12th Annual

Tax, Trusts, & Estates Forum

Join us for our Annual Tax, Trusts, & Estates Forum

December 8, 2026
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM EST

Park Avenue Club
184 Park Ave, Florham Park, NJ 07932

Complimentary Networking Breakfast Included 

Reserve Your Seat

CLE, CFP & CPE Credits Available

Elevate Your Practice

Why You Cannot Afford to Miss This Event

CLE / CFP / CPE Credits

Earn valuable continuing education credits to maintain your professional certifications.

Panelists

This annual forum brings together attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, trust officers, and other industry professionals for a morning of education, networking, and discussion on the most pressing topics in tax, trusts, and estates.

Networking Breakfast

Build valuable connections with fellow attorneys, financial planners, and key industry contacts.

Valuable Insights

Our program will provide practical insights into emerging tax laws, estate planning strategies, wealth preservation techniques, and other critical issues impacting financial professionals and their clients.

Keynote Speaker

Jonathan Lengel

Actor, Singer-Songwriter & Pianist

We are pleased to welcome Jonathan Lengel, an actor, singer-songwriter and pianist best known for his breakout role as Archie in Netflix’s 13: the Musical. Jonathan who has a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy like the character he portrays, was discovered following a world-wide casting call. He can also be seen in Theater Camp, appearing alongside Ben Platt and Molly Gordon, now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. His work has been featured in publications including Forbes, Variety, Deadline, and The Star-Ledger. Jonathan joins us to share his personal story and lived experience navigating the transition to adulthood. Jonathan is the son of Cheryl Dispoto, a featured speaker at last year’s program, offering a meaningful continuation of the conversation from a new perspective.

Program Summary

This program will cover the latest developments and practical strategies in trusts, estates, taxation, business planning, and generational wealth. Attendees will gain insight into recent trust and tax law updates, tax considerations throughout the lifecycle of a business, strategies for transferring wealth to future generations, managing family dynamics, the role trusts can play in effective estate planning, and how will the trust survive decanting, modifications & termination under the NJ uniform trust code. 

Key Takeaways

  • How Will the Trust Survive? Decanting, Modifications & Terminations
    A review of trust modifications, terminations, and decanting, including key differences between New Jersey and New York.
  • Critical Legal & Tax Updates
    Recent case law and statutory developments affecting taxation, trusts, and estates.
  • Tax Planning Throughout the Business Lifecycle
    Entity selection, operational tax considerations, exit strategies, QSBS planning, incomplete gift non-grantor trusts, and corporate blockers.
  • Generational Wealth & Family Dynamics
    Strategies for navigating family relationships, educating future generations, transferring wealth, and addressing compensation within family businesses.
  • When Do You Need a Trust?
    The differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts, when each may be appropriate, and how trusts fit into an estate plan.

Who Should Attend?

  • Trusts and estates attorneys
  • Tax professionals, CPAs, and financial advisors
  • Family business owners and entrepreneurs
  • Wealth managers and private bankers
  • Fiduciaries, trustees, and estate administrators
  • Individuals and families engaged in estate, succession, or legacy planning
  • Professionals who advise high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families

Meet Your Presenters

MODERATOR

Steven A. Holt

Steven A. Holt is Chair of Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Tax, Trusts & Estates Department and a member of the Corporate, Elder Law, Health Law, and ERISA/Employee Benefits Practice Groups. He advises businesses, nonprofit organizations, executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals on tax, succession, estate, and business planning matters. With extensive experience in corporate transactions, wealth transfer strategies, asset protection, and charitable planning, Steven serves as trusted outside general counsel to numerous organizations. He is actively involved in several professional and charitable boards, including serving as President of the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey and as a trustee of multiple public health and philanthropic organizations.

Martin D. Hauptman

Speaker

Martin D. Hauptman is a Partner in Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Trusts & Estates and Taxation Practice Groups, focusing on ERISA, pension planning and administration, estate planning, business succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, entity formations, tax controversy matters, and federal and state taxation. A Certified Public Accountant, Martin brings extensive experience in qualified retirement plans, sophisticated estate planning, and corporate and individual tax planning. He frequently represents clients before the IRS and state taxing authorities in complex tax matters. Martin is a published author and frequent lecturer for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Shawn R. McClelland

Speaker

Shawn R. McClelland focuses his practice on corporate law, business services, estate planning, elder law and Medicaid planning, and special needs planning. He counsels business owners on entity formation, startup strategies, acquisitions, and succession planning, and advises on buy-sell agreements, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and asset transfers. Shawn also assists clients with estate and tax planning matters, collaborating with financial advisors to develop strategies tailored to their goals. Prior to joining private practice, he served as counsel to several municipalities on zoning and land use matters and worked as a part-time Assistant Prosecutor, providing him with broad experience in both public and private sector legal matters.

Jason E. Marx

Speaker

Jason E. Marx is a Partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC and a member of the firm’s Tax, Trusts & Estates Practice Groups. He advises high net worth individuals, families, business owners, executors, and trustees on estate planning, estate administration, elder law, asset protection, tax planning, and business succession matters. Jason has extensive experience designing wealth preservation strategies, administering complex trusts and estates, navigating Medicaid and long-term care planning, and representing clients in tax controversies before federal and state agencies. A frequent lecturer and author on estate planning, elder law, and asset protection topics, he is a trusted advisor to clients seeking comprehensive personal and business planning solutions.

Patrick B. Waters

Speaker

Patrick B. Waters is an Associate in Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s Tax, Trusts & Estates Practice Group, where he focuses on estate planning, asset preservation, entity formation and planning, and federal and state tax matters. He works closely with individuals, families, and business owners to develop tailored strategies that protect assets and address long-term planning goals. Before joining the firm as an attorney, Patrick served as a law clerk at Mandelbaum Barrett and gained judicial experience through an internship with the Honorable Mayra Tarantino, J.S.C. A distinguished legal scholar, he served as Senior Commentaries Editor of the Rutgers University Law Review and is a published author on healthcare fraud and compliance issues.

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