NORTHERN VIRGINIA ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

As clients move beyond simple wealth transfer toward "legacy locking," the traditional succession toolkit is being disrupted. For the estate planning professional, the Purpose Trust represents a sophisticated frontier; a way to dismantle the "sell-out vs. hand-down" binary. This presentation provides a deep dive into the legal mechanics of Steward-Ownership, offering you the technical blueprint to build businesses that are legally bound to their mission, making them both unbuyable and unbreakable for generations to come.

Join us as we explore: 

• Why "purpose" is the new beneficiary, understanding how purpose trusts diverge from traditional estate planning.
• Why the decoupling of power and profit is the most resilient strategy for business succession.
• Strategic forum shopping and the high stakes of selecting the right governing jurisdiction.
• Designing a governance structure for the modern age (including the cutting-edge integration of AGI).
• Navigating the fiscal realities and tax implications of shifting to a purpose-driven model.
• A comparative look at the other structures that compete with purpose trusts.
• Proven methods for successfully creating and funding your purpose trust.
• How to meet funding requirements, resolve internal conflicts, and stay agile when circumstances shift.
• Examining the debate over whether purpose trusts require more oversight.

Ellen K. Harrison advises clients on a broad range of tax issues, including estate planning and administration, tax controversies, and income, gift and estate tax planning for individuals, businesses and charitable organizations. She has significant experience drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, prenuptial arrangements and buy-sell agreements, as well as a broad range of corporate documents and family partnership agreements. Her tax controversy and litigation experience includes Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audits, IRS appeals, refund claims and US Tax Court litigation.

Previously, Ellen was an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law Center.

Ellen has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates, 1995-2026; Best of the Best USA; Chambers High Net Worth, Band 1 in District of Columbia: Private Wealth Law and USA Nationwide: Private Wealth Law, Eastern Region, 2016-2025; Washingtonian, Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2023-2024; Citywealth Leaders List, 2018; Guide to the World's Leading Trust & Estates Lawyers; PLC Which Lawyer; and Super Lawyers.  She graduated with a BA from University of Michigan and earned her JD from Harvard Law School.

Thank you to our event sponsor, Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.

Thank you to our 2026 annual sponsors, Commonwealth Savers and PNC Private Bank:

Registration for this event will close at noon (12PM) ET on Friday, May 1, 2026. 

REQUEST: Should you need to cancel your registration, please email nvepc@ascent-management.com before registration closes.  NVEPC provides food and beverages at events based on registration numbers.  In order to keep costs down for our members, we request that you cancel your registration if you find you are unable to attend.

Registration fees are non-refundable.