“I work hard with the clients to select the appropriate course of action, be it negotiation, mediation, or litigation, and then work hard to accomplish the client’s goals. It is a team effort.”
Bar Admissions
Massachusetts
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
U.S. Supreme Court of Massachusetts
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Tax Court
Education
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law, 1977
A.B., Brown University, 1974
Brian Bixby co-chairs the firm's Private Client group, chairs the Probate Litigation group, and is a member of the Trusts & Estates and Divorce & Family Law groups. He concentrates his practice on all aspects of estate planning, fiduciary administration, probate court litigation, appeals, family law, guardianships and conservatorships, and representation of individuals and fiduciaries.
Honors & AwardsHonors & Awards
AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) - Accredited Estate Planner designee (2018)
The Best Lawyers in America©, Family Law, Litigation - Trusts & Estates, and Trusts & Estates (2010-2019)
National Law Journal - Litigation Trailblazer (2016)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004-2015, 2018)
Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004)
Memberships
American Bar Association
- Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Fiduciary Litigation Committee Fellow (2007-present)
Boston Bar Association
Boston Estate Planning Council
Boston Probate Forum
- Steering Committee (2007-2010)
Family Firm Institute
- New England Chapter - Board Member
Massachusetts Bar Association
- Eco-Challenge Task Force (2017-2018)
- Probate Law Section Council
- Energy and Environment Task Force (2007-present)
- Probate Litigation Practice Group
- Taxation Law Section Council - Past Chair (2007-2009)
- Fee Arbitration Board Committee
Massachusetts Family and Probate Inn of Court
- Past President (2007-2008)
Visiting Nurses Association of Boston Foundation, VNA Care Network Foundation and VNA Private Care, Inc.
Speaking Engagements
"Charging and Defending Trustee Fees in Massachusetts: What is Reasonable?" Speaker, Boston Bar Association Program, December 2018
"Probate and Trust Litigation Involving Pre-Nupital, Post-Nupital, and Separation Agreements," Panelist, MBA 6th Annual Probate Law Conference, November 2018
"Equity Actions: Determining Ownership Recovery of Assets," Faculty, Massachusetts Bar Association CLE Program, May 2017
"Fiduciary Removal: When to Get the Broom," Presenter, Massachusetts Family and Probate American Inn of Court Presentation, March 2017
"Equity Actions to Determine Ownership, Recover Assets," Speaker, Fourth Annual Probate Law Conference, November 2016
"Disinheriting Heirs or Advising Disinherited Heirs," Moderator, Boston Estate Planning Council June Member Round Table Breakfast, June 2014
"Fiduciary Litigation," Panelist, MCLE Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court, May 2014
"Estate Planning and Divorce," Faculty, MCLE When Estate Planning and Divorce Collide, July 2013
"Estate Planning: The Cornerstone of a Successful Family Business Succession," Panelist, Northeastern University Executive Education Breakfast Program, November 2011
"The New MUPC for Paralegals," Faculty, MCLE Seminar, September 2011
Articles & Publications
Articles
"Litigating Will Contests," MCLE Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court, November 2016
"Basic Estate Planning for Divorce Lawyers," MCLE Divorce Law Practice Manual, September 2016
"Will Contests, Compromises, and Practical Steps to Avoid Litigation," MCLE Massachusetts Probate Manual, July 2016
"Having an Estate Plan in Place Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving," Boston Business Journal, December 2013
Features
"Litigation Trailblazers: Brian D. Bixby," National Law Journal, December 2016
Quotes
"Man rescued at sea is said to have killed mom, grandpa for inheritance," The Boston Globe, July 2017
"Suffolk Probate Court has 'serious deficiencies'," The Boston Globe, February 2017
"Wrongful Death Suit Against Aaron Hernandez to Go Forward," The Boston Globe, April 2015
"Estate and Succession Planning," MYOB Radio, March 2012
