Michael Passananti serves as advisor and counselor to entrepreneurs, wealthy families, executives, professionals, professional athletes/entertainers, and closely-held businesses. Michael’s comprehensive planning roles includes trusts and estate planning, family wealth transfer planning, business succession planning, asset protection planning, charitable giving, and corporate/business structuring. The goal of Michael’s practice is to ensure that he pays a high level of attention to his clients so that their respective planning goals are achieved, their wealth is protected, and their wealth passes in the most tax efficient manner.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Management from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and was selected by his professors as the top business student in his class. While at Augustana College, Mr. Passananti served as the Captain of the Men’s Basketball Team. He attained his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois, where he received the CALI award for excellence in Legal Writing.

In December 2006, Michael’s article, “Domestic Asset Protection Trusts: The Risks and Roadblocks Which May Hinder Their Effectiveness,” was published in the American College of Trust and Estate (“ACTEC”) Journal. Michael’s recent speaking engagements/presentations include:

• Generation Skipping Tax (GST) Planning 101, YLS Estate Planning Committee of Chicago Bar Association, January 2010
• Charitable Planning With Life Insurance, Provena Mercy Medical Center Foundation- Philanthropic and Legacy Planning For Professional Advisors, June 2009
• International Asset Protection Planning with APTs, LLCs, and Captive Insurance Companies, DuPage Estate Planning Council, March 2009
• Pre and Post Marital and Asset Protection Planning, YLS Estate Planning Committee of Chicago Bar Association, September 2008
• Family Limited Partnerships and Family Limited Liability Companies: The Foundation of Any High Net-Worth Plan, Society of Financial Services Professionals Chicago Chapter, January 2008.
• Comprehensive Planning for the Medical Professional, Multiple Different Resident Conferences, January/October 2008 and March/April 2009

In addition to frequently speaking and writing in his areas of practice, Mr. Passananti is the co-chair of the Young Lawyers Section (YLS) Estate Planning Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. Michael also serves as the President of the Junior Board of Directors of the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation and on the Junior Board of Directors for the Mercy Homes For Boys & Girls.

mpassananti@dugganbertsch.com