Erin Albanese

Erin’s practice focuses on business law, estate planning, and nonprofit law, with over two decades’ experience in corporate finance and securities, startups, mergers & acquisitions, technology transactions, and business succession planning. She regularly advises nonprofit organizations of all sizes. Her business background gives her a practical perspective on estate planning, particularly for business owners who want their company and their family’s long-term goals to be addressed together.

General Business, Transactions, and Financing Growth

Erin’s corporate practice includes advising companies in business formations, transactions (including reorganizations, mergers, acquisitions, and asset sales), executive compensation matters (including stock and other incentive compensation), private fund formation, and shareholder agreements.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Erin represents buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions ranging from the purchase or sale of small businesses to complex technology and specialized industry transactions. She provides transaction structure, financing, and risk minimization advice, document preparation and negotiation, due diligence, and schedule preparation.

Corporate Finance and Securities

Erin assists clients with private placement securities offerings, including start-up financings and real estate loan syndications. She drafts Regulation D and other private placement offering materials and corresponding investment documents, identifies applicable federal and state “blue sky” law exemptions, and prepares required securities and compliance filings.

Nonprofit Formation and Compliance

Erin helps founders, boards, and community leaders form nonprofit organizations and keep them on solid footing. She prepares articles of incorporation, bylaws, and governance policies, and she guides organizations through applying for federal tax-exempt status and completing state registrations. For established nonprofits, she advises on board governance, conflicts of interest, charitable solicitation and reporting requirements, and other ongoing compliance obligations. She also handles transactions and contracts that arise as organizations grow.

Estate Planning: Customized Plans for Individuals, Families, and Business Owners

Erin builds each estate plan around the client’s own circumstances, values, and objectives, with an emphasis on plans that are easy for the client to understand and for their family to administer. She takes time to learn about each client’s assets and goals, then develops strategies to protect those assets, reduce estate and transfer taxes, carry out intended gifts, and lower the risk of disputes among heirs. She advises clients on whether a trust makes sense for them and, if so, how it should be structured. For business owners, Erin coordinates estate planning with business succession planning so that ownership transitions and family wealth transfers work together.

Planning for Incapacity

Erin helps clients prepare for the unexpected with health care directives (living wills) and durable powers of attorney for financial and health care decisions.

Probate and Estate & Trust Administration

Erin guides personal representatives and trustees through their fiduciary responsibilities, including required filings, payment of creditors, and distribution of assets under a will, a trust, or Washington’s intestacy laws. When an existing estate plan or trust no longer fits a family’s changed circumstances, she helps heirs and beneficiaries reach practical, mutually agreeable solutions.

Outside General Counsel

Many of Erin’s clients rely on her as their outside general counsel. She serves as a trusted advisor to families, closely held companies, and nonprofit organizations, providing practical guidance on day-to-day legal questions and longer-term planning. Because her practice spans business, nonprofit, and estate planning law, she can see how a decision in one area affects the others. When a matter calls for specialized expertise, she coordinates with colleagues across the firm, so clients have a single point of contact for their legal needs.

Personal

Outside of the office, Erin enjoys creative writing, traveling with her family, exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest, playing guitar, and learning to golf.