Biography
Tamara Kolz Griffin has represented a wide array of clients with varying levels of wealth in the areas of estate and gift planning for more than 25 years. In advising her clients, Tamara balances the goals of minimizing taxes and protecting assets with carrying out the wishes and philosophies of her clients. In creating estate plans and strategies that suit each client’s needs, Tamara is sensitive to family differences and dynamics and takes the necessary time to ensure that her clients understand the purposes and details of their plans. She deftly guides her clients through their decision-making and is often viewed by them as a family counselor. Tamara also assists clients with estate administration, trust administration, conservatorships, guardianships, special needs planning, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements. She has particular expertise in providing comprehensive advice to LGBTQ+ couples, individuals and clients with “nontraditional” families.
In addition to her role as Of Counsel to KCL, Tamara maintains a private practice. She also taught estate planning at Harvard Law School and served as the Director of and Clinical Instructor at the Estate Planning Project of Harvard Law School’s Legal Services Center. Prior to starting her own private practice and teaching at Harvard Law School, Tamara was a Private Wealth Services Partner at the Boston office of the national law firm of Holland & Knight, where she practiced for 16 years.
Tamara is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a nonprofit association of lawyers whose members are elected to the College by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence, and experience as trust and estate counselors. She has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America guide for Trusts and Estates (2014) and by the Massachusetts Super Lawyers magazine as a Rising Star (2006, 2007). Tamara has been a frequent speaker before professional and civic groups and on radio and cable television. She has presented at the American Bar Association, American Institute of CPAs, Boston Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Boston Probate Forum, Boston Estate Planning Council, National LGBT Bar Association and various private companies, organizations and law schools.
Publications
- “Chapter 52: Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Couples and Individuals” (previously “Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples”), Drafting Wills and Trusts in Massachusetts (MCLE, 3rd edition 2012, 4th edition 2017, 5th edition 2020)
- “Estate, Tax and Benefits Planning for Unmarried Couples¸” ALI ABA, 2009 (co –authored with Joan M. Burda, Patricia A. Cain and Wendy S. Goffe)
- “Stocks and Marriage Bonds,” San Francisco Daily Journal, June 2008
- “Tax Issues Affecting Same-Sex Couples,” GP/Solo Newsletter of ABA, Fall 2006
- “The Dissolution of Same Sex Relationships: Tax and Other Ramifications”, The Practical Lawyer, ALI-ABA, June 2006
- “When Same Sex Relationships End: Tax and Other Issues Facing Same Sex Couples,” The Matrimonial Strategist, Law Journal Newsletters, ALM, Spring 2006
- “An Analysis of Law Regarding Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships: A White Paper,” American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Working Group on Same-Sex Marriages and Non-Marital Unions, June 2004 and updated 2005
- “University Retains Gift Despite Inability to Comply With Original Restriction on Gift,” Holland and Knight Education Newsletter, October 2004
- “Disclaimers: The Beauty of those three little words: No Thank You,” Holland and Knight Private Wealth Services Newsletter, October 2004
Speaking Engagements
- The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), panelist, “Privacy in the Afterlife: What Happens to Your Digital Accounts When You Die,” Global Privacy Summit 2016, Washington, D.C., April 5, 2016
- Harvard Law School Legal Service Center, speaker, “Estate Planning for Veterans and Their Family Members,” 3rd annual People’s Law School, March 28, 2015
- Harvard Law School Legal Service Center, speaker, “Estate Planning for Veterans and Their Family Members,” 2nd annual People’s Law School, March 29, 2014
- ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section’s Legal Education Committee, speaker, “Estate Planning and Property Considerations for Same-Sex Couples,” Professors’ Corner Program, Teleconference Webcast, September 11, 2013
- National LGBT Bar Association, speaker, “Basic Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples,” Lavender Law Conference, San Francisco, California, August 23, 2013
- National LGBT Bar Association, speaker, “Advanced Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples,” Lavender Law Conference, San Francisco, California, August 23, 2013
- American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education, speaker, “In the Wake of Windsor and Perry: Estate Planning for Same Sex and Unmarried Couples,” Webcast, July 17, 2013
- American Association of Attorney CPAs, speaker, “Non-Traditional Relationships and Estate Planning, 2013 Annual Meeting and Education Conference, July 3, 2013
- Harvard Law School Legal Service Center, speaker, “Veterans: Using the Probate Court – Guardianship, Conservatorship, Estate Administration,” 1st annual People’s Law School, April 13, 2013
- Harvard Law School Legal Service Center, speaker, “Estate Planning for Veterans: Wills, Advance Medical Directives, Powers of Attorney, Trusts,” 1st annual People’s Law School, April 13, 2013
- Young Black Women’s Society, speaker, “Estate Planning,” ACCESS 2013 Workshop, January 9, 2013
Recent Blog Posts and News
- Tamara Kolz Griffin Joins KCL as Of Counsel
We are pleased to announce Tamara Kolz Griffin has joined the firm as Of Counsel. With more than 25 years of experience, Tamara represents a wide array of clients with varying levels of wealth in the areas of estate and gift planning. She also assists clients …