New Trusts and Estates Section Chair Embarking on Familiar Ground
3.25.2026
Tara Anne Pleat’s previous role as chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section provided her with unique insights that she is aiming to integrate into her new position as chair of the Trusts and Estates Law Section.
Among her goals for the upcoming year is to implement more efficient internal communication practices that will generate a more productive onboarding process for new members.
“As chair, one of my goals is to develop a practical guide to the section, something that clearly outlines each committee, what it does, and its objectives. The idea is to create a resource that lives on our website and can also be shared easily with new members, whether as a PDF or via QR code. I implemented a version of this in a prior leadership role with the Elder Law and Special Needs Section, and I’d like to build on that experience to make it even more useful here.” Pleat said.
There will be ample opportunities for those new members to become involved with the section.
Its spring meeting is May 7 to 9 in Austin where the focus will be on technology and practice management including AI-powered office tools, fiduciary reforms, and emerging ethical duties. Early Bird registration ends April 7.
The section’s fall meeting, which will be held jointly with the Elder Law and Special Needs Section, is scheduled for Sept. 24 and 25 in Saratoga Springs where the new Electronic Wills and Medical Aid in Dying statutes are among the issues on the agenda.
Before that, the association’s largest section is sponsoring four CLE programs geared to its expanding membership.
Pleat credited the new membership model for some of that growth.
“I’ve said this to so many people. Our section, based on the new membership model, is now the New York State Bar Association’s fastest growing section. We picked up close to 1,000 members in the last year alone, which I believe was due to the change in the membership model.”
In fact, the section has surpassed those numbers. Its membership grew 33.1%, going from 4,050 members as of Dec. 31, 2024, to 5,390 a year later.
Pleat said sustaining that growth and addressing a robust legislative calendar are additional section priorities for the upcoming year.
“There’s a lot of legislative changes happening, and that’s going to be where much of our focus is going to be. The New York Electronics Wills Act was signed into law, Medical Aid in Dying was signed, and there’s some banking reform that needs to happen, so we’re focused heavily on that,” Pleat said.
A founding partner of Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC, Pleat is still active on the Elder Law and Special Needs Legislation Committee. She is also the immediate past president of the Special Needs Alliance and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys where she serves on the Special Needs Steering Committee and the Federal Advocacy Committee. She is also an active member of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel where she is the vice-chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Committee and a regent of the College.
