Susan D. Schachne, of counsel to the Firm, is focused in the area of trusts and estates. Ms. Schachne has represented a broad spectrum of individuals and corporations in all aspects of trusts and estate practice. She is experienced in the many facets of estate planning, including planning for death or incapacity and for the succession of business interests. Ms. Schachne co-authored a manual for the Cambridge Institute on the use of “living trusts” in New York as well as an article which appeared in Trusts and Estates Magazine on the use of “estate freezes” under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. In addition, Ms. Schachne has experience in all aspects of estate and trust administration, including probate proceedings, marshalling of assets, overall account administration, income and estate tax planning and judicial and non-judicial accountings. She is also well-versed in the many issues facing executors and trustees and has counseled many such individuals in their fiduciary responsibilities. Ms. Schachne has devoted a substantial amount of time on a pro bono basis to the trusts and estates needs of the elderly and indigent through Volunteers of Legal Services and South Brooklyn Legal Services.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Schachne was associated with the firm Rosenman & Colin. Ms. Schachne received her Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was an editor of the journal, Law and Policy in International Business, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, from Brandeis University. Ms. Schachne is admitted to practice law in the State of New York.