Justak Mel M

Welcome to the platform for Nearby Lawyers. We are pleased to introduce you to Justak Mel M, a highly regarded attorney practicing in Chicago, Illinois. Located at the prominent address of 10 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA, Mel M Justak is part of Reed Smith LLP. Based on available information, Mr. Justak focuses his practice on sophisticated estate planning, particularly for private business owners and their families, as well as related areas such as wealth management and charitable giving.

Environment and Location:

The office of Justak Mel M is situated at 10 South Wacker Drive, a prestigious location in downtown Chicago. This address is home to numerous prominent law firms and businesses, indicating a professional and well-established legal environment. Clients visiting Mr. Justak at Reed Smith LLP can expect a sophisticated and accessible setting suitable for discussing sensitive and complex legal matters related to estate planning and wealth management. The building's stature in the financial district underscores the firm's commitment to providing high-caliber legal services.

Services Offered:

Based on publicly available information, Justak Mel M specializes in Private Client Services, with a particular emphasis on:

• Sophisticated Estate Planning: This includes integrating estate and gift tax planning with the business and personal aspects of succession planning. Techniques employed may include grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), intra-family sales, generation-skipping tax planning, family partnerships, marital agreements, insurance planning, and buy-sell agreements for family businesses.
• Family Office Structures: Advising clients, particularly those who have experienced significant liquidity events, on the implementation and administration of family office structures to manage their wealth.
• Charitable Giving: Counseling clients on various charitable giving techniques, including the formation and administration of private foundations and other non-profit entities.
• Life Insurance Transactions: Representing trustees and lenders in complex, premium financed life insurance transactions.
• Tax Matters: Representing clients in estate and gift tax matters before the Internal Revenue Service and various state tax agencies.

Mr. Justak's practice appears to be comprehensive within the realm of wealth transfer and management, catering to high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and their families.

Features and Expertise:

Justak Mel M brings a wealth of expertise and several notable features to his practice:

• Specialized Focus: His concentration on private client services and estate planning allows for deep expertise in these complex areas of law.
• Recognition: He was recognized as a "Rising Star" by Illinois Super Lawyers from 2009-2011 and has been selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Trusts and Estates for 2025, indicating a high level of professional respect and competence.
• Professional Affiliations: Mr. Justak is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a prestigious organization for trust and estate lawyers. He is also a Past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Trust Law Committee and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. These affiliations demonstrate his active involvement and leadership in the legal community.
• Education: He holds an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center (2002), a J.D., Magna Cum Laude, from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (2001), and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame (1996), reflecting a strong academic background.

The fact that Mr. Justak is part of Reed Smith LLP, a global law firm, suggests that he can also leverage the resources and expertise of a larger organization when needed to address clients' diverse legal and business needs.

While the provided information does not include direct client reviews, his recognition by Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers, along with his ACTEC fellowship, serve as strong indicators of his professional reputation and the high quality of his legal services.

Promotional Information:

For local users in the Nearby Lawyers category seeking expert legal assistance in estate planning, wealth management, and related areas in Chicago, Justak Mel M at Reed Smith LLP is a distinguished choice. Located at 10 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, you can contact him at the phone number: (312) 207-6518 or the mobile phone number: +1 312-207-6518.

If you are a business owner looking to plan for succession, a high-net-worth individual seeking sophisticated estate and tax planning, or someone interested in charitable giving strategies, Mr. Justak's expertise can provide you with tailored and effective solutions. His recognition within the legal community and his affiliations with leading professional organizations underscore his commitment to excellence and his deep understanding of the complexities involved in these areas of law.

We encourage you to reach out to Justak Mel M at Reed Smith LLP to discuss your estate planning and wealth management needs. His experience and focus on private client services make him a valuable resource for individuals and families in the Chicago area.

In summary, Justak Mel M offers:

• Specialized expertise in sophisticated estate planning and wealth management.
• Guidance on family office structures and charitable giving.
• Representation in complex life insurance and tax matters.
• Recognition as a top lawyer in Trusts and Estates.
• Affiliation with the reputable firm Reed Smith LLP, located in downtown Chicago.

For those in the Chicago area seeking a Nearby Lawyer with extensive experience in estate planning and private client services, Justak Mel M at 10 S Wacker Dr is an excellent option. Contact him today to explore how his expertise can benefit you and your family.