Alison T. Smith elected American College of Trust and Estate Counsel fellow
October 17, 2024
Press Releases
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — (October 17, 2024) McNees attorney Alison T. Smith was elected as a fellow by The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). To receive this distinction, Smith is among those who have demonstrated the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience as trust and estate counselors.
ACTEC is a professional organization of approximately 2,500 lawyers. Those meeting the criteria for membership are nominated by fellows of the college and are subjected to careful review by both state and national membership selection committees prior to consideration by the regents of the college. Fellows are selected on the basis of experience, professional reputation and ability in the fields of trusts and estates and on the basis of having made substantial contributions to these fields through lecturing, writing, teaching and bar activities.
Smith’s practice is focused on fiduciary liability and litigation, trusts and estates, and nonprofit law. In her fiduciary liability and litigation practice, she 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. Before returning to private practice, she served as Chief Counsel at PNC Bank.
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.
Established in 1949, ACTEC is a nonprofit association of approximately 2,400 lawyers and law professors from throughout the U.S. and abroad. ACTEC members (fellows) are peer-elected on the basis of professional reputation and expertise in the preparation of wills and trusts, estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related practice areas. ACTEC’s mission is to improve and reform of probate, trust, and tax laws and procedures and professional practice standards. ACTEC frequently offers technical comments with regard to legislation and regulations but does not take positions on matters of policy or political objectives.
Click here to learn more about ACTEC and the other attorneys elected as fellows.
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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.
