International Fellow Nomination

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel recognizes leading international trust and estate professionals who have made a substantial contribution to the T&E field. To become an International Fellow of the College, one must be nominated by an active Fellow in good standing and elected by the Board of Regents.

International Fellows participate in stimulating committee discussions, which are a highlight of every national meeting, and the committee work-product is the pride of the College.

The International Estate Planning Committee

The International Estate Planning Committee focuses on the planning, administration and litigation issues that face individuals who have (or plan to have) multinational assets, multinational families and/or cross-border issues. These issues include income, inheritance and transfer taxation, probate and succession, property regimes, reporting and compliance, preimmigration, expatriation, asset protection, the use and administration of various structures and entities, litigation and other dispute resolution processes.

FATF Task Force

Members of the Task Force, along with delegates from the American Bar Association, regularly meet with representatives of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and attend FATF sessions worldwide presenting input by the College on compliance efforts and initiatives in the United States and how they may impact the attorney-client relationship, particularly with regard to customer due diligence (CDD), transparency and beneficial ownership. 

During ACTEC meetings, international speakers present to the Task Force with updates relevant to the Task Force from around the world. The Task Force also educates attorneys on issues concerning money laundering and best practices to assist them in complying with varying worldwide anti-money laundering responsibilities.

International Fellow Requirements

In order to become an International Fellow of ACTEC, one must:

1. Have been predominantly in the active practice of trust and estate law for at least 10 years;
2. Have been regularly involved in cross-border T&E work between the United States and another country that requires coordination and cooperation with lawyers of both countries;
3. Have the level of practice and follow the ethical rules in the jurisdiction in which one practices, which must be comparable to those found in the United States;
4. Be licensed in one’s jurisdiction after meeting licensing requirements comparable to the licensing qualifications required to be a Fellow;
5. Have a well-deserved outstanding reputation for cross-border work both in the country in which one practices and among the members of the College;
6. Have demonstrated exceptional skill in cross-border T&E law;
7. Have made substantial contributions to the cross-border T&E field that are highly rated among cross-border lawyers and are comparable to the highly respected contributions made by a Fellow through by lecturing, writing, teaching, or being involved in bar activities or in the enactment of significant T & E legislation in the country in one practices;
8. Be a lawyer to whom members of the College who have personal knowledge would readily refer a matter within one’s field of cross-border practice expertise without reservation.

Countries with International Fellows

ACTEC International Fellows come from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

If you believe you are qualified and want to find out more about ACTEC, contact an ACTEC Fellow or the membership director at the national office, Amy.Michaud@actec.org.