Overview
Neil T. Kawashima is the head of the Firm’s Private Client Practice Group and has a diverse practice, representing wealthy individuals and families in matters related to philanthropy and assisting clients with estate and wealth transfer planning, business succession and governance, and estate and trust administration. Neil’s clients include philanthropists, owners of privately held businesses, beneficiaries of long-term trusts, fiduciaries and entrepreneurs.
A significant portion of Neil’s practice is focused on philanthropic matters. He counsels individuals and families on charitable giving strategies, helping them to create tax-exempt entities, including private foundations, operating foundations, public charities, supporting organizations and social welfare organizations.
Neil also has significant experience counseling his clients on the design and implementation of charitable gift and pledge agreements, split-interest charitable trusts and other charitable giving strategies. He advises clients on issues concerning donative intent, “mission drift,” long-term governance of philanthropic vehicles and charitable components of family offices and family investment structure.
On behalf of his clients, Neil has negotiated major gifts with charitable organizations and has helped his clients identify, formulate and enforce their charitable goals. Neil has significant experience advising clients on state and federal audits related to charitable organizations and charitable giving.
Neil frequently speaks and writes on matters involving philanthropy.
Results
- Routinely advises on the design, implementation, funding and administration of split-interest charitable trusts of varying levels of complexity, some exceeding $1 billion
- Advised regarding the design, funding, governance and long-term administration of numerous charitable organizations and trusts
- Designed and negotiated scores of charitable gifts and pledges ranging from less than $1 million to more than $1 billion
- Advised in multiple situations on the contribution of interests in operating businesses to charitable vehicles
- Advised and negotiated dozens of charitable agreements dealing with naming rights, specialized investment provisions and restricted purposes
Recognitions
- Chambers High Net Worth, Illinois: Private Wealth Law, 2018–2024
- Best Lawyers in America, Trusts & Estates, Chicago, 2009–2025
- Chambers USA
Community
- American College of Trust & Estate Counsel, Fellow; Charitable Planning Committee, Member
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Board of Trustees, Member
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Board of Trustees, Member; Planned Giving Advisory Committee, Chair
- Lyric Opera of Chicago, Board of Trustees, Member; Planned Giving Committee, Chair
- Economic Club of Chicago, Member
Credentials
Education
Cornell Law School, JD, 1996
University of Chicago, AB, 1993
Admissions
Illinois
Courts/Agencies
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
