Jennifer Z. Flanagan

Jennifer is a Partner in the Firm’s Trusts and Estates Group. She concentrates her practice in all areas of trusts and estates law for a diverse client base, including estate planning, estate administration, trust administration, taxation, and fiduciary advising. She works closely with clients to provide them comprehensive and highly personalized plans that minimize taxes and effectively carry out the clients’ wishes for passing on their legacy. She also assists clients with carrying out their philanthropic goals, providing for family members with special needs, and helping them preserve their assets, including the preparation of prenuptial agreements.

In addition to advising clients on purely domestic estate planning, Jennifer frequently works with individuals who have international planning issues. She counsels such clients on estate planning, gifting, and taxation from the U.S. perspective, including pre-immigration planning, often collaborating with attorneys and other advisors from foreign countries to develop a comprehensive, tax-efficient plan. Jennifer also works with clients on estate settlement involving foreign assets, including preparing estate tax returns, requesting transfer certificates, and ensuring foreign tax reporting compliance.

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Boston College Law School JD (1992)
  • Boston University School of Law LLM in Taxation (1995)
  • Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates from STEP
  • College of the Holy Cross BA (1988)

Publications/Presentations

  • “Federal Income Taxation of Simple and Complex Trusts”, MCLE Basics Plus! program, November 20, 2024
  • “Taxation Relating to Estates,” Probate Practice: MCLE Basics Plus! program, May 8, 2024
  • "Massachusetts Estate Tax Law Update,” On Air with Mirick O’Connell legal podcast (November 22, 2023)

Professional / Community Affiliations

  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Probate Section Council chair
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Boston Estate Planning Council
  • Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
  • Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®)
  • Womenade Boston, Inc., past president and board member
  • Barakat, Inc., past board member