On Tax Ali Denning of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Sep 10, 2024
Ali Denning, a partner in the Trusts and Estates Department at Cravath, shares her journey from exploring various interests to finding her calling in tax law. She discusses the nuanced differences between corporate law and estate planning, highlighting the importance of effective communication and tailored client relationships. Ali also emphasizes the value of experiential learning for young lawyers and addresses common misconceptions in estate planning. Beyond law, she talks about her passions for running, historical fiction, and crafting with her family.
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Ali's Path to Law
- Ali Denning explored several fields including history and organic chemistry before settling on law.
- She worked as a legal assistant at Cravath's corporate group to confirm her career choice.
Client-Led Trust Advice
- Understand a client's broader goals before applying tax expertise.
- Tailor estate planning to their personal objectives, not just tax efficiency.
Estate Tax Misconceptions
- Many people mistakenly believe estate and gift taxes apply to most individuals.
- In reality, the exemption thresholds are very high, so most estates are unaffected.
