Marie R. Deveney

Senior Counsel


For Marie R. Deveney, crafting tailored, comprehensive estate planning, asset protection, and wealth transfer strategies is akin to painting a picture.

It involves taking a vision, sketching the broad outlines, and then using creativity, precision, and the right tools to produce a final product that achieves her client's goals. Matching her technical acumen with her personal commitment to every client, Marie has served as a trusted advisor for countless individuals and families. 

Marie works closely with her clients to develop a holistic appreciation of their circumstances, family relationships, asset portfolio, business concerns, and personal objectives. Recognizing that the work she does involves consequential and often emotional decisions related to loved ones and lifetimes of hard work, Marie takes the time to counsel her clients with empathy, patience, and clarity. By doing so, she empowers her clients with the information and confidence needed to make informed decisions.

Complementing her extensive experience with the multidisciplinary talents of her colleagues, Marie provides a diverse clientele with gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, probate and trust administration, wills and trust agreements, and retirement distribution planning representation.

She prepares meticulous documentation designed to minimize tax liabilities, preserve and maximize wealth for the next generation, and otherwise accomplish her clients' personal and business goals.

Marie's combination of professional and personal service to her clients is partly a product of her roles as a judicial clerk for Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., of the United States Supreme Court and Judge Harry T. Edwards of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In those prestigious positions, Marie saw first-hand the central roles that integrity, fairness, and a sense of humanity play in being an effective lawyer.

Sometimes, a client will need a sounding board, someone they trust who will listen to them or help them through difficult junctures. Providing answers and solutions that can address and alleviate their concerns in those moments is extremely satisfying.
    • University of Michigan, J.D., summa cum laude, First in class, Order of the Coif
    • University of Michigan, M.A.
    • University of Missouri at Kansas City, with distinction
  • Bar Admissions

    • Michigan, 1991
    • Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Michigan, Private Wealth Law, 2018 and 2020
    • Named "Lawyer of the Year" in The Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estates, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023

    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estates, 2007-Present

    • Named a Top Lawyer by dbusiness Magazine for Trusts and Estates, 2011-2013, 2015-2017
    • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® for Estate Planning & Probate, and Tax: Consumer, 2007-Present
    • Recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Named one of Top 50 Women Super Lawyers in Michigan 2009-2012
    • Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017

    • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Member, Elected 2003
    • State Bar of Michigan
    • Washtenaw County Bar Association
    • Washtenaw Estate Planning Council
    • Ann Arbor Public Schools Education Foundation, August 2009-2012; Attorney; Member, Board of Directors 
    • Leslie Science and Nature Center, Attorney; Member, Board of Directors, September 2006 through 2013; Chair, Board of Directors, January 2011 through December 2012
    • Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Publications Advisory Board for Estate Planning and Probate, Former Member and Special Advisor for Estate Planning and Probate Certificate Program
    • Washtenaw County Jewish Community Foundation, Member of Board of Directors, Fall 1999-Spring 2004
    • Michigan State Bar Association Probate and Estate Planning Council: Member, Fall 1998-Spring 2001; Chair of Amicus Curiae Committee 1998-Spring 2001; Assistant Editor of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal 1998-Spring 2001
    • Washtenaw County Estate Planning Council, President, Fall 1997-Summer 1998; Vice President, Fall 1997; Member Board of Directors May 1995-Fall 1998
    • Washtenaw County Bar Association's Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section, Chair, August 1993-August 1995
    • Board of Governors of Lawyers Club, Governor University of Michigan Law School, January 1994-2004
    • University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History, Member of Board of Advisors, January 1998-2001
    • Ann Arbor Art Center, Board Member, January 1996-February 1998
      • Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School
      • Law Clerk, Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court
      • Law Clerk, Judge Harry T. Edwards, U.S Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia

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