Thomas Woessner

Thomas J. Woessner

Partner
Minneapolis

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, 2017-2025

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