Law firm merger puts focus on estate planning

Executives with Memphis-based law firm Williams McDaniel on Tuesday announced a merger with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, a move aimed at establishing one of the largest estate planning law groups in the country.

The addition of nine attorneys from 45-year-old Williams McDaniel to Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs increases the firm’s estate planning staff to 27 attorneys. Six of the firm’s attorneys are certified as Estate Planning Specialists and six are fellows of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. And attorney A. Stephen McDaniel has been honored as one of the nation’s top 100 estate planning attorneys by Worth Magazine.

The merger comes at a time of increased client loads for attorneys who focus on estate planning. “Ten thousand baby boomers turn 65 every day and many of them are starting to look seriously at their finances and take measures to see that their assets are protected,” McDaniel said. “Estate plan- ning is a steadily growing field because of an aging population that needs help managing and administering their assets.”

Wyatt counts about 200 lawyers in Memphis; Nashville; New Albany, Ind., Jackson, Miss., and Lexington and Louisville, Ky. Ten of the firm’s estate planning attorneys will work at 1715 Aaron Brenner Drive.

Attorneys joining Wyatt are McDaniel, C. Michael Adams Jr., Edward T. Autry, Marjorie S. Baker, David L. Swilley, Cynthia J. Tobin, Michael L. Womack, Jason D. Salo- mon and Robert D. Malin. The merger will become effective Sept. 1, following the transition of Williams McDaniel personnel to new offices. Due to the anticipated boost in workload, McDaniel said the firm likely will hire several attorneys to focus on estate planning.

“This merger is an excellent fit for both firms,” said Glen Reid, partnerin-charge of Wyatt’s Memphis office. “The addition of these highly talented lawyers contributes to Wyatt’s growing national reputation in estate planning, charitable giving, foundations, special needs counseling, elder law and sophisticated tax planning.”

Added McDaniel, “In addition to Wyatt’s outstanding estate planning practice, the firm offers us experienced lawyers in over 30 other service areas, which we can now offer to our clients. We have a large number of high networth clients who own and operate closely held businesses, where their business affairs are often intertwined with their personal financial planning.” For information, visit wyattfirm.com.