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Robert McLeod
Partner Minneapolis
- E rmcleod@taftlaw.com
- T (612) 977-8216
- F (612) 977-8650
Summary
Bob is listed as among the Top 100 Lawyers in Minnesota for his accomplished probate, trust, guardianship, and fiduciary litigation practice. He writes estate plans that range from a simple will to the most advanced estate planning the law allows. Bob represents clients administering an estate and trust, and represents clients when litigation erupts in an estate or trust matter. Bob is also very experienced in guardianships and conservatorships.
As a member of Taft’s Private Client group, Bob practices primarily in the areas of:
- Estate planning
- Taxation
- Probate
- Trusts
- Guardianships and conservatorships
Bob counsels clients in the areas of estate planning, probate, and fiduciary litigation and guides clients through legalities surrounding charitable gifts, wealth preservation, and business succession. Additionally, he advises clients on estate- and gift-tax planning, and assists clients in drafting, administering, or litigating Minnesota trust and probate matters. Bob prepares wills, trusts, and related estate planning documents, including real estate transactions, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), and charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) for high net worth individuals and spends a significant amount of time representing clients in the courtroom in uncontested and contested trials, along with basic motion practice, discovery and trial practice, including before the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
Bob collaborated with the Minnesota Legislature on drafting the state’s probate and guardianship law, and assisted in developing the court-approved forms requested by the state for use by attorneys practicing guardianship and conservatorship law. In addition, he wrote and updated Minnesota CLE’s Guardianship and Conservatorship Handbook, and wrote or co-wrote multiple articles for publication in the William Mitchell Law Review, The Monthly Digest of Tax Articles, and the Journal of Taxation, among others.
Bob is a frequent public speaker on topics surrounding estate planning, probate, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct professor for trusts and estates law and estate and gift tax law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law from 1995 to 2016. Bob is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) with experience at a large accounting firm.
Featured Podcast Episodes
Taft Talks: Probate – Guardians vs. Conservators – What’s the Difference?
Taft Talks: Probate – Common Interest Agreement – Energy Policy Advocates V. MN Attorney General
Taft Talks: Probate – Zika v. Eldercare of Minnesota and What It Means for Guardianship Immunity
Taft Talks: Probate – The Basics of the Elective Share and Augmented Estate
Taft Talks: Probate – Exempt Property Statutes
Taft Talks: Probate – Swanson v. Wolf
Awards
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates (2023 – 2024)
Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV Preeminent
Honoree, Minnesota Super Lawyers, Estate & Probate (2004 – present)
Honoree, Top 100 Lawyers in Minnesota (2019, 2022)
Minnesota Association for Guardianship & Conservatorship Legal Award (2020)
North Star Lawyer (2018)
National Law Journal, Dedicated to Pro Bono and Disability Rights (Jan. 7, 2013)
Minnesota Lawyer, Attorney of the Year for Guardianship Voting Rights Case (2012)
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Minnesota State Bar Association Presidential Commendation for Work on practicelaw.org (2011)
Minnesota State Bar Association Outstanding Service Award (2005)
Leonard Lindquist Pro Bono Service Award (2004)
Honoree, Minnesota Rising Stars, Minnesota Journal of Law and Politics (1999-2002)
Minnesota Supreme Court Award for Work and Dedication to the State Forms Committee
Honoree, Top Lawyers, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Minnesota Monthly (2023)
Education
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law (1992)
J.D.
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law (1994)
LL.M., Taxation
- University of St. Thomas
B.A.
Admissions
- State - Minnesota
- Federal - District of Minnesota
- Federal - U.S. Tax Court
Notable Matters
Estate of James Palmer, Deceased, 658 N.W.2d 197 (Minn. 2003). This case involves the definition of children in the probate court system.
Gellert v. Eginton, 770 N.W.2d 190 (Minn. Ct. App. 2009). This case addressed the capacity to execute a deed and the applicability of a probate attorney fee statute in litigated civil claims.
Greer v. Professional Fiduciary, Inc. et al. 792 N.W.2d 120 (Minn. Ct. App. 2011). This case involved the effect of final orders in probate proceedings.
Guardianship and Conservatorship of Jeffers Tschumy, 853, N.W.2d 728 (Minn. 2014); 834 N.W.2d 190 (Minn. Ct. App. 2013). This case involved the power of guardians to terminate life support for wards.
Speeches and Publications
Speeches
2022 Probate and Trust Law Section Conference, “2022 Non-Tax Case Law Update,” June 13, 2022
News
Thirty-Eight Taft Minneapolis Attorneys Recognized as Top Lawyers 2023 by Minnesota Monthly News
Three Hundred Six Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 News
Thirteen Taft Attorneys Recognized in Minnesota Super Lawyers 2023 News
Two Hundred and Forty-Three Taft Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2023
Professional Affiliations
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Fellow (2006 – present); Elder Law Committee (2006-2007, 2021 – present).
- Minnesota State Bar Association
Probate and Trust Section Council, Chair (2009-2010); Member (2001-2010); Legislative Committee Co-Chair (2002-2006) and Member (1997-2006); Trust Law Statutory Re-Drafting Committee, Member (2001); Guardianship/Conservatorship Statutory Re-Drafting Committee, Member; Power of Attorney Committee, Member.
- Ramsey County Bar Association
Ramsey County Ethics Committee (1998-2002).
- Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Chair, Alumni Development Committee (2012-2016); Adjunct Professor, Estates & Trusts (1995-2016); Adjunct Professor, Estate & Gift Taxes (2000, 2008).
- Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis
Board Member (2011-2012).
- College of Financial Planning
Taught Estate and Gift Taxation Courses (1998-1999).
- Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis
Board Member (2011-2012).
- Inver Hills Community College
Taught Paralegal Course on Estates and Trusts (1998).
- Inver Hills Community College
Taught Paralegal Course on Estates and Trusts (1998).
Community Involvement
- Stevens Square Foundation
Member (2013-2014)
- Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Board Member (2012-2018); President (2016-2018); Treasurer (2014-2012)
- MN Mosquitos AAA Club
Hockey Coach (2016-2019)
- White Bear Lake
Hockey Coach (2016-2018)
- National Guardianship Association
Board Member (2014-2017)