Cummings & Lockwood LLC
 Courthouse Columns

News & Insights

How to Successfully Address Common Soft Issues in Estate Planning Conferences

December 3, 2025

In this video, Daniel G. Johnson, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group and based in the firm’s Stamford, Connecticut office, covers the most appreciated advice during an estate planning conference which can frequently stem from a discussion about a soft issue that is unrelated to tax savings. 

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts

December 3, 2025

In this video, Douglas H. Olin, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group and based in the firm’s Greenwich, Connecticut office, covers how to structure and administer a successful Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (“GRAT”) and strategies to set clients up for success.

2025-2026 Estate and Gift Tax Law Update

December 3, 2025

In this video, Katherine C. Gent, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group and based in the firm’s Stamford, Connecticut office, reviews the current federal, Connecticut and New York estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax laws. 

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What You Need to Know for Estate, Gift and Income Tax Planning

December 3, 2025

In this video, Eva V. Kliegman, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group and based in the firm’s Greenwich, Connecticut office, covers the aspects of the new tax legislation that affect estate, gift and income tax planning.

Private Foundations: Avoiding Self-Dealing Pitfalls

December 3, 2025

In this video, Brianna L. Marquis, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Private Clients Group and based in the firm’s West Hartford, Connecticut office, covers the tips for successfully administering charitable foundations and provides an in-depth look at the pitfalls of self-dealing

The Benefits and Limitations of 1031 Exchanges for High Net Worth Investors

December 3, 2025

In this video, Scott T. Witthuhn, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Commercial Real Estate and Corporate and Finance Groups and based in the firm’s Stamford, Connecticut office, discusses an overview of the nature, potential benefits and process of 1031 exchanges, particularly for wealth planning purposes. 

Trust and Estate Disputes: How to Spot Red Flags and Minimize Risk

December 3, 2025

In this video, Wyatt R. Jansen, a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood’s Fiduciary and Probate Litigation Group and Litigation Group, and Charles W. Pieterse, a Principal and Co-Chair of Cummings & Lockwood's Fiduciary and Probate Litigation Group, both based in the firm’s Stamford, Connecticut office, cover the common warning signs of impending disputes and how to triage a simmering dispute before it boils over, including strategies for minimizing risk. 

2025 Private Clients Annual Update

November 18, 2025

We hope that you and your family are enjoying a peaceful and healthy 2025.  This past year has brought a lot of changes and political and economic debate in Washington and nationally, but for once we find ourselves ending the year with a new level of predictability in the federal gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer (“GST”) tax regime.

Cummings & Lockwood Selected by Best Lawyers® As a Best Law Firm in Its 2026 Edition

November 7, 2025

Cummings & Lockwood is pleased to announce that Cummings & Lockwood was selected by Best Lawyers® as a Best Law Firm in their 2026 edition in 15 practice areas and across four geographic regions where the firm has offices.

In Memoriam – Gina D. Silvestri

November 6, 2025

It is with profound sadness that Cummings & Lockwood announces the death of our partner, Gina D. Silvestri, who had a stellar 37 year career with the firm and was most recently based in the Greenwich office, having also been resident in the West Hartford and Stamford offices earlier in her career. 

21 Cummings & Lockwood Attorneys Have Been Named Connecticut Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in 2025

October 22, 2025

21 Cummings & Lockwood attorneys have been named Connecticut Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in 2025 by Super Lawyers. 

IRS Issues Final Regulations on Roth Catch-Up Provisions

October 14, 2025

On September 15, the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations which implement the mandatory Roth catch-up contribution rule enacted as part of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (the “SECURE Act”).