Former PNC Bank Chief Counsel Alison T. Smith joins McNees’ Pittsburgh team
September 16, 2024
Press Releases
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — (Sept. 16, 2024) Attorney Alison T. Smith has joined McNees Wallace & Nurick’s Pittsburgh team, bringing 28 years of experience in fiduciary, nonprofit and estate planning law.
Key notes:
- Alison T. Smith joined McNees’ Pittsburgh office as Of Counsel in the firm’s Orphans’ Court Litigation, Estate Planning and Charitable and Nonprofit
- Smith focuses her practice on fiduciary litigation, trusts and estates, and nonprofit law, providing comprehensive legal advice to clients across Pennsylvania. Before returning to private practice, she served as Chief Counsel at PNC Bank, a leading national financial institution, where she provided support to the bank’s asset management group on legal matters related to the administration of estates and trusts and fiduciary liability.
- She is joining a growing team of 15 attorneys, paralegals and government affairs professionals serving clients from McNees’ Pittsburgh office.
“Alison brings extensive experience in three intricate legal areas honed over years of dedicated practice,” McNees Chair Brian Jackson said. “She is a passionate advocate for her community and a dedicated mentor to younger attorneys, qualities that align perfectly with McNees’ commitment to excellence and service.”
In her fiduciary liability and litigation practice, Smith advises corporate fiduciaries and banks on fiduciary risk management and compliance and provides representation in Orphans’ Courts proceedings. She counsels clients on estate and trust administration, estate planning and business succession planning. Smith also provides legal counsel to nonprofit organizations on formation, governance, stewardship of charitable gifts, mergers and tax-exempt status as well as assists with the administration of charitable trusts and foundations.
Smith is passionate about providing access to estate planning legal services for low-income individuals and families. The Pennsylvania Bar Association has recognized Smith for her work by honoring her with the Louis J. Goffman Award in 2023 and the Special Achievement Award in 2022 for her dedication and leadership in establishing estate planning clinics for low-income clients and developing a model template that includes orientation training for PBA members to deliver service for these individuals.
Smith is actively involved in organizations and initiatives that further the legal profession. She is the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section Delegate to the PBA House of Delegates, a member of the Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission Decedents’ Estates Laws Advisory Committee and regularly serves as a course planner and speaker for Pennsylvania Bar Institute sessions concerning estates, trusts and charitable organizations.
McNees’ Pittsburgh office, which has been growing rapidly since its opening in 2021, now has a team of 15 attorneys, paralegals and government relations professionals serving clients in western Pennsylvania. Earlier this year, former Pittsburgh City Controller Michael E. Lamb also joined the firm’s public finance and government services group. McNees relocated to One Oxford Centre in 2022 to accommodate planned growth and also expanded its bench of legal services based there, including privacy and data security, construction, intellectual property and healthcare regulatory and compliance as well as lobbying and government affairs.
About the Orphans’ Court Litigation team
McNees’ Orphans’ Court litigation team is led by Kendra D. McGuire and represents clients across Pennsylvania in disputes regarding trusts, estates, guardianships and powers of attorney. The team has extensive experience litigating complex matters, including trust interpretation and reformation, estate administration, private foundation issues and will contests.
About the Estate Planning team
McNees Wallace & Nurick’s estate planning practice assists individuals, families and businesses across Pennsylvania in crafting comprehensive estate plans. The team specializes in drafting wills, trusts (including revocable and irrevocable trusts, annuity trusts and charity trusts) and other estate planning documents. Led by Vance E. Antonacci, the team ensures clients’ wishes are clearly communicated and guides clients through tax and probate considerations to maximize the transfer of wealth and minimize future complications.
About the Charitable and Nonprofit team
Led by Martha “Frannie” Reilly, McNees’ Charitable and Nonprofit Group provides a full spectrum of legal services tailored to non-profit organizations including formation, governance, navigating tax-exempt status and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
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McNees is a multidisciplinary law firm founded in 1935 with more than 150 attorneys representing businesses, associations, institutions, municipalities and individuals. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Devon, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Scranton, State College and York, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Frederick and Towson, Md.; and Washington, D.C. McNees is a member of the ALFA International Global Legal Network.
