Catherine R. Mack

Catherine R. Mack

MD & DC ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY & PROBATE LITIGATOR

Catherine R. Mack

Catherine R. Mack

MD & DC ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY & PROBATE LITIGATOR

Firm Overview

My practice focuses on estate planning and probate
for Maryland and District of Columbia clients and estates. Soon I hope to be admitted to the Virginia Bar as well.

Whether you need just a simple Will to name a guardian for your minor child or a complex trust to address the needs of a disabled member of your family or children from a prior marriage, I am here to assist you. No matter how difficult the situation, I know how to ensure that assets are properly distributed upon death. I also help with estate and trust administration, including litigation matters, and with legal problems associated with aging. I work on my own by choice because that gives me the flexibility to give you the attention you deserve when you need it. Since I am a sole practitioner (although I am located in a law firm of 16 attorneys) I am able to charge very reasonable fees for first-rate legal work. You do not pay for fancy furniture, artwork or extraneous staff just for my time and for normal out-of-pocket expenses such as postage and copies.

Main Office

Main Office
7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 800 West
Bethesada, MD 20814

Phone

301-961-8590

Estate Planning

ESTATE PLANNING

A well-designed estate plan ensures that upon your death, your property will be distributed as you want it distributed, to whom you want it distributed and when you want it distributed. The estate planning process involves preparation of a last will and testament and possibly a revocable trust, both of which govern the distribution of assets after death. These documents may or may not include some estate tax planning, depending upon the value of those assets. I also advise clients to prepare a durable power of attorney document and a health care power of attorney and advanced directive (often called a "living will"), two important documents that are considered part of the "estate planning process." Since retirement accounts and life insurance are often a significant part of an individual's wealth, I assist clients in preparing or reviewing beneficiary designation forms that govern the distribution of these assets after death.

Catherine R. Mack
Catherine R. Mack

EDUCATION

Catholic University Law School

J.D. with Highest Honors (First in Class)

University of Wisconsin

B.S. with Honors



PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1999 Present

Law Offices of Catherine R. Mack

Principal



My practice is concentrated on estate and other tax planning, will and trust creation and implementation, powers of attorney and medical directives, estate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, business succession planning and life insurance and other types of trust documents.

1985 1998

Federal Realty Investment Trust

Vice President-General Counsel & Secretary



Chief legal officer of equity real estate investment trust that owns, manages, develops and redevelops retail properties, principally shopping centers, in the Mid-Atlantic corridor, the Chicago metropolitan area and the West Coast. Areas of responsibility included lease negotiation, production and interpretation; contract drafting and negotiation; litigation management; employment law; and various corporate matters. Supervised department of 18 employees.

1980 1984

Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

Assistant United States Attorney



Appellate and criminal trial experience in more than 60 cases in Superior Court, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, United States District Court and United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Litigated issues of constitutional law, mental health law and rules of procedure and evidence.

1976 -1980

Senior Associate, Litigation Department (Washington and New York offices)



Specialized in commercial litigation, including securities matters, real estate and general corporate work. Specific areas of experience included negotiation and preparation of construction and real estate contracts and settlement agreements; litigation of real estate, contracts, securities, antitrust and negligence matters in local and national federal and state courts.

1974 -1976

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Clerk for (former Chief) Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr.



Responsible for handling the judge's civil calendar, which included reviewing submitted pleadings, coordinating with counsel, writing briefing memoranda to the judge, drafting opinions, witnessing civil hearings and trials, and interacting with other judges and their clerks.

1969 -1972

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department

Policewoman



Plainclothes officer in Youth Division and then in Anacostia and Georgetown. Handled criminal matters involving children under 18, as defendants in criminal cases or victims of abuse, from investigation through arrest and trial.

BAR ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia Bar

Maryland Bar

United States District Court, District of Columbia

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

MEMBERSHIPS

Phi Kappa Phi
American Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar and Maryland Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland (Board Member)
Estates and Trusts Law Sections of Maryland Bar and Bar Association of Montgomery County
Estates, Trust and Probate Section of the District of Columbia Bar


FACULTY POSITIONS

American Corporate Counsel Association (various programs)
Georgetown Continuing Legal Education, Seminar on Commercial Lease Negotiations
Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers
International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conference
Urban Land Institute

Catherine R. Mack
Catherine R. Mack

EDUCATION

Catholic University Law School

J.D. with Highest Honors (First in Class)

University of Wisconsin

B.S. with Honors



PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1999 Present

Law Offices of Catherine R. Mack

Principal



My practice is concentrated on estate and other tax planning, will and trust creation and implementation, powers of attorney and medical directives, estate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, business succession planning and life insurance and other types of trust documents.

1985 1998

Federal Realty Investment Trust

Vice President-General Counsel & Secretary



Chief legal officer of equity real estate investment trust that owns, manages, develops and redevelops retail properties, principally shopping centers, in the Mid-Atlantic corridor, the Chicago metropolitan area and the West Coast. Areas of responsibility included lease negotiation, production and interpretation; contract drafting and negotiation; litigation management; employment law; and various corporate matters. Supervised department of 18 employees.

1980 1984

Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

Assistant United States Attorney



Appellate and criminal trial experience in more than 60 cases in Superior Court, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, United States District Court and United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Litigated issues of constitutional law, mental health law and rules of procedure and evidence.

1976 -1980

Senior Associate, Litigation Department (Washington and New York offices)



Specialized in commercial litigation, including securities matters, real estate and general corporate work. Specific areas of experience included negotiation and preparation of construction and real estate contracts and settlement agreements; litigation of real estate, contracts, securities, antitrust and negligence matters in local and national federal and state courts.

1974 -1976

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Clerk for (former Chief) Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr.



Responsible for handling the judge's civil calendar, which included reviewing submitted pleadings, coordinating with counsel, writing briefing memoranda to the judge, drafting opinions, witnessing civil hearings and trials, and interacting with other judges and their clerks.

1969 -1972

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department

Policewoman



Plainclothes officer in Youth Division and then in Anacostia and Georgetown. Handled criminal matters involving children under 18, as defendants in criminal cases or victims of abuse, from investigation through arrest and trial.

BAR ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia Bar

Maryland Bar

United States District Court, District of Columbia

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

MEMBERSHIPS

Phi Kappa Phi
American Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar and Maryland Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland (Board Member)
Estates and Trusts Law Sections of Maryland Bar and Bar Association of Montgomery County
Estates, Trust and Probate Section of the District of Columbia Bar


FACULTY POSITIONS

American Corporate Counsel Association (various programs)
Georgetown Continuing Legal Education, Seminar on Commercial Lease Negotiations
Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers
International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conference
Urban Land Institute

Firm Overview

My practice focuses on estate planning and probate
for Maryland and District of Columbia clients and estates. Soon I hope to be admitted to the Virginia Bar as well.

Whether you need just a simple Will to name a guardian for your minor child or a complex trust to address the needs of a disabled member of your family or children from a prior marriage, I am here to assist you. No matter how difficult the situation, I know how to ensure that assets are properly distributed upon death. I also help with estate and trust administration, including litigation matters, and with legal problems associated with aging. I work on my own by choice because that gives me the flexibility to give you the attention you deserve when you need it. Since I am a sole practitioner (although I am located in a law firm of 16 attorneys) I am able to charge very reasonable fees for first-rate legal work. You do not pay for fancy furniture, artwork or extraneous staff just for my time and for normal out-of-pocket expenses such as postage and copies.

Main Office

Main Office
7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 800 West
Bethesada, MD 20814

Phone

301-961-8590

Estate Planning

ESTATE PLANNING

A well-designed estate plan ensures that upon your death, your property will be distributed as you want it distributed, to whom you want it distributed and when you want it distributed. The estate planning process involves preparation of a last will and testament and possibly a revocable trust, both of which govern the distribution of assets after death. These documents may or may not include some estate tax planning, depending upon the value of those assets. I also advise clients to prepare a durable power of attorney document and a health care power of attorney and advanced directive (often called a "living will"), two important documents that are considered part of the "estate planning process." Since retirement accounts and life insurance are often a significant part of an individual's wealth, I assist clients in preparing or reviewing beneficiary designation forms that govern the distribution of these assets after death.

Catherine R. Mack
Catherine R. Mack

EDUCATION

Catholic University Law School

J.D. with Highest Honors (First in Class)

University of Wisconsin

B.S. with Honors



PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1999 Present

Law Offices of Catherine R. Mack

Principal



My practice is concentrated on estate and other tax planning, will and trust creation and implementation, powers of attorney and medical directives, estate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, business succession planning and life insurance and other types of trust documents.

1985 1998

Federal Realty Investment Trust

Vice President-General Counsel & Secretary



Chief legal officer of equity real estate investment trust that owns, manages, develops and redevelops retail properties, principally shopping centers, in the Mid-Atlantic corridor, the Chicago metropolitan area and the West Coast. Areas of responsibility included lease negotiation, production and interpretation; contract drafting and negotiation; litigation management; employment law; and various corporate matters. Supervised department of 18 employees.

1980 1984

Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

Assistant United States Attorney



Appellate and criminal trial experience in more than 60 cases in Superior Court, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, United States District Court and United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Litigated issues of constitutional law, mental health law and rules of procedure and evidence.

1976 -1980

Senior Associate, Litigation Department (Washington and New York offices)



Specialized in commercial litigation, including securities matters, real estate and general corporate work. Specific areas of experience included negotiation and preparation of construction and real estate contracts and settlement agreements; litigation of real estate, contracts, securities, antitrust and negligence matters in local and national federal and state courts.

1974 -1976

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Clerk for (former Chief) Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr.



Responsible for handling the judge's civil calendar, which included reviewing submitted pleadings, coordinating with counsel, writing briefing memoranda to the judge, drafting opinions, witnessing civil hearings and trials, and interacting with other judges and their clerks.

1969 -1972

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department

Policewoman



Plainclothes officer in Youth Division and then in Anacostia and Georgetown. Handled criminal matters involving children under 18, as defendants in criminal cases or victims of abuse, from investigation through arrest and trial.

BAR ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia Bar

Maryland Bar

United States District Court, District of Columbia

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

MEMBERSHIPS

Phi Kappa Phi
American Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar and Maryland Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland (Board Member)
Estates and Trusts Law Sections of Maryland Bar and Bar Association of Montgomery County
Estates, Trust and Probate Section of the District of Columbia Bar


FACULTY POSITIONS

American Corporate Counsel Association (various programs)
Georgetown Continuing Legal Education, Seminar on Commercial Lease Negotiations
Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers
International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conference
Urban Land Institute

Catherine R. Mack
Catherine R. Mack

EDUCATION

Catholic University Law School

J.D. with Highest Honors (First in Class)

University of Wisconsin

B.S. with Honors



PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1999 Present

Law Offices of Catherine R. Mack

Principal



My practice is concentrated on estate and other tax planning, will and trust creation and implementation, powers of attorney and medical directives, estate and trust administration, estate and trust litigation, business succession planning and life insurance and other types of trust documents.

1985 1998

Federal Realty Investment Trust

Vice President-General Counsel & Secretary



Chief legal officer of equity real estate investment trust that owns, manages, develops and redevelops retail properties, principally shopping centers, in the Mid-Atlantic corridor, the Chicago metropolitan area and the West Coast. Areas of responsibility included lease negotiation, production and interpretation; contract drafting and negotiation; litigation management; employment law; and various corporate matters. Supervised department of 18 employees.

1980 1984

Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

Assistant United States Attorney



Appellate and criminal trial experience in more than 60 cases in Superior Court, District of Columbia Court of Appeals, United States District Court and United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Litigated issues of constitutional law, mental health law and rules of procedure and evidence.

1976 -1980

Senior Associate, Litigation Department (Washington and New York offices)



Specialized in commercial litigation, including securities matters, real estate and general corporate work. Specific areas of experience included negotiation and preparation of construction and real estate contracts and settlement agreements; litigation of real estate, contracts, securities, antitrust and negligence matters in local and national federal and state courts.

1974 -1976

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Clerk for (former Chief) Judge Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr.



Responsible for handling the judge's civil calendar, which included reviewing submitted pleadings, coordinating with counsel, writing briefing memoranda to the judge, drafting opinions, witnessing civil hearings and trials, and interacting with other judges and their clerks.

1969 -1972

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department

Policewoman



Plainclothes officer in Youth Division and then in Anacostia and Georgetown. Handled criminal matters involving children under 18, as defendants in criminal cases or victims of abuse, from investigation through arrest and trial.

BAR ADMISSIONS

District of Columbia Bar

Maryland Bar

United States District Court, District of Columbia

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

MEMBERSHIPS

Phi Kappa Phi
American Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar and Maryland Bar
Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland
Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland (Board Member)
Estates and Trusts Law Sections of Maryland Bar and Bar Association of Montgomery County
Estates, Trust and Probate Section of the District of Columbia Bar


FACULTY POSITIONS

American Corporate Counsel Association (various programs)
Georgetown Continuing Legal Education, Seminar on Commercial Lease Negotiations
Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers
International Council of Shopping Centers Law Conference
Urban Land Institute

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