Stephanie (“Stevie”) Casteel is a trusted advisor to a wide range of high net worth and exempt organization clients and is a partner in the firm's private client services practice group. She provides comprehensive estate planning advice, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, charitable planning, nuptial agreements, asset protection, estate and trust administration, planning for estate and gift taxes, and business wealth transitions for clients throughout the United States. She also assists exempt organizations with formation, tax exemption, lobbying affiliates, tax compliance, and board policies and best practices. A frequent speaker, Stevie has presented at national conferences on the topics of estate planning, non-profit law, and charitable giving and has authored or been quoted in numerous articles in trade journals and national media outlets, including CNN, on topics such as premarital agreements, charitable bequests and wealth management for women.
Provided estate planning counsel to more than a dozen clients with wealth in excess of $100 million
Assisted $200+ million private foundation with grants and economic development for a rural community
Advised $100+ million entrepreneur regarding innovative charitable projects
Local counsel to estate of notable real estate developer and neo-futuristic architect
Advised nearly $100 million corporate charity located in the Southeast United States
Reformed and decanted poorly drafted trusts after sale of privately held company
Developed experience in non-grantor incomplete gift trusts
Assisted dozens of clients with transfers of their wealth to successive generations
Advised high-profile clients on matters of wealth transfer, business succession planning, nuptial agreements, charitable planning and exempt organizations
Assisted in transferring multi-million-dollar company to second and third generations with no transfer tax
Advised large hospital on employee relief plans
Handled large estate tax audit with forestry assets
Prepared Tax Court petition contesting valuation of large lighting company
Applied wealth transfer planning techniques to the estates of high net-worth clients
Emory University School of Law (J.D., with distinction, 1991)
Agnes Scott College (B.A., Economics, with High Honors, 1988)
“Charitable Gift Substantiation,” Speaker, 2019 Charitable Gift Planning Conference, National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, New Orleans (October 2019)
"Charitable Giving," Speaker, Estate Planning in Depth, ALI-CLE (June 2015)
"A Cool Idea with Rev. Rul. 2004-5, New Uses for Charitable Gift Annuities, and Report on Notice 2014-4," Speaker, ACTEC Annual Seminar, Charitable Planning and Exempt Organizations Committee (March 2014)
"I Do, Act II: Estate Planning for Second Marriages," Speaker, ALI CLE teleseminar/audio webcast (March 2014)
“Philanthropy and Choice of Grant-Making Entity in a Changing World,” Author, Property & Probate (March/April 2009)
“The Bio-Tech Company and The Private Equity Fund,” Author, Tech Journal South (August 22, 2008)
“It's Not About the Teacups,” Author, Atlanta Woman (July 2008)
“Hit the Jackpot? Here's some advice on what to do next,” Quoted, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (February 18, 2008)
“Planning and Drafting Premarital Agreements,” Author, The Practical Tax Lawyer, Vol. 20 No. 1 (Fall 2005)
“The Women's Guide to Wealth Management: Atlanta's Top Legal and Investment Experts Share Tips and Insights to Ensure Your Financial Well-Being,” Editor and Co-Author, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles (December 2005)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Non-Profit/Charities Law and Trusts & Estates (2009-2023)
Lawyer of the Year, Reno Non-Profit/Charities Law (2021, 2023)
Chamber's High Net Worth Guide (2017-2018)
Georgia Trend's Legal Elite (2010-present)
Georgia Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine (2005-present)
Top 50 Woman Lawyers (2009-2013)
Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell®