SIOUX FALLS ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

A superb lawyer; efficient, creative, collegial and learned.” – Martindale-Hubbell.com

“One of the best lawyers in the state.” – Martindale-Hubbell.com

That is how her peers in the legal field describe Marya, who practices in the areas of estate

planning; estate and gift taxation; guardianship and conservatorship law; probate administration;

fiduciary representation; and trust law. Marya chairs Lindquist & Vennum’s Trusts and Estates

practice group. She was elected to The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a

national organization of approximately 2,600 lawyers elected to membership by demonstrating

the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience as trust

and estate counselors.

Marya frequently writes and speaks on estate planning and probate matters. Nationally, Marya

has presented for the American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation on advanced planning

matters including dynasty trusts and intentionally defective grantor trusts, and has presented

several webinars through Thompson Reuters. In Minnesota, she is active in the Minnesota CLE:

she serves on the planning committee for its Annual Probate and Trust Law Conference,

contributed to its publication Minnesota Marital Deduction Deskbook, and served as course chair

of a seminar centered on that publication. She has presented on marital deduction planning,

disclaimer planning and other topics at six Minnesota State Bar Association Annual Probate and

Trust Law Conferences, as well as other conferences. At a county level, Marya chaired the

Hennepin County Bar Association’s seminars on probate and guardianship and conservatorship

topics for several years and co-presents for the Ramsey County Bar Association on business

succession. In addition, she has authored several articles related to guardianship and

conservatorship, and she has presented on fiduciary duties to other professionals.

As an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas Law School, Marya teaches estate and

trust law. In addition, she has served on the board of the Minnesota Association of Guardianship

and Conservatorship, and as editor of the Association’s quarterly journal. The journal has

featured articles written by Marya that address the state’s guardianship act, trustee powers and

attorneys’ ethical duties.

Before moving into private practice, she served as a judicial clerk for the Hon. Bruce D. Willis at

the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Notable Presentations and Publications

“Dynasty Trusts,” American Bar Association Section of Taxation, Denver, CO, October 2011

“Disclaimers  Planning and Administration,” MSBA 37th Annual Probate & Trust Law Section

Conference, St. Paul, MN, June 2011

“§ 674: Planning for Grantor Trusts,” American Bar Association Section of Taxation, May 2011

(national webinar) and September 2010 (Toronto, Canada)

“Estate Planning with Life Insurance Policies – Reduce Potential Liability Claims While Improving a

Client’s Estate Plan,” American Bar Association Probate and Property Journal, January 2010

“The Uses and Considerations of GRATs and QPRTs,” American Bar Association Section of

Taxation, San Antonio, TX, January 2010

“Critical Issues in Planning with Life Insurance,” Thomson Reuters via West Legal Education

Center, national webinar, November 2009

“Understanding the Prudent Investor Rule,” Journal of the Minnesota Association for

Guardianship and Conservatorship, Spring 2009

“The Basics of Marital Deduction Planning,” MSBA Annual Probate & Trust Law Section

Conference, St. Paul, MN, June 2008

“Planning Personal Legal Needs,” Minnesota Business, July 2007

Honors and Awards

Martindale-Hubbell™ “Top Rated Lawyer in ‘Trusts and Estates,’” AV-Preeminent rating, 2013

Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching, University of St. Thomas School of Law, 2013

Minnesota Rising Stars, 2006–2008, 2011-2012