- OVERVIEW
- INSIGHTS
PRACTICES
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Education
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University of Chicago,
J.D., 1979
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University of Pennsylvania,
B.A., cum laude, 1976
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Admissions
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Illinois
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US Ct Appeals, 3rd Circuit (Covers DE, NJ, PA, Virgin Islands)
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US Ct Appeals, 9th Circuit (AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, Guam, M. Isles)
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Illinois USDC, Northern District
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US Tax Ct
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Affiliations
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American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Fellow
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American Bar Association
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Chicago Estate Planning Council
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Estate Planning Magazine
Member, Editorial Board
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Recognitions
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Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (by BL Rankings), 2005-2024
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Listed in Illinois Super Lawyers (by Thomson Reuters), 2007-2022
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Recognized by his peers in "Leading Lawyers" (by Law Bulletin Media) in the category of Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law - 2003
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 2012-Present
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Levin Schreder & Carey
Partner, 2010-2012
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Schiff Hardin
Partner, 1994-2009
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Shefsky & Froelich
Partner 1990-1994
Associate, 1988-1989
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Schiff Hardin & Waite
Associate, 1979-1985
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Scott's practice focuses in the areas of family wealth preservation, federal transfer taxation and family business planning.
He counsels individuals with their personal estate planning and owners of closely held businesses with business succession and related issues. Additionally, he represents executors and trustees in the administration of estates and trusts, as well as taxpayers and their executors in gift and estate tax audits.
Scott enjoys serving private clients because of the personal nature of the representation and the opportunity to help in areas that extend beyond traditional estate planning, such as matters related to operation of family businesses. Given the complicated laws private clients face, Scott prides himself in not "over-lawyering" matters and aims to translate the law in simple terms so that clients understand and follow the best path to meet their objectives.
In addition to representing individuals, Scott also advises public and private charitable organizations.
Scott is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is recognized by Illinois Super Lawyers (by Thomson Reuters) in estate planning and probate. He is also named in The Best Lawyers in America® (by BL Rankings) in the area of trusts and estates. In addition, Scott is an editorial board member of Estate Planning Magazine.
Thompson Coburn Publications
Year-end planning just got a whole lot more complicated
The 2020 repeal of stretch IRAs: How will it affect estate planning?
What the new Illinois Trust Code means for trustees and beneficiaries
Spinning straw into gold: Modifying irrevocable trusts
Strategies for estate planning during a divorce
New laws may give fiduciaries power to access digital assets
Filing Form 709: Beyond the basics of gift tax returns
Blogs
Digital assets creates new complications for estate planning
Publications
"Spinning straw into gold: Modifying irrevocable trusts";
Estate Planning, January 2019
"Strategies for estate planning during a divorce";
October 2018
"Digital Assets After Death";
St. Louis Association of Corporate Counsel, October 2017
"New laws may give fiduciaries power to access digital assets";
February 2017
"Filing Form 709-- Beyond the Basics of Gift Tax Returns";
Estate Planning, April 2016
"Trustee's Duties Extend to Remainder Beneficiaries, Too";
Estate Planning, November 2011
"Trust Severances and Other Planning Under the New Final and Proposed GST Regulations";
Estate Planning, January 2008
"Sell Trust Real Estate?-- A Capital Idea if Handled Properly";
Estate Planning, July 2007
"Planning with Grantor Charitable Lead Annuity Trusts";
Estate Planning, August 2006
Presentations
"Recent Developments and Current Estate Planning Issues"
DuPage County Estate Planning Council, March 2020
"Remainder Beneficiaries Are Beneficiaries, Too";
ALI-ABA, July 2011
"Is Any Trust Really Irrevocable";
ALI-ABA, July 2014
"Estate & Gift Tax Planning with the New $5M Exclusion";
Illinois CPA Society 2012 Estate & Gift Tax Conference, May 2012