Christine Rew Barden is a shareholder in the firm's Trusts and Estates Practice. Christine's clients include public charities, private foundations, individuals and families. Christine's personal and thoughtful manner with her clients enables her to get to the heart of their goals and concerns so she can work with them to formulate creative, targeted solutions. Unlike most attorneys in this busy age, Christine takes the time with her clients to explain, in plain English, the details of the plan or strategy adopted. Clients leave Christine's office understanding not only their plan, but also how it will play out within the context of their own family situation.

Christine also specializes in intra-family transfers of vacation homes and cottages. Many of her clients, both in Illinois and Wisconsin, have worked with Christine to create a customized framework for ensuring their vacation home remains in the family for as many generations as possible.

Representative Matters and Experience

Practiced law in Chicago, during which time she served as legal counsel and Corporate Secretary of Wrigley Management Inc., the private trust office of a prominent Chicago family 
Assisted business office in saving businesses by utilizing leveraging strategy, thereby allowing time to secure financing at favorable rates while avoiding sale of business
Worked with many surviving spouses and families to resolve post-death conflicts to preserve family wealth and harmony
Estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax issues
• Charitable planning
• Prenuptial agreements
• Fiduciary counsel
• Arizona, Florida and Illinois law consultant

Affiliations/Memberships

• Dane County Bar Association
• State Bar of Wisconsin
• State Bar of Illinois
• State of Wisconsin Judicial Council, State Bar President-Elect
• Wisconsin Bar Board of Governors, District 9 Governor
• Forum for Women Estate Counselors (Madison, Wisconsin)
• Madison Estate Council
• Chicago Trust Law Committee
• Wisconsin Historical Foundation, Planned Giving Committee
• Member Covenant Presbyterian Church
• Chicago Estate Planning Council 
• Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras (pro bono services)
• Wisconsin Council on Children & Families Foundation (pro bono services)