A trusts and estate-planning attorney has joined the Houston office of Fulbright as senior counsel.

Celeste C. Lawton comes to Fulbright’s Tax Department from Duane Morris L.L.P. in Philadelphia, where she assisted clients in all aspects of their estate planning.

“Fulbright and its clients will benefit from the addition of this experienced trusts and estates attorney,” said Steven B. Pfeiffer, the Chair of Fulbright’s Executive Committee. “Celeste has extensive experience with wealth transfer planning that will allow her to handle complex issues for our clients.”

With more than a decade of experience, Lawton has prepared traditional and complex wills, guardianship avoidance documents, and revocable and irrevocable trusts, including intentionally defective grantor trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, life insurance trusts, charitable lead trusts, and charitable remainder trusts. She also has experience preparing non-judicial settlement agreements, receipt and releases related to trust terminations and trustee resignations, and complex settlement agreements between divorcing spouses involving various income, gift, and estate tax issues.

Further, Lawton has handled all aspects of probate administration and has assisted trust and estate fiduciaries and beneficiaries in the handling of complex trust and estate administration issues, including the management and distribution of trust and estate assets and preparation of estate tax returns.

“Celeste is a fine addition to a versatile Trusts and Estates Practice Group,” said John R. Allender, Chair of Fulbright’s Tax Department. “Her knowledge of estate and trust administration laws is impressive. We know our clients expect and deserve that level of experience.”

Lawton received her LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law, prior to which she received her J.D. from the Baylor University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude and finishing first in her class. She earned her B.S. from Texas A&M University, graduating magna cum laude.

“It is my desire to enhance our wealth management practice at Fulbright,” said Lawton. “I look forward to working with the talented group of attorneys already in place and assisting our clients with all aspects of estate planning needs.”

Lawton is board certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association, the Houston Estate and Financial Forum, the Houston Estate Planners Association, and the Texas Aggie Bar Association.

“Celeste’s wealth-planning experience is a fine complement to the firm,” said Shauna Clark, the Partner-in-Charge of Fulbright’s Houston Office. “She is a gifted attorney whose skills should allow her to contribute immediately.”

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