Practice Areas
Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1969
United States Naval Academy, B.S., 1962
Bar and Court Admissions
Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Tax Court
Allan J. Claypool
With the firm since 1969, Allan is a senior member of the Trusts and Estates Practice Group where he provides counsel to clients on:
- Basic and advanced forms of estate, trust and tax planning
- Taxation and fiduciary obligations to fiduciaries of trusts and business entities
- Estate and trust litigation
- Long term business succession and tax planning for large estates
Allan's tremendous knowledge in trust and estates has been long recognized by his peers as he was elected a fellow of the prestigious American Counsel of Trust and Estate Lawyers. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 1982 as well as being included in Michigan Super Lawyers. Hence, he often provides expert witness testimony on matters of estate and trust administration.
Born in Battle Creek Michigan, Allan is a United States Naval Academy alumnus and received his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1969.
Throughout his career, Allan has been active and held key leadership positions in many legal, business and community organizations. His contributions include serving terms as chairman of the Estates and Trusts Committee, Legislative Committee of the Probate and Estate Planning Section for the State Bar of Michigan. He also completed terms as Director and past president of the Ingham County Bar Association. Additionally, Allan is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, a former chairman of the Ingham County Bar Estate and Trusts Committee and a former President and Director of the Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council. He is also a member of the International Bar Association and the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law.
Allan's input has been requested by several statewide and local non-profits too. He is a past member and Chairman of the Michigan Tax Council and a former Director of the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce. Allan’s other activities have included membership in the Rotary Club of Lansing, past Chairperson for the American Red Cross’ Mid-Michigan Chapter and Great Lakes Regional Blood Center, former Director of the Greater Lansing Symphony Association and past Chairman of the Greater Lansing Family Affairs Month Committee.
Highlights & Recognitions
AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America (Trust and Estates, Tax Law)
Michigan Superlawyers (Estate Planning & Probate, Tax)
American College of Trust and Estate Law Counsel, Fellow
Leo Farhat Outstanding Attorney Award, Ingham County Bar Association
News
- 21 Foster Swift Attorneys named to 2011 Michigan Super Lawyers; 4 named Michigan Rising Stars, September 12, 2011
- Five Foster Swift Attorneys named 'Lawyer of the Year', November 1, 2010
- 18 Foster Swift Lawyers Included on 2010 Super Lawyers List, October 28, 2010
- Foster Swift's 2011 Best Lawyers, August 17, 2010
- Nineteen Foster Swift Attorneys Named in 2009 Super Lawyers, September 22, 2009
- Foster Swift Announces 2009 Best Lawyers, August 18, 2009
- Foster Swift Announces 2008 Best Lawyers In America, September 18, 2008
Speaking Engagements
- Estate Planning for the Owner of a Closely Held Business, 1988
- How to Use Family Partnerships in the Estate Plan, 1993
- Current Issues You Need to Know for Estate & Financial Planning, ICLE, 1989
- Tax Planning After the 1990 Budget Act: What Practitioners Should Know, ICLE, 1990
- Administration-Corporations, ICLE, 1978
- Current Tax Developments, ICLE-Michigan Tax Institute, 1985
Publications
- Protecting Your Child’s Inheritance, Foster Swift Estate Planning Insights, Fall 2010
- Hot Issues in Estate Planning Today, Estate Planning Insights, Winter 2009
- Irrevocable Trusts, Michigan Bar Journal, 1974
- Pitfalls of an Irrevocable Trust or the Case of the Divorce Decree Which Accomplished More Than it Intended, Michigan Bar Journal, 1973
- Nonprobate Transfers Under the Estate Settlement Act, Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Journal, Summer 1995
- Asset Protection Overview, ACTEC Notes, 1999
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Ingham County Bar Association, Past President & Director
- International Bar Association
- International Academy of Estate and Trust Law
Industry & Professional Associations:
- Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council, Past President & Director
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Adjunct Professor
Community Involvement:
- American Red Cross, Mid-Michigan Chapter, Former Chairperson
- Greater Lansing Family Affairs Month Committee, Past Chairman
- Greater Lansing Symphony Association, Past Director
- Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, Past Director
