Akane R. Suzuki
- Bellevue
- Seattle
Akane assists clients in a broad range of matters, including wills, powers of attorney, and complex gifting strategies that may involve trusts, business succession, and charitable giving.
Akane R. Suzuki's practice encompasses sophisticated estate planning, probate/trust administration, international estate planning, and related tax matters.
Akane represents business owners, executives, young entrepreneurs, retirees, and beneficiaries of dynasty trusts. She focuses on understanding the client and the clients' priorities in order to create an estate plan that preserves family businesses and legacies. Her work is so valued that clients frequently seek her counsel on issues outside of her practice area. Chambers USA called her, "internationally respected" and the "premier international attorney in the state."
Akane is well-known locally, nationally, and internationally for her cross-border estate planning, particularly involving Canada and Japan, as well as other countries. As a native Japanese speaker, she has an in-depth knowledge of U.S.-Japanese plans and is the editor of a Japanese-language book on cross-border estate plans.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- New York University School of Law, LL.M., Taxation, 2000
- University of Washington School of Law, J.D., with honors, Executive Editor of Notes and Comments, Washington Law Review, 1999
- Lewis & Clark, B.A., East Asian Studies, with honors, 1995
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
Professional Recognition
Listed in Chambers High Net Worth (Washington) Leading Individual, Private Wealth Law, 2016-2024
Perkins Coie Washington practice ranked Band 1, in Private Wealth Law by Chambers High Net Worth (HNW), 2016-2024
Listed in Chambers High Net Worth Foreign Expert for Japan based in the USA, 2018-2024
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Tax Law; Trusts and Estates, 2011-2025
Listed in Chambers Global Guide, International Private Client, 2020
Listed in Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year," Trust and Estates, 2016, 2018, 2024
Listed in Washington Super Lawyers list, Top 50 Women Lawyers, 2010-2023
Listed in Washington Super Lawyers list, Top 100 Lawyers 2012-2023
Named a Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers, 2003-2006, 2009
Listed in Puget Sound Business Journal's "Forty Under 40," 2009
Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2012
*Peer Review Rated AV® in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American College of Trust and Estates Counsel, Fellow, and Chair for Washington; International Estate Planning Committee, Member
- International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, Academician
- Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Executive Committee Member, 2012-2014
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Seattle Branch Co-Founder
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Executive Committee Member, 2010-2012; Tax Section, Member
- Washington Women in Tax, Member
Community Involvement
- Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, Member
- Japan Business Association of Seattle, Board Member, 2009-2010, 2015-2016
- Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle (MAMA Seattle), Founding Board Member, 2007-2013
- Nichibei Women's Network, Member
Insights
