For a number of years, the Firm has partnered with Legal Outreach, an organization which prepares urban youth from underserved communities in New York City to compete at high academic levels by using intensive legal and educational programs. The firm is a key supporter of Legal Outreach’s “College to Law School Pipeline Diversity Program”, “Summer Law Institutes” and “Summer Internship Program” which are designed to mentor minority junior high and high school students who have an interest in pursuing a legal education. Through these programs, numerous Patterson Belknap attorneys have coached Legal Outreach students in mock trials and oral argument programs, delivered workshops to introduce students to different aspects of the law and served as individual mentors to students.

 

·         One of our partners serves as a board member of PALS - Practicing Attorneys for Law Students - an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the legal profession. We have also co-hosted panel discussions and events with PALS to support young minority attorneys in their career development.

 

·         For a number of years, Patterson Belknap has mentored students from Flushing High School in the annual Metropolitan Mentor Moot Court and NYSBA Statewide Mock Trial competitions. Patterson Belknap attorneys meet weekly with the students in the Fall (for moot court) and Spring (for mock trial) to coach them on all aspects of preparing for the competition – from brainstorming the issues presented in the fact pattern, to drafting examination questions and oral arguments. The students gain confidence in their public speaking skills, and meaningful, fun exposure to litigation.

 

 

OUT AT PATTERSON

 

Mission

 

Out at Patterson is an affinity group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) attorneys at Patterson Belknap. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues of common interest, to foster a sense of community, to socialize as colleagues, and to assist in the firm's efforts to recruit, retain and promote qualified LGBT attorneys.

          

Message from the Chair of Out at Patterson

 

"I have found Patterson Belknap to be very welcoming of its LGBT attorneys and staff since my arrival in 1985. In addition to my involvement with Out at Patterson, I also chair our Benefits Committee, where we strive, in all our employee benefit arrangements, to recognize the needs of our LGBT employees. As an employee benefits lawyer, I have been grateful to be able to work to design programs intended to provide for the fairest available treatment of same-sex spouses, domestic partners and their children, and to work toward changes in the law to benefit LGBT families."

 -- David M. Glaser

Partner and Co-Chair, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group

Chair, Out at Patterson

 

Our Pro Bono Service and Scholarship

 

Patterson Belknap has a strong record of pro bono service and scholarship on behalf of LGBT clients and related concerns. Our work has included:

 

·                 Numerous successful representations of LGBT refugees in the United States seeking asylum because of persecution in their home countries.

 

·                 Preparation of comprehensive analyses of disparate tax treatment of same sex spouses in light of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

 

·                 Numerous articles published by Patterson Belknap attorneys regarding treatment of same sex spouses and partners, and related presentations.

 

Our Leadership

 

 "Patterson Belknap fosters an inclusive and affirming work environment for lawyers, staff and their families. The support of our LGBT colleagues is reflected in our work, our policies and our firm culture. We believe this diversity broadens our understanding of clients' needs and enables us to deliver superior service."

-- Richard R. Upton, Partner

Co-Chair, Tax Group

Co-Chair, Diversity Committee

 

Our Community

 

 "Patterson Belknap takes a comprehensive approach to LGBT issues that goes well beyond the implementation of policies important to LGBT attorneys and staff. The firm strives to ensure that an atmosphere of inclusiveness permeates all aspects of firm life and that diversity is celebrated, not merely tolerated. By its commitment to recruiting and promoting LGBT attorneys, and to advocating on behalf of LGBT clients and issues important to our community, Patterson Belknap shows a true dedication to fully incorporating LGBT attorneys and staff into the firm's culture."

-- Matthew Shepherd, Counsel

 

"Patterson Belknap's inclusive atmosphere, which has always warmly welcomed my partner and me, is why I'm here. I believe genuine progress on LGBT issues takes more than just policies. In my experience, Patterson Belknap strives to take these extra steps."

--  Karen R. Berry, Counsel

 

"Patterson Belknap is inclusive and conscientious in all the ways that matter to LGBT attorneys. That's just one of the reasons the firm is a terrific place to practice."

-- Travis J. Tu, Partner

 

 

PATTERSON ATTORNEYS OF COLOR

 

About PAC

 

Patterson Belknap is committed to employing a diverse workforce of attorneys and staff. We consider a diverse workforce to include people of all social, racial, economic and cultural backgrounds. The firm also believes that a diverse group of legal talent provides the most substantial, thorough and comprehensive representation for any client.

 

PAC is one of the firm's resources for cultivating an environment that enables attorneys of color to develop skills and grow as lawyers. PAC was formed in 2001 in part to help enhance the sense of community among attorneys of color, and provide an important way for them to connect with each other and the world outside the firm.

 

 PAC attorneys meet formally once a month to discuss issues of common interest, to foster a sense of community and to socialize as colleagues. In addition, PAC assists the firm with the recruitment, retention and promotion of attorneys of color to enhance workplace diversity. Its members participate in on-site recruiting events at law schools and sit on both the hiring and diversity committees.

 

Our Community

 

 

“I am continuously impressed by Patterson's commitment to the growth of its associates and the firm; growth in diversity, growth in character, and growth in skill and professionalism."

-- Lia Marie Brooks

Class of 2008

 

"I feel fortunate to be at Patterson Belknap, where I am surrounded by a community of colleagues who are not only inspiring, but also a pleasure to work with. 'Collegiality' is not just a buzzword here—the firm is truly dedicated to making Patterson a rewarding place to work for people of all backgrounds."

-- Jean L. Tom

Class of 2002

 

"What makes Patterson an especially pleasant environment to work at is the firm's recognition that our different backgrounds allow us to make unique contributions to the practice of law and add to the character of the firm."

-- Muhammad Faridi

Class of 2007

 

 "The firm's commitment to diversity stems naturally from its commitment to excellence. Patterson understands that each lawyer's individual background and experiences add significant value not only to the environment of the firm but the quality of its work product."

-- Solmaz F. Firoz

Class of 2010

 

"Patterson's commitment to excellence is rivaled only by its commitment to seeing that each and every new lawyer succeeds. In large part, success at Patterson is measured by how much you are truly enjoying the practice of law."

-- Travis J. Tu

Class of 2003

 

 "I am grateful to be part of a law firm that combines excellence in the practice of law with a strong commitment to diversity and a culture of collegiality. Patterson is simply a wonderful place to work."

-- Nishka Chandrasoma

Class of 2006

 

"Diversity is more than a catch-phrase at Patterson; it's an integral part of the Firm's culture.  Patterson recognizes that every attorney at the firm - from the most senior partner to the most junior associate - brings something unique and valuable to the table.  It's a fundamental part of Patterson's ability to provide the highest level of service to its clients as well as create an atmosphere that fosters collegiality and attorney growth and development."

-- Herman H. Yue

Class of 2007

 

WOMEN LAWYERS AT PATTERSON

 

About WLAP

 

Women Lawyers at Patterson (WLAP) was created in the Spring of 2006, following a discussion at a monthly Associates Committee meeting about the need for women lawyers at the firm to have a forum and affinity group to address issues of professional development, internal and external networking, and firm issues that might resonate particularly with women lawyers. The idea was met with uniform enthusiasm from partners and associates. Shelly Korman, the then managing partner of the firm, convened a few women partners, associates and counsel for the first meeting, and WLAP was born.

 

WLAP organizes bi-monthly gatherings for the women of the firm. The agenda for each gathering is set by a shifting group of volunteer WLAP steering committee members. Each volunteer planning group serves for 3-4 meetings and then the responsibility is rotated to a new group. Laura Butzel acts as the partner chair. Since 2006, WLAP gatherings have included:

 

·                 Informal dinners and get-togethers at partners' homes;

 

·                 Practical workshops on communication and business development for women lawyers;

 

·                 Panels of women partners and counsel discussing their career decisions and trajectories; and

 

·                 A group conversation with the woman President of the City Bar Association.

 

 Each year, WLAP also schedules at least one informal, social event and one substantive gathering to include summer associates.

 

 "As a young woman entering the legal profession, I was fortunate to find some wonderful mentors, both female and male, at Patterson. They took a sincere interest in my career development and have supported my endeavors even after I moved on to other things."

-- Kim Sweet, Executive Director, Advocates for Children

 

"WLAP has promoted an open conversation among women lawyers about many issues, ranging from discussions about different career paths taken by women lawyers, to the importance of mentoring and support networks. Most importantly, WLAP has encouraged the point of view that there are countless paths for women lawyers to take as professionals, and that time spent listening to and learning from one another enriches all of our professional lives."

-- Lisa E. Cleary, Partner

 

OUR DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

 

Our Diversity Committee consists of partners, counsel and associates, our Managing Partner, and the Co-Chair of the firm's Hiring Committee. The Committee meets regularly to discuss ways to continue to enhance diversity at Patterson Belknap, retain minority and women associates and increase diversity at the partner level.

 

Committee members attend external CLE classes and programs to help generate innovative ideas for accomplishing our goal of an increasingly diverse workplace. The Committee works hand-in-hand with the firm's Management Committee to implement diversity training for partners, associates and staff. It has also undertaken a diversity assessment as a basis for future diversity initiatives. Members also participate in the New York City Bar's Diversity Working Sessions and sit on its Committee for Improving Diversity in the Profession.

 

 

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