Clayton W. Chan
Experience
Inspired by his belief that people, relationships and families form the core of
successful estate and wealth preservation planning, Clayton Chan addresses his clients'
personal, emotional, financial and tax-driven goals and objectives. He emphasizes
personal attention and close collaboration when crafting customized and holistic
estate plans for individuals and families. He is the sole author of several definitive
manuals and guides to estate planning, wills, trusts and business succession planning.
Clayton assists clients with a wide range of complex trust, probate and estate matters
through sophisticated estate planning techniques, wealth preservation and asset
protection planning strategies, and sound charitable planning counsel. He has
significant experience representing closely held business owners and their families,
Fortune 500 corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals. Clayton’s deep
experience in estate planning includes:

Business succession planning, including the use of Grantor Retained Annuity
Trusts (GRATs), Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs) and BuySell/Shareholder Agreements

Charitable planning, including the use of charitable trusts and private
foundations

Preparation of Private Letter Ruling requests to the IRS involving tax transfer
issues

Trust litigation matters

International estate planning

Preparation of settlement trust agreements in personal injury cases

Elder law

Planning involving corporate executive compensation assets, including non-
Of Counsel
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 373-8865 direct
(612) 373-8881 fax
clayton.chan@stoel.com
Education

J.D., 2000, cum laude

The use of family limited partnerships, including valuation discount planning

Complex estate, trust and probate administration

Working with corporate fiduciaries
Before joining Stoel Rives, Clayton was a shareholder with Moss & Barnett P.A. and a
partner at Lindquist & Vennum PLLP and Winthrop & Weinstine P.A.
University of Minnesota Carlson School
of Management, M.B.T., major degree
requirements completed

University of Minnesota, College of
Liberal Arts Honors Division, B.S.,
Economics, 1997, cum laude
Phi Kappa Phi
qualified stock options and performance stock awards

University of Minnesota Law School,
Admissions

Minnesota
Languages

Chinese
Clayton W. Chan
Professional Honors and Activities

Recipient, Five Star Wealth Manager Award (Estate Planning), Five Star Professional, 2015

Listed among Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (Estate Planning), Minnesota Law & Politics, 2005-2007, 2010

Named an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Minnesota Lawyer, 2007

Member, Asset Protection Committee, American Bar Association

Member, Minnesota State Bar Association

Member; Co-Chair, Probate & Trust Section (2008-2010); Co-Chair, Programming Committee (2006-2007); Hennepin County Bar
Association
Publications & Presentations

Author, Minnesota Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts Library: Forms and Practice Manual (3rd, 4th and 5th editions), Data Trace
Publishing, 2012, 2013, 2014

Author, “Business Succession Planning 101,” Moss & Barnett newsletter, 2012

Author, Business Succession and Estate Planning for the Closely Held Business Owner, Thomson-Reuters/Aspatore, 2012

Presenter, “Federal Tax Law Changes Under the 2010 Tax Relief Act,” M&A webinar series, Lindquist & Vennum PLLP, 2011

Author, “Estate Planning in Uncertain Times,” Estate Planning Client Strategies, Thomson-Reuters/Aspatore, 2010

Author, Minnesota Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts Library: Forms and Practice Manual (1st and 2nd editions) (co-author), Data
Trace Publishing, 2009, 2010
Civic Activities

Co-Founder, former Vice President, National Association of Asian-American Professionals, Minnesota Chapter

Former member, Selection Committee, Minnesota State Bar Association Minority Clerkship Program

Past mentor, Winthrop & Weinstine Minority Mentorship Program, University of Minnesota Law School

Past mentor, University of St. Thomas School of Law Mentorship Program

Past mentor, Minneapolis Edison High School writing program for disadvantaged youths