Maria L. Bourdeau

Partner Trusts & Estates

Practices

Overview

Maria Bourdeau is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Maria focuses her practice on sophisticated estate and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and families. She also advises clients on family wealth preservation, business succession planning, estate and trust administration, and charitable planning.

Thought Leadership

Speaking Engagements

Co-Presenter, “Remainder Purchase Marital (“RPM”) Trusts: A Novel Alternative for Significant Wealth Transfer Strategies,” Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute, November 6, 2025

Presenter, “Estate Planning Misfires of the Rich and Famous 2025,” New York City Bar Association, July 16, 2025

Presenter, “Estate Planning in Today’s Dynamic Market Environment,” Webinar, February 6, 2024

Publications

Co-Author, “The RPM Trust Returns: Explanation and Analysis of the Remainder Purchase Marital Trust,” Notre Dame Tax and Estate Planning Institute

Co-Author, “Succeeding at the Pass: Succession Planning Strategies for Family Businesses,” New York Law Journal, September 10, 2023

Contributor, “The Complete Estate Planning Sourcebook,” Wolters Kluwer

Recognition

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Mary Moers Wenig Student Writing Competition, Third Place Prize, "The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth with a Stepped-Up Basis"

Memberships & Affiliations

ACTEC, Mid-Atlantic Fellows Institute Graduate, Class IV

New York City Bar Association, Estate and Gift Tax Committee

Middlebury Alumni Association, New York City Chapter

Deerfield Club of New York

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

2022New York
2021Connecticut
2020Florida
2018Texas
2017Massachusetts

Education

New York University School of LawLL.M., Taxation2020
Dean's Graduate Scholar
Notre Dame Law SchoolJ.D.cum laude2017
Edward J. Kelly Memorial Prize in Elder Law
Middlebury CollegeB.A., American Studiescum laude2012

Departmental Honors

Captain, Women's Ice Hockey Team