Akane R. Suzuki

About Akane R. Suzuki

Estate planning is important for everyone. It is not all about taxes; it is about taking care of your loved ones and protecting yourself in the event of incapacity. But for many people, it is the first time they work with an attorney, and it can be intimidating. Add complicated tax issues, and it starts to seem like a foreign language. Similarly, when a loved one passes away, families are often at a loss as to what to do. For each of my clients, my goal is to make the process as easy as possible and to work with them to create estate plans that they understand. Being bi-lingual and bi-cultural, helping people deal with the unfamiliar comes naturally to me. I can help with various estate planning related matters, including- Wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney - Gifting strategies, including business succession planning - Estate tax planning - Chartable gifting - International estate planning - Probate & trust administration

Experience

1. Probate and Trust Attorney, Partner

   Perkins Coie

   Mar 2020 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Akane R. Suzuki’s practice encompasses sophisticated estate planning, probate/trust administration, and international estate planning. She assists clients in a broad range of matters, including wills, powers of attorney, and complex gifting strategies that may involve trusts, business succession, and charitable giving.Akane represents business owners, executives, young entrepreneurs, retirees, and beneficiaries of dynasty trusts. She focuses on understanding the client and the clients’ priorities in order to create an estate plan that preserves family businesses and legacies. Her work is so valued that clients frequently seek her counsel on issues outside of her practice area. Chambers USA called her, “internationally respected” and the “premier international attorney in the state.”Well-known locally, nationally, and internationally for her cross-border estate planning, Akane has particular knowledge in the area of U.S-Japanese plans. She is a native Japanese speaker and the editor of a Japanese-language book on cross-border estate plans.

Education

• University of Washington School of Law

  J.D., Law

  1996 — 1999

• Lewis & Clark Law School

  B.A., East Asian Studies

  1991 — 1995

• New York University School of Law

  LL.M., Taxation

  1999 — 2000

Skills

• Public Speaking
• Estate Planning
• Succession Planning
• Estate Law
• Trusts
• Charities
• Estate Administration