Chicago
Trusted advisor to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, multigenerational families, family offices, founders, and business owners on estate planning, philanthropy, governance, and succession
Represents individuals, families, and their charitable entities on the design, implementation, funding, operation, audit, succession, and sunset of tax-exempt entities
Counsels clients on sophisticated estate and wealth transfer planning; business, fiduciary, and family office succession; and the administration of large and complex trusts and estates
Guides families and family offices during critical times, including major family life and business events, transitions, and succession
Neil T. Kawashima is the Global Head of the firm’s Private Client Practice Group and serves as trusted counsel to many of the nation’s most accomplished individuals, families, family offices, and business owners. He advises clients on sophisticated estate and wealth transfer planning, philanthropy, family office governance, business succession, fiduciary matters, and the administration of significant trusts and estates. Clients rely on Neil to help navigate pivotal family and business transitions while preserving wealth, values, and legacy across generations.
Ranked in
Chambers High Net Worth 2025
Ranked in
Best Lawyers in America 2026
- Routinely advises on the design, implementation, funding, and administration of charitable trusts and other philanthropic programs of varying levels of complexity, many exceeding $1 billion
- Primary outside counsel to numerous significant family grantmaking and operating foundations, supporting organizations and other tax-exempt vehicles
- Designed and negotiated hundreds of charitable gifts and pledges involving complex matters, such as naming rights, specialized investment provisions, and restricted purposes
- Advises individuals and families on the charitable use of unusual assets, including collections and business interests
- Coordinates multidisciplinary legal teams on complex matters involving tax, business, and charitable planning
- Long-term advisor to several established individuals, families, and family offices on all aspects of estate and gift planning, philanthropy, estate and trust administration, and succession planning
- Chambers High Net Worth, Illinois: Private Wealth Law, 2018-2026
- Best Lawyers in America, Trusts & Estates, 2009–2026
- American College of Trust & Estate Counsel, Fellow; Charitable Planning Committee
- Lyric Opera of Chicago, Board of Trustees; Planned Giving Committee, Chair
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Board of Trustees
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Board of Trustees; Planned Giving Advisory Committee, Chair
- Economic Club of Chicago, member
- Cornell Law School, JD
- University of Chicago, AB
- Illinois
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
