Jillian Zacks

Ms. Zacks represents individuals of varying net worth in the preparation of personalized estate plans.  Ms. Zacks has a concentration in special needs planning and provides comprehensive services which may involve preparation of self-funded or third-party funded special needs trusts, powers of attorney or representing individuals seeking to become a guardian of an adult disabled individual.  Ms. Zacks administers estates from death through estate closing, ranging from high net worth clients to insolvent estates.  In addition to her estate planning and administration practice, Ms. Zacks represents both individuals and corporate fiduciaries and beneficiaries in Orphans’ Court matters.

Ms. Zacks is active in the community providing educational seminars to families, professionals and fellow attorneys on such topics as Estate Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Transition to Adulthood for an Individual with a Disability, and ABLE Accounts.  Her dedication to the community extends beyond speaking and assisting families with planning for the future, she is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Arc of Greater Pittsburgh a  past Chair of the Board of Directors of Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh (JFCS). Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of Achieva as Vice Chair and is a member of the Pittsburgh Estate Planning Council.  Due to her efforts and commitment to the autism community, Ms. Zacks was awarded the prestigious Temple Grandin Award by the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania.  Most recently in 2022, she was awarded the Shore-Whitehill Award given by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and JRS to honor volunteers who promote the inclusion of people with disabilities through advocacy and direct service.

Education

• Washington University in St. Louis, A.B. (Political Science and Sociology), 1990
• University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 1993
• Temple University School of Law, Estate Planning Certificate, 1997

 

Honors & Affiliations

• Allegheny County Bar Association – Probate and Trust Law Section, Tax Law Section
• Pennsylvania Bar Association – Past Co-Chair of Statewide Mock Trial Competition (2003-2005)
• Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh
• The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, Current Board Member and Chair of the Board of Directors from 2018-2020
• Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh, Current Board Member and Chair of the Board of Directors from 2019-2021
• Achieva, Current Board Member and Vice Chair
• The Pittsburgh Foundation, Past Member of the Professional Advisory Committee
• Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, Past Board Member
• United Way of Allegheny County 21 & Able, Member of Advisory Committee
• Center for Women, Past Mentor and Volunteer Professional Speaker
• Temple Grandin Award of the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, 2013 Recipient
• Mermelstein Award, 2020 Recipient
• Shore-Whitehill Award, 2022 Recipient