Like any kid who grew up in New York, Jeff Eisen was an avid sports fan, specifically the Mets, Jets and Knicks. But once he realized the major leagues weren’t an option, Jeff focused on what made his brain tick—facts and figures. Before he knew how to drive, Jeff knew how to get just about anywhere in the New York area. He started doing the New York Times crossword puzzle every day in high school. He represented the University of Pennsylvania in the “College Bowl” national college trivia competition. And he kept room in his brain for batting averages, standings and statistics of every variety. Something about the challenge of trying to fit all of this information together, and the satisfaction in finding the ways to do so, resonated with how his mind processed information.

This passion for piecing together complex facts and figures in a coherent fashion guided Jeff towards professional pursuits of becoming an accountant. As an accounting major at Penn, Jeff did what many young college kids do; he got himself an internship at a CPA firm. Jeff enjoyed the puzzle solving of debits and credits and where all the raw data fit on tax returns. But he realized that figuring out how to plan transactions, instead of documenting the results after the fact, would fulfill him much more in the long term. So Jeff decided it was time for law school.

During his first years as a lawyer, Jeff quickly realized that dealing with individuals and families on their personal trusts and estates matters was the perfect professional environment for him because of the combination of complexity and human element to the work. Jeff considers the best reward when families view him as "the family's lawyer” and the questions he’s asked and problems he’s expected to solve drift beyond tax or trusts & estates issues.

Legal Expertise

Jeffrey Eisen is the co-chair of MSK's Trusts and Estates practice group. Mr. Eisen’s practice is focused on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and the representation of beneficiaries (including charitable organizations) in contested or disputed trusts and estates. Mr. Eisen represents individuals and families in the full range of estate planning, including everything from "basic" estate planning, (wills, living trusts, and powers of attorney), to complex planning to the transfer of wealth while minimizing or eliminating estate tax, gift tax and generation-skipping transfer tax. He counsels beneficiaries and fiduciaries (executors and trustees) regarding the administration of estates and trusts, including the preparation and filing of federal estate tax returns. Mr. Eisen represents individuals and charities as beneficiaries of potentially troubled, disputed and contested estates, working and negotiating to reach a settlement without litigation, but shepherding clients through mediation and litigation of these disputes where necessary. He also counsels individuals and institutions serving as fiduciaries to carry out their duties successfully and without liability to beneficiaries.

Representative Matters

• Transferred a 25% interest in a 9-figure family-owned business without incurring an estate tax or gift tax.
• Creation of estate plans and administration of estates involving unique issues facing actors, athletes, songwriters and others in the entertainment industry.
• Successfully represented numerous estates and individuals in IRS estate and gift tax audits.
• Served as lead outside counsel to a major national charity to protect its interest in complex and disputed estates and trusts.

Honors & Awards

• Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of:
  • Trusts and Estates (2013-2024)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates (2012-2024)
• "Top 5% of lawyers in Southern California," Southern California Super Lawyers (2004-2006, 2008-2019, 2021-2024)
• AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Professional, Business and civic Affiliations

• Professionals Networking Group (1997-present)
• Former member, Executive Committee, Los Angeles County Bar, Trusts and Estates Section, (1997-2000)

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