Clark Hill PLC has announced the addition of Nicole Phatak as a Member in its Tax and Estate Planning practice, resident in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. Phatak’s practice is focused on advising clients with regard to long-range tax and estate planning and wealth preservation. Phatak joins the firm from Dentons in Pittsburgh.
“Nicole is highly regarded by her colleagues in the Trusts & Estates bar and her clients, and we are delighted that she has decided to join the firm,” said Jeffrey Conn, Member-in-charge of Clark Hill’s Pittsburgh office. “Nicole brings significant experience in assisting clients with sophisticated estate and planning vehicles to preserve client wealth for future generations, as well as navigating personal tax issues.”
Phatak focuses her practice on estate planning, estate administration, and gift and individual taxation. She provides clients with legal advice, ranging from basic wills and powers of attorney to sophisticated trusts and asset preservation. She brings a comprehensive approach to a client’s preparation of passing wealth to the next generation. A significant part of her practice includes advice regarding and preparation of individual federal and state income tax, gift tax, and fiduciary income tax returns. While her practice encompasses many aspects of wealth and tax planning, what distinguishes Phatak are her skills in building relationships with her clients and within the community.
“I am impressed by the collegiality and team approach of Clark Hill’s lawyers, and the firm’s deep relationships with clients and the community in the Pittsburgh area is the perfect fit for my practice,” Phatak said. “I look forward to collaborating with the Clark Hill team in supporting clients’ tax and estate goals. It’s a particularly active time in the wealth management sector with an election just behind us, and working with the firm in developing creative solutions for clients is an exciting opportunity.”
Phatak is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is actively involved in the community, including serving on the Women’s Leadership Council for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania; on the Young Professional Advisors Committee, The Pittsburgh Foundation; as a member of the Executive Circle, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh – Children’s Trust; as a Girl Scout Leader for the Brownies; and also chair’s the Ambassador Council of Animal Friends and served as a Board Member.
Phatak earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, cum laude, and her B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University, summa cum laude with Honors.
