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Lawyers

Jillian E. Merns

Lawyers

Co-head of Trusts & Estates. Deep experience in all aspects of estate planning and administration for high-net-worth individuals and their families. 

Jillian is co-head of our Trusts & Estates practice. She has deep experience in all aspects of estate planning and administration, with an emphasis on developing sophisticated plans for high-net-worth individuals and their families. Her practice includes preparing complex wills and trust agreements and counseling on estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax matters. She represents clients in estate and gift tax audits and counsels clients in all phases of the administration of decedents’ estates and trusts.

Jillian also advises on the creation of single family offices and works with many family offices on an ongoing basis to provide comprehensive solutions to the complex issues facing today’s wealthiest families.

Jillian is a member of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Her work is recognized by Chambers USA, where a source says Jillian is “an outstanding professional with exceptional client service skills.”

Education

LL.M., New York University School of Law
J.D., Columbia Law School
  • James Kent Scholar
B.A., Political Science, Yale University

Prior experience

  • Partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, 2020-2025
  • Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, 2011-2019
  • Associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, 2008-2011

Qualifications and admissions

  • State of New York
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