Overview
James B. Stewart practices in the areas of estate planning and trust and estate administration.
While Jim is primarily engaged in various aspects of trusts and estates law, he also handles real estate transactions associated with the settlement of trusts and estates and oversees the firm’s activities with regard to the preparation of personal and fiduciary income tax returns.
He has lectured before the Connecticut Society for Certified Public Accountants and Bridgeport Bar Association on Connecticut estate settlement practice and related matters.
Office
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Connecticut Bar Association - Executive Committee, Estates and Probate Section; writes case commentaries and other articles for the section's newsletter
Greater Bridgeport Bar Association - Probate Section; panelist for several Greater Bridgeport Bar Association programs
Honors & Recognitions
Named a Moffly Media Top Lawyer in Fairfield County, 2021 and 2023 - Wills
Received the highest peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell (AV)
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of trust and estates since 2013
Selected to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list in 2006 and 2008 in the areas of estate and probate
Experience
- Representation of Executors and Trustees before the Internal Revenue Service and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services in various successful contested estate and gift tax proceedings.
- Utilization of various types of testamentary and inter-vivos trusts to achieve estate planning and financial management objectives for family assets.
- Oversee post-mortem fiduciary and individual tax planning in connection with the settlement of estate and trust matters for a wide range of clientele.
- Review and preparation of testamentary and inter-vivos arrangements, advance health care directives and durable powers of attorney to address and satisfy the needs of a wide range of client requirements and circumstances.
- Creating the Elizabeth M. Pfriem Foundation as an integral element of this wealthy client’s community servicing to extend a lifetime of area philanthropy and serving as a fiduciary of her Estate, Trust and Private Foundation.
News & Insights
Publications
Press Releases
Case Studies
Practice Areas
Industries
Bar and Court Admissions
- Connecticut
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D., 1968
Wesleyan University, B.A., 1965