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Richard O. Kissel II
- E rkissel@taftlaw.com
- T (317) 713-3669
- F (317) 713-3699
Summary
Rick is the co-chair of the Private Client and Estate Planning practice groups. He has been practicing in the field of estate planning for over 35 years. He focuses his practice on the areas of estate, business succession, and charitable planning and gifting as well as tax, corporate transactions, buy-sell agreements, employee benefits, and other matters affecting closely-held businesses. Rick has advised corporate executives, owners of closely-held businesses, and other individuals on a variety of domestic and international tax issues. He has also been involved in the creation of numerous publicly supported charities and private foundations. Rick is a Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer, as certified by the Trust and Estate Specialty Board, and is the Indiana Chair for the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is recognized by Indiana Super Lawyers for estate planning and probate and by Best Lawyers in America® for closely held companies and family businesses law. Rick is also ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Law in Indiana.
Rick has been involved in projects that include the recapitalization of closely-held businesses, disputes among trust beneficiaries, and trust and will contests. He has also prepared required trust language and represented corporate trustees in numerous situations.
Awards

Honoree, Leadership in Law – Distinguished Barrister, Indiana Lawyer (2024)

Band 1 Honoree, Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law (2017 – present)

Honoree, Indiana Super Lawyers (2004, 2007, 2017 – present)
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Honoree, Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
(2015 – present)
AV Peer Review Rated, LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell

Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation

Board Certified Indiana Trust & Estate Lawyer (certified by the Trust and Estate Specialty Board)
All Service Areas
Education
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law (1985)
- Indiana University (1981)
B.S.
Admissions
- State - Illinois
- State - Indiana
News
Four Hundred Fifty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2026 News
Taft Attorneys and Practices Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2025 News
Twenty-Four Taft Attorneys Recognized in Indiana Super Lawyers 2025 News
Three Hundred Sixty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2025
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
Member, Real Property Section
Member, Probate and Trust Law Section - Illinois State Bar Association
Member
- Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Trust and Estate Planning Divisions
- Indianapolis Bar Association
Member
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Indiana Chairperson
Community Involvement
- Horizon House
Former Member, Board of Directors
- Dance Kaleidoscope
Former Member, Board of Directors
Former Co-Chair, Finance Committee - Lambda Legal
Member, Indiana Benefit Host Committee
- Simon Youth Foundation, Inc.
Former Member, Board of Directors
Former Member, Executive Committee - Central Indiana Community Foundation
Past Chair, Professional Advisors Leadership Council
- Indiana School of Medicine
Member, Planned Giving Committee