David R. Hodgman concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, contested estates, trust litigation and private foundations.

He has represented numerous corporate and individual fiduciaries with respect to federal and state income and estate tax disputes as well as other non-tax matters, including fiduciary liability litigation.

A significant amount of his work also involves estate, gift, and income tax planning for families and individuals including tax planning for closely held family businesses.

Mr. Hodgman is a former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Probate Practice — Legislative Committee.

Publications

“IDGT On Steroids — Current Conditions Strengthen Benefits,” Estate Planning (July, 2011)

"Designating the Application of Another State’s Laws in a Trust," (co-author) The Practical Practitioner, Estate Planning, Vol. 38, No. 4 (April 2011)

"Solutions for Cash Flow Problems of a GRAT," Estate Planning (November 2010)

"Non-Qualified Charitable Trusts," (co-author) Trusts & Estates: Charitable Giving Supplement (October 2010)

"Scratching Your Head Over 2010 Estate Plans?" Trusts & Estates (August 2010)

"Terminating a NIMCRUT: What Are the Tax Consequences and Other Issues?" Estate Planning (October 2009)

"Using a Contract to Make A Will to Protect Children's Inheritance," Estate Planning (September 2009)

"Trust Severances and Other Planning Under the New Final and Proposed GST Regulations," Estate Planning (January 2008)

"Planning with Grantor Charitable Lead Annuity Trusts," Estate Planning (August 2006)

"The Kindest Cut of All — Proposed Regulations For Making Qualified GST Severances," Estate Planning (March 2005)

"Practical Solutions for PHCs and C Corporation Investment Companies," Estate Planning (September 2004)

"Judicial Reformation of Trusts: The Last Chance to Change a Trust," Trusts & Investments (November/December 2003)

"IRS Rulings Provide Guidance on Early Termination of CRUT's," Estate Planning (January 2003)

"Private Foundations: Maintaining Donor Control," Estate Planning Studies, Harris Bank (April 2002)

"Carryover Basis: Planning and Drafting Issue," Estate Planning (December 2001)

"Judicial Reformation of Trusts — The Drafting Tool of Last Resort," Estate Planning (June 2001)

"Can Incentive Trust Encourage Children to Behave Responsibly?" Estate Planning (December 2000)

"New Proposed Regulations Explain Permitted Changes to GST Grandfathered Trusts," Estate Planning (March/April 2000)

"Final Regulations Offer Guidance and Opportunities for CRTs," Estate Planning (May 1999)

"Designing Private Foundations — Avoid the Cookie-Cutter Approach" Estate Planning (December 1998)

"Drafting for the Marital Deduction in Light of the New Family-Owned Business Exclusion," Estate Planning (June 1998)

"Drafting Flexible Irrevocable Trusts," Estate Planning (June1996)

"The 'Double-Skip' Trust — A Valuable GST Tax Planning Tool," Estate Planning (September/October 1995)

"Qualified Personal Residence Trusts Yield Tax Savings," Estate Planning (July/August 1995)

"Analyzing GRATS: Does the Emperor Have Any Clothes?" Trusts and Estates (May 1995)

"Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts and S Corporation Stock," Trusts and Estates (December 1993)

"Fiduciary Problems with Insurance Trusts," ACTEC Notes (Winter 1992)

Speeches and Presentations

He is a frequent speaker and member of the planning committees for numerous seminars conducted by groups, such as the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE), the Chicago Bar Association, and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel in the areas of probate and estate planning.

Awards and Honors

Best Lawyers In America, Trusts and Estates

Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)

Illinois Super Lawyers — Estate Planning and Probate

Leading Lawyer — Wealth Management, Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business

Leading Lawyer — Tax Law: Business; Tax Law: Individual; Trust, Will and Estate Planning Law, Illinois Leading Lawyers Network

AV Rated — Martindale-Hubbell

Top 100 Attorneys — Worth Magazine (2006, 2008)