McCarter & English announced today that Jay M. Pabian has joined the firm in Boston as a partner in its Trusts, Estates & Private Clients practice. Pabian brings more than four decades of experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families, and owners of privately held businesses on estate planning, wealth preservation, tax strategies, and business succession planning.
With a background spanning law, accounting, and finance, Pabian helps clients navigate the intersection of their personal wealth, family interests, and business objectives. His practice focuses on developing comprehensive estate plans that preserve wealth, minimize tax exposure, and facilitate the efficient transfer of assets and privately held businesses to future generations.
Pabian has significant experience advising business owners on succession and exit planning, supporting them with evaluating options for transitioning ownership, maximizing business value, and preparing for the next chapter of their personal and professional lives. A former CPA and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), he combines sophisticated tax planning with practical business strategies to address the financial and legal complexities associated with ownership transitions.
“Jay brings an exceptional combination of estate planning, tax, and business experience and will be able to provide clients with actionable paths for both estate planning and business succession plans,” said Timothy M. Ferges, Chair of McCarter’s Trusts, Estates & Private Clients group. “His ability to advise on both the preservation of wealth and the successful transition of privately held businesses complements our existing capabilities and further strengthens our Trusts and Estates practice.”
In addition to estate and gift tax planning, Pabian advises clients on business law, commercial real estate, asset protection, and trust and estate administration. He has extensive experience working with multigenerational family businesses, closely held companies, professional practices, and executives, helping clients align their business and personal financial goals with their long-term estate planning strategies.
“McCarter has a highly regarded national Trusts and Estates practice, and I am excited to join a team with such a strong reputation for sophisticated client service,” said Pabian. “Throughout my career, I have focused on helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate complex financial and legal decisions, particularly when planning for the future of their businesses and the transfer of wealth to the next generation. McCarter provides an outstanding platform to continue that work, collaborate with talented colleagues, and deliver comprehensive solutions to clients.”
Pabian serves on the Leadership Committee of the Exit Planning Institute’s New England Chapter, where he has contributed to initiatives supporting business owners navigating succession and ownership transitions. He has also held numerous leadership positions in professional and civic organizations, including having served as president of the New England Region of the American Association of Attorneys and CPAs, the Jewish National Fund’s New England Region, and the Sharon Rotary Club. Additionally, he served as an adjunct professor at New England School of Law and taught advanced estate planning and estate and gift taxation at Northeastern University School of Law.