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Melissa E. Sydney

Melissa E. Sydney

Partner
Biography

Melissa is known as a trusted advisor to both families and individuals. Melissa carefully guides high net worth people through the estate planning and estate administration process. Handling matters both in the United States and internationally, Melissa creates sophisticated and tax-efficient estate plans for her clients. Her counsel includes multigenerational wealth transfers, business succession planning, charitable planning, gift and income tax planning, nuptial agreements and general probate and estate administration.

A leader in her field, Melissa is sought out by organizations to speak on a range of relevant, practical topics. Melissa is the Chair of the firm’s Estate Planning Department. She is fluent in French, and proficient in Hebrew and American Sign Language.
 

Honors & Awards
  • Accredited Estate Planner® Certified by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NEAPC) - 2021
  • Named a U.S. News Best Lawyer for Trusts & Estates Law - 2021-2024
  • Named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters - 2020-2021
  • Recognized as a Massachusetts Rising Star for Estate & Probate Law,  2013-2015
Professional Memberships
  • Boston Estate Planning Council, Board of Directors
  • Boston Bar Association, Co-Chair, Public Policy Committee
  • Boston Women’s Influencer Network
  • USA 500 Member
Publications

“Waxman v. Waxman,” Boston Bar Association Trusts & Estates Blog, October 2013

“Massachusetts Passes Uniform Trust Code,” with Clifford Cohen, Burns & Levinson Trusts & Estates Update, August 2012

Community Involvement
  • American Cancer Society - Planned Giving Advisory Council
  • The Philanthropy Connection
  • Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association
Presentations and Lectures
  • Boston Bar Association CLE, “Trusts & Estates Year in Review,” June 2016
  • Boston Bar Association, “Trusts & Estates Mid-Year Review,” January 2016
  • Boston Bar Association, “Basic Estate Planning Documents,” December 2015
  • Boston Bar Association CLE, “Trusts & Estates Year in Review,” June 2015
  • Boston Bar Association, “Trusts & Estates Mid-Year Review,” January 2014
  • Newton Community Education Seminar, “Aging Parents & Their Adult Children: Strategies & Solutions for Decision-Making,” April 2013
  • C.P.E. Associates, “Federal Transfer Tax Update,” November 2010 and November 2011
  • New England Women in Energy and the Environment, “Estate Planning Basics,” November 2010
  • Massachusetts Association of Public Accountants, “Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007,” November 2008
Credentials

Education

  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University (J.D.)
  • Boston University School of Law (LL.M. Taxation)
  • Oxford University (St. Edmund Hall)
  • Johns Hopkins University (B.A.)

ADMISSIONS

  • Florida Bar
  • Rhode Island Bar
  • New York Bar
  • Massachusetts Bar

Education

  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University (J.D.)
  • Boston University School of Law (LL.M. Taxation)
  • Oxford University (St. Edmund Hall)
  • Johns Hopkins University (B.A.)

Admissions

  • Florida Bar
  • Rhode Island Bar
  • New York Bar
  • Massachusetts Bar