Lauren uses a collaborative approach and technical expertise to advise individuals, families, and businesses on tax planning and succession issues.
Overview
Lauren works with individuals, families, and closely-held businesses to identify their estate planning goals and craft plans that best serve their interests. She works with clients on tax planning, charitable giving, business succession planning, prenuptial agreements, estate administration and disputed probate and trust matters.
Lauren’s training as a qualified mediator informs her approach to resolving probate, trust, and family business disputes, and her practice with individuals and families in estate planning. Her understanding of human dynamics, along with her technical skills, helps her guide individuals and families through some of life's most challenging events.
Experience
Advises multi-generation, high net-worth families, closely-held businesses, and start-up founders on estate planning, assisting with orderly, tax-advantaged wealth transfer and stewardship of family-owned businesses.
Advises on complex charitable giving.
Supports, advises, and advocates for clients in disputed probate and trust administration matters, as well as IRS examinations and audits. She advises on a wide range of estate-related tax compliance issues.
Advises on determination of heirship, valuation issues, and estate tax reporting. She served as counsel to the Special Administrator of one of the largest and most notable intestate estates in recent history.
Counsels nonprofit organizations, including public charities, private foundations, and community foundations, on creation, tax exemption, governance, gift acceptance policies, and receipt and administration of planned and complex charitable gifts.
Lauren is deeply committed to pro bono work. She volunteers with the Minnesota Council for Veterans Legal Clinic, assisting veterans with estate planning, and provides immigration counsel and guardianship assistance to the local immigrant community through the firm’s Deinard Legal Clinic.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
"Planning Strategies for the Middle Rich: A Scenario Based Discussion," Estate Planning for Minnesota's Middle Rich, December 2024
"Liars, Cheaters and Family Businesses," LCS Seminar, October 2024
"Large Estates Panel for 2024: Planning in Uncertain Economic Times," Probate & Trust Law Section Conference, June 2024
"Probate A to Z: Closing and Distribution," Minnesota CLE, February 2024
"2023 Large Estates Panel: Planning in Uncertain Economic Times," 2023 Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, June 2023
"Planning Techniques and Opportunities to Help Your Clients Navigate Their Jurisdiction-Hopping Lifestyle: A Scenario-Based Discussion," Estate Planning Across Borders, October 2022
"T&E 101: Trust and Estates for the Donor Advisor," Minnesota Planned Giving Council Annual Conference, October 2018
Publications
"Single-Member LLCs: Planning for Incapacity and Death," Hennepin Lawyer, March/April 2016
"Cultivating Farmers’ Rights: Reconciling Food Security, Indigenous Agriculture, and TRIPS," 43 Vand J. Transnat’l L. 223, 2010 – Winner of the Grace Wilson Sims Prize for Excellence in Student Writing in Transnational Law
Recognitions
Recognitions
Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, 2023-2025
Recognized as an "Up & Coming Attorney" for 2019 by Minnesota Lawyer
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Minnesota Orchestra Board Member, 2024 – present
Hennepin County Probate Court's ADR Project, Volunteer Mediator
Youth Farm, former Treasurer and Board Member
Fourth Generation Fund - The Minneapolis Foundation, former Advisory Board Member
Hennepin County Bar Association, former Probate and Trust Law Section Program Chair and Co-Vice Chair, 2013 - 2015
Stinson Minneapolis Pro Bono Committee
American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
Florida Bar Association
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- Florida
- Minnesota
Education
Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., Political Science and Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies, with honors
