Michelle M. Huhnke focuses her practice on estate planning, charitable planning, and wealth preservation. She works with clients and their families to develop estate plans that address varied family circumstances in a caring, detailed way and include efficient estate, gift and generation-skipping tax planning.
Honors
Selected by peers as a Leading Lawyer in: Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law (2014-2017)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated, Chicago's Top Rated Lawyers, Trusts and Estates (2012, 2013); 5.0/5.0 Overall Client Rating – Martindale.com
Publications
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02/08/2017
Michelle M. Huhnke authors an article entitled “Will President Trump Repeal the Estate Tax?” on the Financial Poise website.
On February 8, 2017, Financial Poise published an article written by Michelle M. Huhnke entitled “Will President Trump Repeal the Estate Tax?” The article discusses current estate tax, provisions that reduce its effect, and the whether a repeal is likely given the administration’s current agenda.
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08/08/2016
Michelle Huhnke authors article titled, “Do I Need an Estate Plan?”
The Financial Poise website features Michelle Huhnke’s article titled, “Do I Need an Estate Plan?”
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08/02/2016
Michelle Huhnke is interviewed by Financial Poise regarding her Estate Planning, Charitable Planning and Wealth Preservation practices.
Michelle Huhnke is interviewed by Financial Poise regarding her Estate Planning, Charitable Planning and Wealth Preservation practices.
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07/07/2014
SFGH attorneys assist XS Tennis and Education Foundation with the development of the XS Tennis Village on the South Side of Chicago.
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partners Adam Grais, Mark Lenz and Michelle Huhnke have been working with the XS Tennis and Education Foundation on the development of the XS Tennis Village in the Washington Park neighborhood of Chicago. At a press conference on May 21, 2014, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the XS Tennis Village, a new $9.8 million, 112,000-square-foot world-class tennis facility in the Washington Park neighborhood of Chicago. This project allow the Foundation to expand its innovative Tennis XSpress programming for the Chicago Public School, increasing the number of participating schools from 10 to 20 and exposing more than 4,000 CPS students to the sport of tennis and the habits of an active and healthy lifestyle. Groundbreaking is expected in fall, 2014.
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01/16/2013
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP Named Among 2013's Top Ranked Law Firms by LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP has been named one of 2013's Top Ranked Law Firms across the United States by LexisNexis® Martindale-Hubbell®.
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02/28/2012
Obama Administration Budget Proposals Include Income and Estate Tax Increases
A discussion of the income and estate tax proposals in the Obama administration's fiscal year 2013 budget.
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06/24/2011
Illinois Recognizes New Marital Relationships
A discussion of the Illinois Civil Union Act and its effect on both same-sex and opposite-sex couples entering into civil unions.
Speaking Engagements
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12/14/2017
Michelle Huhnke sits as panelist for the fourth episode in a series of webinars entitled, "One Hour Law School 2.0: Representing a Not-For-Profit" for West LegalEd Center.
On December 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP partner Michelle Huhnke will sit as a panelist for the fourth episode of a West LegalEd Center webinar series titled, "One Hour Law School 2.0: Tell Me What I Need To Know". The overall series considers some issues facing business people and businesses of all sizes. The fourth episode will analyze the key differences between for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including their capitalization, taxation and governance, and provide tips for assuring continued tax-exemption and continued operations.
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02/01/2017
Michelle Huhnke speaks on Financial Poise/West LegalEdcenter webinar entitled “Estate Planning and Asset Protection in an Hour”
On February 1, 2017, Michelle Huhnke spoke on a Financial Poise/West LegalEdcenter webinar entitled “Estate Planning and Asset Protection in an Hour.” The webinar focused on estate planning, which is a fundamental part of making certain that one’s financial life is in order. People need to protect themselves while they are alive and make sure that when they die, the wealth they have spent a lifetime accumulating will be passed to their chosen beneficiaries in a caring and efficient way. They also need to understand that there are ways to protect assets earmarked for heirs from the claims of potential future creditors. This webinar is episode #1 of the One Hour Law School – Tell Me What I Need to Know series moderated by Michael Brandess. This Financial Poise webinar gives real world tips of things to in crafting your estate plan.
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12/15/2015
Michelle Huhnke co-presents two-day national webcast for the National Business Institute on founding and operating a tax exempt organization
On December 15-16, 2015, Michelle Huhnke joined a panel teaching the "Ultimate Guide to Tax Exempt Organizations" for the National Business Institute.
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06/30/2015
Michelle Huhnke speaks at National Business Institute seminar entitled "Tax Exempt Organizations from Start to Finish."
On June 30, 2015, Michelle Huhnke spoke at a seminar entitled "Tax Exempt Organizations from Start to Finish" sponsored by the National Business Institute.
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01/28/2015
Michelle Huhnke presents “Fiduciary Income Tax and Tax Accounting for Trusts and Estates” sponsored by Chicago Estate Planning Council
On January 28, 2015, Michelle Huhnke of Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP and Tina Milligan of CTC myCFO presents "Fiduciary Income Tax and Tax Accounting for Trusts and Estates" sponsored by the Chicago Estate Planning Council.
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04/21/2014
Michelle Huhnke co-presents webcast for the National Business Institute regarding operation of tax-exempt organizations
On April 21, 2014, Michelle Huhnke co-presented a national webcast regarding the operation of tax-exempt organizations.
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11/07/2013
Michelle M. Huhnke serves as panelist during Chicago Estate Planning Council training program
Michelle M. Huhnke spoke on thee basics of preparing and understanding tax returns during an estate planning fundamentals training program on November 7, 2013 sponsored by the Chicago Estate Planning Council.
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06/25/2013
Michelle Huhnke speaks on Tax Exempt Organizations at National Business Institute Conference
Michelle M. Huhnke joins the faculty of the National Business Institute for a day-long seminar on Exempt Organizations law. Michelle's presentations will focus on ethics and reporting issues.
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06/23/2013
Michelle Huhnke to speak on Tax Exempt Organizations on National Business Institute Webcast
Michelle M. Huhnke will participate in a webcast on the legal issues facing charities and other exempt organizations. Michelle will discuss charitable giving issues from the perspective of donors and of charities. She will also teach an ethics session that highlights the benefits to charities of vigorous attention to good ethical practices.
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06/10/2013
Form 990: Key Compliance Points and Disclosure Considerations
On June 10, 2013, Michelle M. Huhnke spoke to exempt organization practitioners about IRS Form 990, the key reporting form for charities.
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06/10/2013
Tax-Exempt Organizations: Ethical Considerations
On June 10, 2013, Michelle M. Huhnke used "ripped from the headlines" examples to illustrate how proactive attention to ethical practices can help charities and their constituents avoid damaging and embarrassing scandal.
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06/10/2013
Tax-Exempt Organizations: Handling Contributions and Tax Deductions
On June 10, 2013, Michelle M. Huhnke discussed charitable giving from the differing perspectives of charities and their donors.
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10/29/2012
Achieving your financial, tax and estate planning goals
Michelle M. Huhnke participated in a panel on achieving your financial, tax and estate planning goals for clients of Morgan Stanley
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05/07/2012
Understanding Tax Procedures to Avoid Problems Later
At a day-seminar on estate administration procedures, Michelle M. Huhnke spoke on federal and state tax issues that arise in estate administration.
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09/16/2011
Ethical Considerations for EO Practitioners
In this ethics speech, Michelle M. Huhnke advised exempt organization practitioners about how to avoid getting caught up in the somtimes tangled relationships between charities, their boards and their donors.
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09/16/2011
Form 990: Key Compliance Points and Disclosure Considerations
Michelle M. Huhnke advised exempt organization practitioners about the IRS's revised Form 990, the key reporting form for charities.
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09/16/2011
Handling Contributions and Tax Deductions
During this 2011 speech, Michelle M. Huhnke discussed charitable giving from the differing perspectives of charities and their donors.
News
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10/01/2019
SFGH Partners Provide Pro Bono Assistance to Illinois Disability Rights Group
SFGH partners recently provided pro bono legal services to ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, previously a project of the Chicago Community Trust, to help it become an independent section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation. Advancing Leadership seeks to foster civic and professional leadership by individuals with disabilities.
Civic & Professional
- Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School, 2009 through 2014
- Chicago Estate Planning Council, 2013 to present; Member, Public Outreach Committee
- Past Chair and Vice Chair, D.C. Bar Taxation Section, Estate Planning Committee: "Best Section Committee," 2005
- Frederick Law Olmsted Society of Riverside, 2012-present
Michelle M. Huhnke's recent or notable engagements and experience includes:
Illinois
District of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
J.D., The George Washington
University, National Law Center,
with honors; Order of the Coif
B.A., Barnard College of Columbia
University, magna cum laude,
Phi Beta Kappa
Honors
Selected by peers as a Leading Lawyer in: Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law (2014-2017)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated, Chicago's Top Rated Lawyers, Trusts and Estates (2012, 2013); 5.0/5.0 Overall Client Rating – Martindale.com