Bio

Michael Gooen designs and implements wealth transfer plans, including wills, trusts, and other estate plan instruments, for families and closely held businesses. Michael is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), the preeminent organization of trust and estate lawyers in the U.S. He has been recognized for his private wealth law and tax practices by Chambers High Net Worth, The Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers. Many of Michael's clients are successful professionals with first-generation wealth. Unlike "old money" families, for whom estate planning is already an integral part of the culture, these clients are thinking about wealth transfer for the very first time. They frequently face the issue with some discomfort but recognize that taxes, intrafamily conflict, and other factors can lead to financial catastrophe. Michael helps navigate the complexities of business transitions and assists clients in passing their wealth as tax-efficiently as possible, with proper safeguards in place so that assets provide more benefits than burdens to future generations. Clients with closely held businesses, including companies in the financial services industry, particularly value Michael's substantial experience in transactional tax planning, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions and partnership formations. He moves at the client's pace, speaks the client's language, and stays attuned to the complexities of each enterprise. Michael is particularly adept at designing complex ownership agreements for closely held entities and then advising the equity holders in their personal wealth transfer planning.