ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL OF SAN DIEGO

Topic:

Top 10 Things Domestic Partners Need To Know About International Estate Planning
Speakers: Michelle Graham & Helen Cheng

From FBAR to Revocation of Wills, Michelle and Helen will discuss the most important issues facing those of us who work with clients in non-U.S. jurisdictions.  What are the biggest challenges facing your cross-border clients?  What are the provisions that are most likely to trip you up?  Hear from two experts in cross-border estate planning, Michelle Graham of Withers Worldwide and Helen Cheng of Greenberg Traurig. 
 

Michelle Graham | Private Wealth Services Lawyer of Greenberg Traurig LLP
 

Michelle focuses her practice on estate planning and tax planning strategies for domestic and international clients.  She advises U.S. and non U.S. individuals on tax planning matters, including strategies to minimize global taxation and IRS compliance regarding foreign reporting. 

Michelle works with non U.S. individuals investing in the United States and U.S. individuals residing abroad on their U.S. tax filings and global estate planning.  Her cross-border experience spans Latin America, Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East.  She also assists migrating clients, including corporate executives moving between states or internationally, and those retiring or acquiring second homes in California.

In addition, Michelle advises on complex planning issues for family businesses, including structuring and implementing intra-family sales, buy-sell agreements, and family business succession planning. 

Michelle has been recognized by Chambers High Net Worth Guide in the area of Private Wealth Law-Southern California since 2020.  She is a recommended lawyer by The Legal 500 US in 2024 in the area of International Tax. Michelle is also ranked in Legal Week's Private Client Global Elite, Best Lawyers in America®, San Diego's Magazine's 'Top Lawyers,' San Diego Super Lawyers, and Women Leaders in the Law. She has achieved a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rating.

Helen Cheng | Partner of Withers Worldwide
 

Helen is a partner in the private client and tax team.  She is a trusts and estates attorney who focuses on exempt organizations and international tax planning for inbound and outbound transactions.  She assists clients in all aspects of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and charitable planning.  

Helen brings a diversity of experience to her clients.  After graduating from Stanford Law School, she practiced international corporate tax law in China and California where she worked with multinational corporations, such as Oracle, Intel and Seagate, on sophisticated international tax planning techniques.  Helen is also certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

Previously, Helen worked at the San Diego Zoo to create its licensing and technology transfer program.  She was directly responsible for the creation of the San Diego Zoo Global Centre for Bioinspiration and worked with companies such as Procter and Gamble, WD-40, Nike and Qualcomm to develop technologies inspired by nature.  

Helen currently serves as chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners San Diego branch (STEP SD) and on the STEP USA board of directors.  She is also general counsel for the International Community Foundation and a board member at the Balboa Art Conservation Center.  Helen is recognized as a Best Lawyers "One to Watch" for 2022, 2023, and 2024 .  She is also recognized as a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 US 2024 guide in the area of Not-For-Profit tax.  

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