Joseph M. Higgins

Partner

Joseph M. Higgins

Partner

Joseph (Joe) Higgins is a business lawyer and partner with Foley & Lardner LLP in its Estate Planning Practice.

Joe focuses his practice primarily on estate planning and administration, representing owners of closely held businesses, private equity fund principals, and other ultra-high net worth individuals and their families across the country in connection with tax-efficient wealth transfers, charitable giving, and business succession planning. Joe has extensive experience using sophisticated estate planning strategies and structures for these purposes.

Affiliations

  • Member, Leadership Greater Madison
  • Member, Madison Estate Planning Council
  • Member, Wisconsin Association of Charitable Gift Planners
  • Former member, The Young Professional Advisory Committee for The Chicago Community Trust
  • Former member, New Practitioners Committee for Trusts & Estates Magazine

Presentations and Publications

  • Presenter, “Business Succession Planning and Philanthropy,” Wisconsin Association of Charitable Gift Planners (2022)
  • Presenter, “42nd Annual Estate Planning Update 2021: Recent Developments in Estate Planning,” State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE
  • Presenter, “41st Annual Estate Planning Update 2020: Recent Developments in Estate Planning,” State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE
  • Presenter, “Tax Fundamentals for Estate Planning Attorneys, Course,” National Business Institute (2020)
  • Presenter, “Step-Up Basis in Trusts, Estates & LLCs, Course,” National Business Institute (2020)
  • Presenter, “Greater North Shore Estate and Financial Planning Council” (2018)
  • Presenter, “Notre Dame Tax & Estate Planning Institute” (2017)
  • Author, “BDIT 2701: Avoiding Section 2701 by Selling Carried Interest Directly to Beneficiary Defective Inheritor’s Trust,” Estate Planning Magazine
  • Author, “Transfer Tax Playbook,” Trusts & Estates Magazine
  • Author, “Tricky GST Issues,” Bloomberg BNA
  • Contributor, “Year in Review” and “E-Newsletter” Trust & Estates Magazine
  • Contributor, “The Complete Estate Planning Sourcebook,” Wolters Kluwer
  • Author, “Monthly Tax Law Update,” Hennepin County Bar Association