Overview
Kate is an experienced estate planning attorney and Co-Chair of McDonald Hopkins' Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group. She focuses on advising business owners, executives, and professionals along with their families in all areas of estate, business succession, charitable and tax planning.
She has extensive experience drafting complex estate and business plans, including charitable foundations and trusts, as well as working with clients through the administration of an estate (including both probate and non-probate assets). Kate uses her prior experience in complex business structures and retirement plan drafting to counsel clients regarding complicated business and retirement plan issues.
Kate earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School at Ann Arbor. She received a B.A. from Purdue University.
Honors & Recognition
Named one of the Best Lawyers in America (2021-2024)
Named in Ohio Super Lawyers (2024)
Credentials
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Purdue University
Admissions – Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Admissions – State
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Ohio
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Estate Planning Council of Cleveland, President
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Section
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association – Estate Planning Institute; Former Chair of the Executive Committee
State Bar of Michigan, Probate & Estate Section
Iowa State Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section
Ohio State Bar Association, Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Section
Community Involvement
Cleveland Museum of Art
Gift Planning Advisory Committee; member, former chair
Women's Council member
College Now Mentor
CWRU Estate Planning Advisory Council
Saint Ignatius High School, Member Board of Regents
Union Club Foundation, Member of the Board
University Hospitals Diamond Advisory Group
News & Insights
External News & Publications
"Using no-contest clauses to strengthen your estate plan," Smart Business 2024
"Perpetuate generosity while deriving income advantages," Crain's Cleveland, November 2018
"Grandma and Grandpa Help Out," livespecial.com, 2015 Northeast Ohio Edition
"Stock Options: To Gift or Not to Gift?," Probate Law Journal of Ohio, September/October 2014
"Estate Planning For LGBT Couples," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, June 2013
"What Expecting Parents Should Know About Estate Planning," RBMA Monthly Legal Update Digest April 2013
Events
Speaking Engagements
Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families – Key Elements in Estate Planning, sponsored by the Ohio State Board Association, November 9, 2018
Ohio Case Law and Legislative Update – The Marvin R. Pliskin Advanced Probate and Estate Planning Seminar, sponsored by the Ohio State Board Association, September 15, 2017
Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families – Updates for the Estate Planning Professional, sponsored by KeyBank, May 25, 2017
Planning for Non-Traditional Families During the Trump Presidency – Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, January 17, 2017
Estate Planning Techniques for Non-Traditional Families – Estate Planning Council of Cleveland, December 16, 2016
Chair, Cleveland State University College of Law Alumni Association Estate Planning Seminar, October 2012