Mary E. Vandenack

A founding member of the firm, Mary offers extraordinary energy and focus in the inter-related areas of tax, business, real estate, health care, estate planning, business succession planning and asset protection planning. Mary excels in dealing with the issues of closely held businesses — companies operated primarily by their owners. Mary also excels at integrating technology with the practice of law. Under Mary's guidance, the firm has been innovative in evolving client service with technology. The systems developed have streamlined the legal process for her clients and for the firm, and Mary's efforts in this regard have played a significant role in her recruitment for the American Bar Association's Law Practice Section Senior Editorial Board. Mary uses her vast knowledge of law and technology to provide clients with top-quality customer service and representation.Mary graduated magna cum laude from Creighton University School of Law in 1992, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Creighton Law Review, won a Domestic Moot Court competition as Best Oral Advocate, and was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society. Mary received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting, summa cum laude, from the College of Saint Mary.Mary regularly speaks and writes in her practice areas. Mary serves on the Editorial Board for the American Bar Association Law Practice Management Magazine as well as the Board for the ABA Women Rainmakers. She currently writes a column on estate planning and business succession issues for the Metro Magazine. Mary is active in promoting the use of technology in the practice of law and in improving the cost effectiveness and efficiency of legal services. In addition, Mary is a member of various task forces promoting changes in legislation and regulations governing tax, business and health care.In her spare time, Mary shares her love for health and wellness by teaching yoga.

Speaking Engagements, Presentations and Instruction -

Speaker/Presenter- February 26, 2020- “A Straightforward Approach to a Path in Legal Technology for Women”- ABA Women Rainmakers presenting Women of Legal Tech Summit 2020Speaker/Presenter- February 21, 2020- “Rethinking Disposition of Trusts at Certain Ages: Approaches to Trust Design with an Asset Protection Focus” – Annual Creighton Law Review Symposium and Tepoel LectureModerator – October 17, 2019 – Avoiding Employment Litigation webinar seriesSpeaker – May 14, 2019 – “The Future of Estate Planning Practice” – Webinar for Purposeful Planning InstituteSpeaker/Presenter – May 3, 2019 – “50 Lessons for Women Lawyers” – New York State Bar AssociationSpeaker/Presenter – April 16, 2019 – “Preserving Client Testamentary Intent” – Presentation at Omaha Estate Planning Council Breakfast MeetingSpeaker/Presenter – March 28, 2019 – “Avoiding Erosion of Testamentary Intent via Contractual Designation” – Presentation at the Society of Financial Service Professionals March 2019 Breakfast MeetingCo-Presenter – March 7, 2019 – “Using Tech to Improve and Grow Your Estate Planning Practice – Part 2” – Webinar with Martin ShenkmanSpeaker/Presenter – February 28, 2019 – “Process Automation Phase One: Developing Checklists and Maps” – ABA Techshow 2019 PresentationSpeaker/Presenter – February 28, 2019 – “Next Generation Technology for the Solo and Small Firm” – ABA Techshow 2019 PresentationSpeaker/Presenter – February 27, 2019 – “Designing the Law Firm of the Future: Diversity, Inclusion, Technology, and Innovation” – Women of Legal Tech PresentationPresenter – January 29, 2019 – “Using Tech to Grow Your Estate Planning Practice” – WebinarSpeaker/Presenter – December 2018 – “Profitable Alternative Fees for the Process Oriented Lawyer” – OBA End of the Year CLE Presented by OBA Lawyer Referral ServiceSpeaker/Presenter – September 2018 – ABA Presentation “Future Proofing Your Law Firm”Presenter/Panelist – September 13, 2018 – ABA Webinar: CE1809SFP Affordable Technology for Solo and Small Firm ProductivityCo-Speaker – July 10, 2018 – “Understanding What the 2017 Tax Reform Means to Your Firm” – Webinar for the Massachusetts Bar AssociatioSpeaker- “Moving? Can I Take It with Me? Can I Use Something New? State Law Exemptions Under the Microscope” – Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Symposia, May 2018Moderator – May 2018 – “Essential Lawyering Skills for Today” – ABA RPTE COP ProgramSpeaker- “Understanding What the 2017 Tax Reform Means For You – 199A,” ABA Webinar April 2018Speaker- “Mindful Leadership for Technology and Innovation” ABA TECHSHOW, March 2018Speaker- “Alternative Fees for the Process-Oriented Firm” ABA TECHSHOW, March 2018Speaker- “Affordable Technology for Small Firm Productivity” ABA TECHSHOW, March 2018Speaker – “The Future of Legal Services” – Lawpact Futures Conference – November 2017Speaker- “Contract Based Wealth Transfers & Erosion of Testamentary Intent” Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Symposia, April 2017Speaker – “When Law Firms Merge”; “Panel Presentation: Future of Legal Services”; “Facilitator Trusts and Estates Community”; “Yoga for Technologists”; “Mindful Meditation” – ABA TECHSHOW March 2017Speaker – “Alternative Fee Arrangements” for ABA RPTE Non-Tax Issues Committee Teleconference February 2017Speaker – “Analysis of the ABA Report on the Future of Legal Services” Podcast, Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips Blog, October 2016Speaker – “Small Firms/Big Markets” Omaha Legal Professionals Association, October 2016Speaker – “Implementing Alternative Billing in Your Law Practice” Legal Talk Network, New Solo Podcast October 2016Speaker – “Small Firms/Big Markets” ISA and NSA Solo and Small Firm Conference 2016Speaker – “Alternative Fees: Making Them Profitable” ISA and NSA Solo and Small Firm Conference 2016Speaker – “Small Firms/Big Markets” ABA TECHSHOW March 2016Speaker – “How to Compete with IBM Watson JD: Future-proof your practice by improving efficiency now – Part 1” ABA Law Practice January 2016Speaker – “Business Succession Planning – Omaha Network January 2016Speaker – “Technology in Law Practice: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” Omaha Bar Association December 2015Speaker – “Estate Planning for Farmers” Hertz Management November 2015Speaker – Future of Legal Services, ABA Law Practice Spring Meeting June 2015Speaker – “How to Have a Full Plate in Life – without dropping anything off” College of Saint Mary Honor Student Program January 2015Speaker – “Legal Issues for Businesses,” Midlands National Management Association, May 2008Speaker – “Medical Records Guide,” Medical Group Presentations, 2008Speaker – “Charitable Giving Considerations,” Charitable Organization Presentations, 2005Speaker – “Estate Planning Guide,” Medical Group Presentations, 2005Speaker – “Retirement Plan Design Considerations,” Firm Seminar, 2004Speaker – “Estate Planning for Farm Assets,” Hertz Farm Management, Fall 2003Speaker – “HIPAA Basics,” Medical Group Presentations, 2003Speaker – “Estate Planning Considerations,” Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, Spring 2003Speaker – “Estate Planning In Changing Times,” Archdiocese of Omaha, Fall 2002Speaker – “Charitable Giving Strategies,” Wahoo Neumann Schools, Fall 2001Instructor – “Legal Writing,” Creighton University School of Law, 1993-1994Legal publications-

- ‘The Slow Return to the New Normal and Different Approaches to Signing/Executing Estate Planning Documents” Mary E. Vandenack, Martin M. Shenkman, Jonathan Blattmachr, Andrew Wolfe, and Thomas A. Tietz, LISI Estate Planning Newsletter #2794 (May 11, 2020)

- “Retirement Plan Provisions of the CARES Act” – Mary E. Vandenack, Retirement Daily (April 6, 2020)

- “Managing the Remote Law Practice and Other Practical Administrative Considerations during Coronavirus” – Mary E. Vandenack, Martin Shenkman & Jonathan Blattmachr, LISI Estate Planning Newsletter #2789 (April 17, 2020)

- “Retirement Plan Provisions of the CARES Act” – Mary E. Vandenack, LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Email Newsletter #728 (March 27, 2020)

- “Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Provisions Expanding Requirements for Businesses to Provide Paid Emergency Leave” – Mary E. Vandenack & James S. Pieper, LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Email Newsletter #726 (March 23, 2020)

- “Foundational Estate Planning Priorities in the Face of Covid-19” – Mary E. Vandenack, LISI Estate Planning Newsletter #2784 (March 18, 2020)

- “When a Trademark Owner is Entitled to the Profits of a Competitor” – Mary E. Vandenack, metroMAGAZINE February 2020

- “How Long Do You Have to Keep Old Wills” – Mary E. Vandenack, LISI Newsletter #2778: New York State Bar Association Committee on Professional Ethics Opinion 1182 February 2020

- “Planning to Sell a Closely Held Business” – Mary E. Vandenack, metroMAGAZINE December 2019

- “Planning: Life, Estate, Asset Protection, Business, Transition” – Mary E. Vandenack, metroMAGAZINE October 2019

- LISI Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning Newsletter #709 (September 12, 2019) – Mary E. Vandenack

- Commentary on the 11th Annual NYU Tax Controversy Forum - LISI Income Tax Planning Newsletter #182 (July 18, 2019

- Estate Planning Considerations Under Internal Revenue Code 199A – Mary E. Vandenack, October 2018 metroMAGAZINE.

- The Impact of Tax Reforms on Service Professionals – Mary E. Vandenack, metroQUARTERLY August 2018 issue.

- “The Sustainable Law Firm”, Law Practice Magazine July/August 2018 issue

- Mary Vandenack was listed as a resource for The Well-Being Toolkit for Lawyers & Legal Employers, released July, 2018.

- Mary Vandenack was featured in the American Bar Association’s Women of Legal Tech 2018. The Legal Technology Resource Center’s Women of Legal Tech initiative is intended to encourage diversity and celebrate women in legal technology. This artticle can be found at lawtechnologytoday.org.

- “SEC’s Proposed Rule Requiring a Customer Relationship Summary,” LISI Estate Planning Newsletter #696 (June 18, 2018). Copyright 2018 Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI). Reproduction in Any Form or Forwarding to Any Person Prohibited – Without Express Written Permission.

- The Impact of Tax Reform on Law Firms – Mary E. Vandenack, Law Practice Magazine, June 2018.

- “SEC’s Proposed Regulation Best Interest”, LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Newsletter #695 (June 18, 2018)

- ” SEC’s proposed Interpretation of Standard of Conduct for Investment Advisers,” LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Newsletter #694 (June 5, 2018).

- “The Status of the Fiduciary Rule,” Summer 2018 metroQuarterly

- “Fifth Circuit’s Vacating the Fiduciary Rule,” LISI Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning Newsletter #690 (April 5, 2018)

- ““Matter of Scottrade, Inc., Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Massachusetts’ Effort to Enforce the Fiduciary Rule,” LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Newsletter #689 (March 20, 2018).

- “Estate Plan Asset Coordination-Ensuring Your Testamentary Intention,” Spring 2018 metroQuarterly

-“Mindful Leadership,” March/April 2018 Law Practice Magazine

- “A Primer on Subpart F on the Internal Revenue Code: Taxation of U.S. Shareholders Owning Interests in Controlled Foreign Corporations,” Coauthored with Monte Schatz, Jan/Feb 2018 The Nebraska Lawyer, Vol 21

- “10 Ways the Tax Overhaul Could Hurt You,” LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Newsletter #120 (December 11, 2017)

- “Final Regulation on Mortality Tables,” LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Newsletter #684 (November 13, 2017)

- “Finding and Developing Effective Practice Group Leaders,” Nov/Dec 2017 Law Practice Magazine

- "McGaugh v. Commissioner: Seventh Circuit Finds no Taxable IRA Distribution where Taxpayer wired funds to Purchase stock IRA Custodian Refused to Accept," LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Newsletter #679 (August 7, 2017)

- “DNA Pro Ventures: IRS’s Disqualification of ESOP Upheld by Tax Court and 8th Circuit,” LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Newsletter #676 (June 21, 2017).

- “Law Firm Growth: Key Considerations in Expansion,” May/June 2017 Law Practice Magazine Volume 43

-"Mary Vandenack: Trimmer v. Commissioner: Tax Court Allows Hardship Exception to 60-Day Rollover Requirement," LISI Employee Benefit & Retirement Planning Newsletter #675 (June 7, 2017)

-"Law Firm Growth: Key Considerations in Expansion," May/June 2017 Law Practice Magazine-"Avoiding Estate Battles," May/Jun/Jul 2017 metroQUARTERLY-"Mary Vandenack: Wu vs. United States: 7th Circuit Holds Section 408(D) (4) Applies Only to Withdrawal of Contributions made in a Taxable Year and Withdrawn No Later than the Due Date of the taxpayer's Tax Return for that Taxable Year," LISI Employee Benefit & Retirement Planning Newsletter #671 (Mar 21, 2017)-"Making Technology a part of Firm Culture" Mar/Apr 2017 Law Practice Magazine-"Asset Protection Trusts," " Feb/Mar/Apr 2017 metroQuarterly-"Ensuring Your Law Firm is on Course," Nov/Dec 2016 Law Practice Magazine-"Discounting Rules for Family Limited Partnerships are being Revised," Nov/Dec/Jan 2016/17 metroQuarterly-"Assisting Clients with Gun Trusts," The Nebraska Lawyer, Sept/Oct 2016. This article was first published in the LISI Estate Planning Newsletter #2411 (May 3, 2016) at https:/www.leimbergServices.com. Copyright 2016 Mary E. Vandenack and Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI). Reproduction in Any Form or Forwarding to Any Person Prohibited - Without Express Written Permission.-"IRS Issues Final REgulations with Res[ect to How the Minimum Present Value Rules Apply to Defined Benefit Plan Distributions," by Mary E. Vandenackl appears in the LISI Employee Benefits & Retirement Planning Newsletter #664 (Sept 27, 2016) at http:/leimbergservices.com. Copyright 2016 Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI). Reporoduction in Any Form or Forwarding to Any Person Prohibited - Without Express Permission.-“Leading Innovation,” July/Aug 2016 Law Practice Magazine-“Notice 2016-39: Recovery of Investment in the Contract from Payments Received from a Qualified Benefit Plan during Phased Retirement,” by Mary E. Vandenack appears in the LISI Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning Newsletter #658 (June 29, 2016) at http:/www.LeimbergServices.com. Copyright 2016 Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI). Reproduction in Any Form or Forwarding to Any Person Prohibited – Without Express Written Permission. -"Mary Vandenack & Nicholas Meier: Assisting Clients with Gun Trusts", LISI Estate Planning Newsletter #2411 (May 3, 2016) http://www.LeimbergServices.com. Copyright 2016 Mary E. Vandenack and Leimberg Information Services, Inc. (LISI). Reproduction in Any Form or Forwarding to Any Person Prohibited - Without Express Written Permission.-"Law Firm Growth: Key Considerations in Expansion," May/June 2017 Law Practice Magazine-"Avoiding Estate Battles," May/Jun/Jul 2017 metroQUARTERLY-"Mary Vandenack: Wu vs. United States: 7th Circuit Holds Section 408(D) (4) Applies Only to Withdrawal of Contributions made in a Taxable Year and Withdrawn No Later than the Due Date of the taxpayer's Tax Return for that Taxable Year," LISI Employee Benefit & Retirement Planning Newsletter #671 (Mar 21, 2017)-"Making Technology a part of Firm Culture" Mar/Apr 2017 Law Practice Magazine-"Keeping Your Estate Planning Up To Date", May/Jun/Jul 2016 metroQUARTERLY-"IRS Withdraws Proposed Regulations Affecting Nondiscrimination Requirements for Qualified Plans," LISI Employee Benefits and Retirement Planning Newsletter #657 (April 25, 2016)-"Leading Technological Change in Your Firm," Mar/Apr 2016 Law Practice Magazine- "To Cloud or Not to Cloud?," Mar/Apr 2016 Law Practice Magazine-“Directed Trusts for Special Situations,” Feb/Mar/Apr 2016 metroQuarterly-"The ABA Commission on the Future of Legal Services," Jan/Feb 2016 Law Practice Magazine -"Charitable Giving Strategies to Benefit Charity and Get a Tax Deduction," Feb/Mar/Apr 2015 metroQUARTERLY-"Caring for a Disabled Beneficiary: Third Party Special Needs Trust," Nov/Dec/Jan 2014/15 metroQUARTERLY-"Mary Vandenack & Dan Wintz: Drafting Considerations for the Third-Party Spendthrift Trust after In re Castellano," LISI Asset Protection Planning Newsletter #259 (September 10, 2014)-"Estate Planning with IRAs: Inherited IRAs Are Not Protected From Creditors," Aug/Sept/Oct 2014 metroQuarterly-"Mary E. Vandenack: Reconsidering the Design of Trusts Used as IRA and Qualified Account Beneficiaries Post-Clark," LISI Asset Protection Planning Newsletter #252 (July 7, 2014)-"Mary Vandenack & Assisting Clients in Avoiding Potential Creditors: What Actions Can an Attorney Take?" LISI Asset Protection Planning Newsletter #246 (June 9, 2014) -"Hiring a Marketing Director for Small or Midsized Firms," May/June 2014 Law Practice Magazine -"Protecting Your Rights to Intellectual Property," May 2014 metroMAGAZINE-"Protecting Your Intellectual Property," Coauthored with Joshua A. Diveley, March 2014 Web-"Pros & Cons of Portability in Estate Planning," March 2014 metroMAGAZINE-"Tax Planning for Real Estate Investors and Professionals Considering the Net Investment Income Tax and Additional Self Employment Tax," January 2014 metroMAGAZINE-"2013 Year End Tax Planning," November 2013 metroMAGAZINE- "Preventing Theft and Fraud Within Your Law Firm," Sept/Oct 2013 Law Practice Magazine-"Who Are Your Children & Descendants? Your Will in a Time of Unique Parental Situations," September 2013 metroMAGAZINE-"Venture Capital Investments in Legal Services," July/August 2013 Law Practice Magazine-"Business Fraud and Theft Prevention," July 2013 metro Magazine-"Gun Trusts for Gun Owners or Those Considering Purchasing a Gun," May 2013 metro Magazine-"Estate Planning After 'ATRA,'" March 2013 metro Magazine-"New Medicare Tax Applies in 2013: Strategies for Minimizing the Cost," January 2013 metro Magazine-“Making the Decision To Make a Change,” January/February 2013 Law Practice Magazine-“Dawn of a New Business Model,” January/February 2013 Law Practice Magazine-“Building on Key Capital: Your Current Clients,” November/December 2012 Law Practice Magazine-“Asset Protection Planning Trusts,” January 2012 metro Magazine-“Year End Tax Planning Tips,” November 2011 metro Magazine-“Estate Planning Under the Tax Relief Act of 2010,” March 2011 metro Magazine-“The Mini Private Foundation,” January/February 2011 metro Magazine-“Another New Tax Act: Small Business Jobs Act of 2010,” November 2010 metro Magazine-“Your Will if You Have No Will,” September 2010 metro Magazine-“Advance Directives Options in Nebraska,” July 2010 metro Magazine-“Health Care Reform and You,” May 2010 metro Magazine-“Insuring a Key Asset: Your Stream of Income,” March 2010 metro Magazine-“Planning for the Disabled Beneficiary: The Special Needs Estate Plan,” October 2008 metro Magazine-“Year-end Tax Thoughts: Estate Planning,” November 2009 metro Magazine-"Asset Protection," September 2009 metro Magazine-“American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009,” May 2009 metro Magazine-“Estate Planning During Economic & Tax Uncertainty,” January 2009 metro Magazine-“Estate Planning Basics,” November 2008 metro Magazine-“The Family Foundation for Charitable Giving,” September 2008 metro Magazine-“Employer-Provided Autos Can Benefit Employers,” 23 Taxation for Lawyers 137 (1994).-“The Entertainment Facility Rules of Section 274 and Corporate-Owned Condominiums,” 9 Akron Law Review 1 (1992).-Casenote: "Holland v. Illinois, The Impartiality Requirement of the Sixth Amendment and Peremptory Challenges," 25 Creighton Law Review 313 (1990).Speaking engagements, presentations, and instruction-Speaker - "Analysis of the ABA R