
Overview
Jennifer Pagnillo, co-chair of the firm's Tax-Exempt Organizations and Charitable Giving practice group, helps families and individuals in Connecticut and New York with tax and estate planning and estate and trust administration with an emphasis on charitable giving and the creation and operation of nonprofit organizations, including family foundations. She advises clients on:
- Income, estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax planning
- Estate planning, including the preparation of wills and trusts
- Closely-held business planning and related issues to preserve and transmit wealth within families
- Administration of trusts and estates, including probate proceedings, accountings and tax-related disputes
Jennifer has represented nonprofit organizations from inception through attainment of tax-exempt status and has facilitated the development of charitable fund-raising programs. She was one of the New York City attorneys who volunteered in the citywide pro bono effort to aid families of the victims of the World Trade center attack.
Education and Credentials
Education
- St. John's University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, St. John's Law Review, Articles and Notes Editor
- St. Thomas Aquinas College, B.A., magna cum laude
Admissions
- State of Connecticut
- State of New York
Affiliations
- Estate Planning Council of Lower Fairfield County, President
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Trusts and Estates, 2023-2025, Nonprofit/Charities Law, 2023-2025
Recognized as an Empire State Counsel by the New York State Bar Association for pro bono commitment, 2014
Community Involvement
Putnam County SPCA, Board Member
Estate Planning Council of Lower Fairfield County, Former President
Save the Children (Fairfield, CT), Professional Advisors Council, Former Member
Fairfield County's Community Foundation (Norwalk, CT), Former Chair, Professional Advisors Council; Former Co-Chair, Development Committee; Former Member, Board of Directors
News & Insights
Thought Leadership
- Generations Winter 2023 - The Philanthropist as Community Stakeholder: The Rise of 501(c)(4) Organizations , March 10, 2023
- Generations Winter 2022 - Doing Good by Doing More: Looking Beyond Traditional Philanthropy , March 15, 2022
- Generations Fall 2020 - Estate Tax Policy Outlook: Potential Tax Policy Impact of the 2020 Election , October 29, 2020
- Opinion: Planning during the pandemic? Get a will. , August 31, 2020
- COVID-19 Order: Connecticut Nonstock Corporations May Now Hold Remote Membership Meetings , May 14, 2020
Events
- "Doing Good By Doing More: Looking Beyond Traditional Philanthropy," Palm Beach Family Office Forum Series, November 15, 2021
- An Evening of Hope: Maximizing Philanthropic Outreach, November 1, 2018
News
- Jennifer Pagnillo Elected to Fairfield County Community Foundation Board, August 1, 2016
- Jennifer Pagnillo Elected to Board of Estate Planning Council of Lower Fairfield County, May 13, 2016
In The Media
Publications
- Jennifer Pagnillo Contributes Charitable Giving Chapter to CT Estate Planning Book, MCLE New England, May 1, 2013
Media Mentions
- Cos Cob's Amphitheater to Get a New Home, Greenwich Sentinel, February 2, 2017
- At nonprofits in southwestern Connecticut, a small army of directors on the move, The Stamford Advocate, September 18, 2016
- Should you 'like' Facebook founder's philanthropy?, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, January 4, 2016
- Corporate FunRun Fairfield County 5K is July 30, The Greenwich Post, Fairfield-Sun, July 17, 2015
- Day Pitney Mentioned in Empire State Counsel 2014 Honorees, New York State Bar Association, April 1, 2015
Speaking Engagements
- Maximizing Philanthropic Impact Through Planned Giving, August 22, 2018
- Charitable Lead Trusts: Making the most of this philanthropic strategy, October 6, 2016
- The Time is Right to Consider Charitable Lead Trusts, May 13, 2016
- 2016 Family Office Association Spring Global Summit, April 26, 2016
- Maximizing Philanthropic Impact Through Planned Giving, June 22, 2016
- Maximizing Philanthropic Impact Through Planned Giving, March 17, 2016