Tom Woessner practices in the areas of estate planning, administration of trusts and estates, estate and gift taxation, fiduciary-income taxation, and foundation tax law. He frequently speaks to individuals and organizations on estate planning, trusts, and related tax matters. He brings a strong financial background to his practice; before entering the legal field, he was a chief financial officer and controller at various companies and a senior accountant at a Big Four accounting firm. He remains a certified public accountant.
Tom is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is a past Chair of the Minnesota Bar Association's Probate and Trust Law Section Council and past Chair of the Hennepin County Bar Association's Probate and Estate Section.
Experience
Representative Matters
Estate Planning
- Reviewing, analyzing, and developing estate plans for clients and preparing the necessary documents. These documents go beyond the basics and include vehicles such as private foundations, Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), Grantor Retained Annunity Trusts (GRATs), Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs), Charitable Lead Annuity Trusts (CLATs), Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs), Self-Cancelling Installment Notes (SCINs) and other sophisticated planning documents
- Planning for executives with stock options
- Planning for retirement plan assets including reducing income tax costs on the distribution of retirement plan assets and protecting assets with trusts
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
American Bar Association
Minnesota Bar Association, Past Chair of the Probate and Trust Law Section Council
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, trusts and estates, 2017-2023
Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2006-2022
Minnesota Super Lawyers, “Top 40 Estate Planning Lawyers,” 2008-present
North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2013
Speaking Engagements
Tom Woessner Shares his Thoughts on the Upcoming Tax Changes with Minnesota Lawyer, June 28, 2013
Board Memberships & Community Service
The Family Partnership, Board Member and Immediate Past Chair of Board of Directors
Minneapolis Downtown Next Generation Lions Club, Member; Past Chair of the Foundation; Past Board of Directors
Catholic Charities, Planned Giving Committee, Member; Past Chair of Planned Giving Committee; Past Member of Board of Directors
Credentials
Education
William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law) (cum laude)
University of St. Thomas (cum laude)
Admissions
Minnesota
Wisconsin
U.S. Tax Court