Family Office

What Do We Do

• Advise on the formation of family offices and related governance structures, including ownership models and operating frameworks.
• Counsel families on governance, decision-making, and fiduciary considerations as family members assume management and oversight roles.
• Assist with the coordination of tax planning, estate planning, and wealth transfer strategies, working alongside other advisors where appropriate.
• Provide legal guidance related to family office operations, including employment matters, compensation structures, and regulatory considerations.
• Support investment-related activities, including real estate transactions, private equity investments, and fund formation, depending on the family office’s mandate.
• Advise on dispute avoidance strategies and represent family offices in related disputes or litigation when issues arise.

Who Do We Help

• Single-family offices
• Multi-family offices
• High net-worth individuals and families
• Owners of closely held and family-owned businesses
• Private trust companies

How Can We Help

Families often seek legal support when establishing a family office, implementing governance frameworks, planning for succession, restructuring operations, responding to regulatory or compliance issues, or managing disputes among stakeholders.

Our Experience

For more than a century, advising private companies and their owners has been a core part of our practice. We have represented established private and family-owned businesses through multiple generations, counseling families as they execute long-term visions, address governance challenges, and manage transitions in ownership and leadership.

Representative areas of engagement include:

• Advising families on the creation and ongoing governance of family offices
• Supporting multigenerational succession planning and leadership transitions
• Counseling family offices on investments, operations, and regulatory considerations
• Assisting with dispute avoidance and resolution involving family-owned enterprises

Recognitions

Chambers High Net Worth – Private Wealth (National and Illinois; New York; Washington, DC)

Chambers USA – Wealth Management, Nationwide

Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” – Trusts & Estates Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a family office from a legal perspective?

A family office is typically structured as a privately owned entity that manages investments, operations, and administrative functions for one or more families. Legal considerations may include entity formation, governance, regulatory exposure, employment matters, and fiduciary responsibilities.

When does it make sense to create a formal family office?

Families often consider forming a family office as wealth grows, investments diversify, or governance and reporting needs become more complex. The appropriate structure and timing depend on the family’s objectives, asset mix, and long-term planning considerations.

How do family offices address governance across generations?

Governance frameworks can help clarify decision-making authority, roles, compensation, and succession planning. These structures are often designed to evolve over time as responsibilities shift among family members and professional managers.

How does a family office coordinate with other advisors?

Family offices commonly work alongside investment advisors, accountants, and other professionals. Legal counsel often plays a coordinating role, helping align governance, tax planning, and operational considerations across advisory teams.