Practice

Private Client Services

Comprehensive Counsel for Private Wealth Clients

Sheppard guides high-net-worth families through sophisticated planning, structuring and tax strategy with discretion and a long-term perspective.  
 
Our deeply experienced team helps clients protect, transfer and manage complex wealth across generations and jurisdictions.  

Trusted Advisors to High-Net-Worth Families and Individuals

Sheppard’s global Private Client practice represents high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, multigenerational families, family offices and trustees. For nearly a century, we have helped clients structure, preserve and transition significant wealth, often across three or more generations.

Our approach is deliberately integrated. We pair estate planning and administration experience with tax, corporate, real estate and fiduciary insight, giving clients coordinated guidance through a single senior advisor who manages the overall relationship. This model ensures alignment across disciplines and responsive service tailored to each family’s needs. 

We advise on sophisticated estate and wealth transfer strategies, domestic and international tax planning, business succession, charitable giving and trust administration. Clients turn to us for assistance with family office formation, family governance frameworks—including family constitutions, codes of ethics and investment policy guidelines—and creating plans aligned with family priorities. 

Sheppard provides experienced fiduciary counseling for trustees, beneficiaries, individuals and family offices. We guide clients through pre-litigation matters and complex disputes involving trusts, estates, conservatorships and probate. Our team integrates compassion and tactical skill, aiming for negotiated solutions but prepared to pursue your interests effectively in court or mediation. 

Read More

Areas of Focus

Cross-Border Counseling
Cross-border matters are a significant part of our work. We assist families with members, assets or businesses in multiple jurisdictions, addressing U.S. tax exposure, entity structuring and coordination with foreign advisors. Whether planning for relocation, acquiring international property or navigating multinational estates, our team offers practical judgment informed by decades of experience.
Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer
Sheppard delivers tailored estate planning and wealth transfer counsel to families and businesses worldwide, protecting assets, minimizing taxes and ensuring legacy goals. Our experienced team crafts sophisticated, tax-efficient strategies for succession, trust administration and complex cross-border planning, guiding clients through every phase with discretion and technical skill. 
Fiduciary Litigation
We represent clients in will and trust contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, trustee accounting, elder abuse matters and conservatorship proceedings. Our team is experienced in trial and negotiation, safeguarding your interests at every stage. We handle disputes alleging lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud or improper execution and advise on litigation involving trustees, executors or agents.

2025 Best Law Firms Badge2025 Chambers Hight Net Worth Badge