Scott A. Sissel

For affluent families and successful business owners across Illinois, navigating the complexities of wealth preservation, generational transfer, and business succession requires a unique blend of legal acumen, tax expertise, and strategic foresight. In this highly specialized field, Scott A. Sissel stands out as a distinguished attorney in Chicago, offering sophisticated and comprehensive guidance. With an impressive background that includes not only a Juris Doctor (JD) but also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Northwestern University, Scott provides a multi-disciplinary approach that is truly exceptional.

Scott A. Sissel's practice is primarily dedicated to serving ultra-high net worth families, often with wealth ranging from $25 million to over $500 million, as well as medium and large closely-owned family businesses across diverse sectors such as manufacturing, construction, real estate, agriculture, and technology. He understands that for these clients, estate tax planning and business succession are not just legal tasks but integral components of a holistic wealth management strategy. His early and extensive experience at a Tier 1 nationally ranked law firm in Chicago, coupled with his leadership role in the trusts and estates group at Duggan Bertsch, has equipped him with the deep expertise necessary to navigate the most intricate estate tax matters and challenging business transitions. Scott and his team are committed to providing meticulous attention to detail, proactive planning, and innovative solutions, ensuring that their clients' legacies are protected and their long-term financial goals are achieved with precision and peace of mind.

Scott A. Sissel's legal practice is based in the vibrant and easily accessible heart of downtown Chicago, making it a convenient location for his sophisticated clientele across Illinois. The office is situated at 303 W Madison St #1000, Chicago, IL 60606, USA. This prominent address places the firm within a key financial and legal district, ensuring straightforward access for individuals and business owners commuting from various parts of the city and wider Chicagoland area.

The office at 303 W Madison Street offers excellent connectivity via Chicago's extensive public transportation network. It is ideally positioned near major CTA train stations, including those serving the Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines, with stops like Washington/Wells and Clark/Lake within very close proximity. Numerous CTA bus routes also service the immediate area, providing comprehensive coverage and simplifying the commute for clients utilizing public transport.

For those traveling by Metra commuter rail, major downtown stations such as Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station are within easy walking distance, further enhancing the firm's accessibility for clients traveling from other parts of Illinois. This strategic placement underscores the firm's understanding of the importance of convenient access for busy professionals and families managing complex financial matters.

While specific parking information for the 303 W Madison Street building itself may vary, the surrounding downtown area offers a variety of public parking garages, providing options for clients who prefer to drive. The central, well-connected location ensures that regardless of their preferred mode of transport, clients can efficiently and comfortably access the high-level expertise offered by Scott A. Sissel and his team.

Scott A. Sissel's practice focuses on highly specialized areas of law, primarily catering to the unique and complex needs of ultra-high net worth families and owners of closely-held businesses. His multi-disciplinary background as a JD, CPA, and LL.M. in Taxation allows him to offer integrated legal and financial strategies. Key services offered include:

• Estate Tax Planning: Designing sophisticated strategies to minimize estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes for high-net-worth individuals and families, often with estates ranging from $25 million to over $500 million. This includes leveraging various trusts and advanced planning techniques.
• Business Succession Matters: Guiding owners of closely-held family businesses (across sectors like manufacturing, construction, real estate, agriculture, and technology) through the complex process of transitioning ownership and management to the next generation or to external parties, ensuring continuity and tax efficiency.
• Wealth Management and Preservation: Providing comprehensive legal advice on the protection and growth of multi-generational wealth, integrating tax, legal, and financial considerations.
• Trusts and Estates: Drafting and administering various types of trusts, wills, and other estate planning documents tailored to complex family structures and significant asset portfolios. This includes revocable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), and more.
• Family Office Representation: Working with and advising family offices on legal and tax aspects of their operations, wealth management, and intergenerational planning.
• Corporate Executive Planning: Assisting corporate executives with their personal and business planning needs, including stock options, deferred compensation, and other executive benefits within the context of their overall estate.
• Philanthropic Planning: Advising on charitable giving strategies to achieve philanthropic goals while also providing tax benefits.
• Tax Compliance and Consulting: Leveraging his CPA and LL.M. in Taxation to offer advanced tax consulting related to estate and business planning, ensuring compliance and optimizing tax efficiency.

Scott A. Sissel distinguishes himself through a combination of impressive credentials, specialized focus, and a strategic approach to client service. These features and highlights underscore his unique position as a premier legal advisor for complex wealth management in Illinois:

• Multi-Disciplinary Expertise: Holding a Juris Doctor (JD), being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and possessing a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Northwestern University, Scott provides a rare blend of legal, accounting, and tax knowledge. This integrated expertise is invaluable for ultra-high net worth families and businesses.
• Ultra-High Net Worth Focus: His practice is specifically tailored to clients with significant wealth (typically $25MM – $500MM+) and large, closely-owned family businesses. This specialization ensures a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by this demographic.
• Tier 1 Firm Experience: Scott's early career at a Tier 1 nationally ranked law firm in Chicago provided him with a foundational experience in handling complex matters for high-profile clients, setting a high standard for his current practice.
• Leader in Trusts and Estates: As a leader in the trusts and estates group at Duggan Bertsch, Scott is at the forefront of his field, bringing cutting-edge strategies and knowledge to his clients.
• Strategic Business Succession: He excels in navigating difficult business succession matters for multi-generational wealth, helping family businesses ensure smooth transitions and continued prosperity.
• National Reach with Chicago Base: While Scott resides in Iowa, his primary team of attorneys and paralegals practices out of the Chicago office of Duggan Bertsch. This allows him to serve clients across the country while maintaining a strong, accessible presence for Illinois families and businesses.
• Thought Leadership and Publications: Scott is a co-author of significant publications such as "Divorce and the Family Business" and has presented on complex tax and wealth planning topics, demonstrating his commitment to advancing knowledge in his field.
• Recognized Excellence: His credentials and experience are recognized within the legal and financial communities, affirming his capability in sophisticated estate tax planning and business succession.

For a highly specialized attorney like Scott A. Sissel, who focuses on ultra-high net worth estate tax planning and business succession, "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer retail sense are not typically applicable. The value proposition of such expertise lies in the long-term strategic benefits and significant tax savings achieved through sophisticated planning, rather than introductory discounts. However, the standard practice for legal professionals of this caliber involves a structured initial consultation. For potential clients in Illinois seeking Scott A. Sissel's unique expertise, it is highly recommended to directly contact his office at Duggan Bertsch, LLC to inquire about their process for new client engagement. This initial discussion would typically involve:

• A detailed overview of your specific financial situation, family dynamics, and business objectives.
• An assessment of potential estate tax exposures and succession challenges.
• An explanation of the firm's approach to designing comprehensive wealth transfer and business continuity plans.
• A discussion of the scope of work and the firm's fee structure, which for highly specialized services is usually based on the complexity and projected time investment.

While the firm does not publicly advertise free consultations, the initial contact is crucial for both parties to determine if there is a mutual fit and to outline the strategic pathways forward. This direct communication will provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding how Scott A. Sissel and his team engage with new clients and begin the process of tailored wealth planning.

For ultra-high net worth families and owners of closely-held businesses in Illinois seeking unparalleled expertise in estate tax planning and business succession, contacting Scott A. Sissel's office at Duggan Bertsch, LLC is the first step towards securing their financial future. You can reach their Chicago office using the following contact information:

• Address: 303 W Madison St #1000, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
• Phone: (312) 263-8600
• Mobile Phone: +1 312-263-8600

It is strongly recommended to call ahead to schedule an appointment. Given the highly specialized nature of Scott Sissel's practice, a pre-scheduled consultation ensures that the team can prepare to discuss your specific and intricate financial or business needs effectively. Their responsive staff will be able to guide you through the process of initiating contact and arranging a confidential discussion. Reaching out directly to this Chicago-based team is the most effective way to begin addressing your complex wealth management and business succession planning requirements with one of Illinois's most qualified professionals.

For locals in Illinois, particularly ultra-high net worth families and owners of significant closely-held businesses, Scott A. Sissel, JD, CPA, LL.M. represents an ideal and highly specialized legal resource. His unique combination of legal, accounting, and tax expertise is precisely what is needed to navigate the formidable complexities of estate tax planning and business succession in a state like Illinois. This integrated knowledge allows for the creation of sophisticated and tax-efficient strategies that protect multi-generational wealth and ensure smooth transitions for family businesses, whether they are in manufacturing, real estate, agriculture, or technology.

While Scott himself resides in Iowa, his primary team operates out of the central Chicago office, ensuring that Illinois clients have direct and convenient access to his firm's top-tier services. This local presence, combined with his extensive experience at a Tier 1 firm and his consistent recognition as a leader in his field, means that Illinois residents are gaining access to national-level expertise with the accessibility of a local Chicago firm. For those seeking to secure their legacy, minimize tax burdens, and ensure the successful future of their family enterprises, Scott A. Sissel offers a truly tailored, comprehensive, and exceptionally qualified solution right here in Illinois.