Lisa M. Cukier

Partner | Chair, Fiduciary Litigation | Co-Chair, Private Client

overview

Lisa Cukier is a partner and co-chair of the Private Client Group and Chair of the Fiduciary Litigation Group. With a practice split among complex trust and estate litigation, service as a trustee and conservator, and sophisticated high-asset family law matters and family business disputes, Lisa is considered one of the most tactical, strategic, passionate, and creative attorneys in her field. Additionally, Lisa has a niche practice in matters impacted by diminishing capacity, such as undue influence and financial exploitation controversies and guardianship and conservatorship strategic intervention matters.

Lisa has earned a reputation as an attorney to whom other attorneys often refer their highly complicated, sophisticated or “unresolvable” cases. She serves as trustee and guardian and conservator for her clients upon request, orchestrating high-touch concierge-level service to clients who wish to have her personal oversight of their life affairs. She also acts as a private adjudicator for creative resolution of challenging custody and guardianship and trust disputes. 

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education

J.D., Suffolk University Law School

B.A., Northeastern University

admissions

Massachusetts

Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts

U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

honors & awards

Lawdragon 500: Leading Family Lawyer (2024)

Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Family Law (2022-2023)

AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

The Best Lawyers in America© Best Lawyer, Family Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates (2010-2024)

Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2005-2023)

Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Divorce and Family Law (2021 and 2022)

Named to the 2019 “Top Women of Law” list by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

Named to the 2018 Women Worth Watching® list by Profiles in Diversity Journal

National Law Journal – Divorce, Trusts & Estates Trailblazer (2017)

MBA Community Service Award at the MLGBA Annual Dinner (2006)

Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers, “Woman of Distinction In Law and Public Service” (2005)

memberships

Boston Probate and Estate Planners Forum (Leadership Community 2021-2023)

Women’s Bar Association Women’s Leadership Initiative 2020-2021

Burns & Levinson Executive Committee (2008-2012, 2016-2022)

Boston Bar Association

Massachusetts Bar Association

Massachusetts Family and Probate Inn of Court, Board of Directors

Boston Estate Planning Council (Leadership Committee 2020-2022)

articles

articles

“Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts and “Opportunities” in Divorce,” Massachusetts Law Review, November 2023

“Conservatorship Questions Raised by Britney Spears Case,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, August 2021

“Why Trusts/Estates Lawyers Need to Know Divorce Law Basics of Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts, and Other Interests,” Co-Presenter, Massachusetts Bar Association Eighth Annual Probate Law Conference, November 12, 2020

“Facebook: Control of Electronic Data and Social Media Sites When You Are Gone,” Boston Spirit Magazine, November/December 2017

“Leveraging Addiction Recovery in Parents by Use of Guardianship of Minors,” Boston Spirit Magazine, September/October 2017

Contributing author, “Who Takes on Your Death: Your Spouse/Partner or Your Children?” Boston Spirit Magazine, March/April 2017

Author and editor, “Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court,” MCLE eBook, November 2016

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speaking engagements

“A Modern Woman Attorney’s Guide to Legal & Financial Success: Family & Estate Law Tips and Financial Considerations Throughout the Decades”, Presenter, The Women’s Bar Association, February 2024

“Interview with Lisa Cukier, Attorney and Behavioral Health Specialist”, Guest, Mental Health Matters Podcast, January 2024

“Family Law Year in Review (2023)”, Speaker, Social Law Library, January 2024

“Midlife Wealthy Divorce and Blended Next Families”, Speaker, FSP Institute, January 2024

“Probate and Family Court’s Fiduciary Litigation Session Year-in-Review”, Speaker, Social Law Library, January 2024

“Strategic Management of Multi-Practice Area & Multi-Court Law Practices”, Chair, MCLE New England, November 2023

“Important Planning Considerations for Clients in the Midst of Divorce”, Speaker, Worthy Circles, November 2023

“Tax Issues in Choice of Entity & Succession Planning”, Chair, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. Program, October 2023

“The Strategic Intersections of Guardianship & Divorce”, Speaker, Greater Newburyport Bar Association, October 2023

Panelist, Massachusetts Bar Association & Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Training Program, October 2023

“Addressing Crises in Family Situations”, Speaker, O’Connor Professional Group Program: “Remaining a Trusted Confidant When Families Need You Most: A Symposium of Legal, Financial, and Clinical Experts”, September 2023

“Ready to Thrive: Taking Care of Your Family and Yourself”, Speaker, 7th Annual MetroWest Conference for Women, September 2023

“The Intersection of Divorce and Estate Planning”, Webinar Speaker, Cerity Partners Webinar, July 2023

“Family Trusts in a Divorce”, Webcast Speaker, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., May 2023

“Blended Family Strife – Adult Children Versus Stepparent,” Panelist, Social Law Library Family Law Fiduciary Litigation & Trusts & Estates Series, November 2022

“Guardianships and Conservatorships in Blended Families,” Panelist, Massachusetts Bar Association 10th Annual Probate Law Conference, November 2022

“The Many Faces of Elder Abuse: What to Do When You Suspect Abuse,” Panelist, 2022 ABA Senior Lawyers Division Fall Meeting, October 2022

“Fiduciary & Trust Account Dreams & Nightmares,” Panelist, MCLE New England, October 2022

“Elder Law and Elder Financial Exploitation and Undue Influence Matters,” Panelist, Florida Bar Association Elder Law Section Annual Retreat, September 2022

“Pre-Nuptial and Decanting as Tools to Protect Inheritance Expectations,” Panelist, Social Law Library Family Law, Fiduciary Litigation and Trusts & Estates Series, September 2022

“The Perils of Late Life Romance,” Panelist, Greater Newburyport Bar Association, June 2022

“Family Trusts in a Divorce,” Panelist, MCLE New England Workshop, May 2022

“Checklist for Family Business Succession Planning,” Panelist, MCLE webcast, February 2022

“First Annual Divorce and Fiduciary Litigation Case Law Year in Review,” Panelist, Social Law Library, January 2022

“Mid-Life Wealthy Divorce,” Speaker, New Hampshire Estate Planning Council, November 2021

“Remote Depositions During the Pandemic,” Panelist, Massachusetts Bar Association’s 9th Annual Probate Conference, November 2021

“Financial Exploitation & Undue Influence by Romantic Partners, Adult Children, Paid Caregivers & Neighbors,” Speaker, MCLE New England, September 2021

“Dissecting Nuanced Trust Issues,” Speaker, Greater Newburyport Bar Association, September 2021

“Money Management Implications for Those Who Meet Later in Life,” Guest Speaker, Radio Entrepreneurs, July 2021

“LGBTQ Estate Planning,” Presenter, The Harvest Group, June 2021

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