Eric E. Kalnins TEP, J.D., LL.M

Partner
Advanced Planning & Family Office Practice Group
Naples, Florida

Introduction
Presentations
Directorships
Honors & Awards
Publications
News & Information
Affiliations
Blog
Contact

Introduction

Mr. Kalnins practices primarily in the areas of business structuring, tax (domestic and international), estate planning and litigation with regard to each of the foregoing.  He is also experienced in the creation and implementation of advanced estate planning techniques for high net-worth clients including the formation and operation of family limited liability companies and family office structures.

In addition, Mr. Kalnins is actively involved in the firm’s asset protection practice consisting of the planning and implementation of domestic and offshore entities and trusts.  Mr. Kalnins is a licensed attorney in Illinois, Wisconsin, Arizona, Ohio, and Florida, and is also currently a member of the trial bar for the Northern Federal District Court of Illinois and the United States Tax Court.  His litigation experience greatly complements the firm’s tax controversy work at all stages of audit, appeals and Tax Court proceedings.

Mr. Kalnins was chosen to represent his firm at the Family Wealth Alliance’s 40 minus Leadership Summit in Boston, Massachusetts, hosted by State Street Corporation.  That event represented a first for the family office/family wealth industry, acknowledging the significant contributions made by professionals 40 years of age or under from a select number of firms that represented a 360-degree view of the family office industry.

Mr. Kalnins’ experience in each of the aforementioned practice areas has enabled him to proactively identify and capitalize on business and personal planning opportunities for the benefit of firm clients.

Mr. Kalnins obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Augustana College, a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and a Master of Laws in Taxation degree (LL.M. in Tax) from DePaul University College of Law.

He is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Governing Member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, member of the Chicago Yacht Club and past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Federal Taxation Committee.  In addition, Mr. Kalnins was recently appointed as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Latvia.

 

Presentations

Eric Kalnins served as a panelist for a presentation on “Estate Planning, Taxation & Wealth Protection” at the Geneva Consulting Group 2022 Naples Family Office & Wealth Management Symposium, to be held in Naples, Florida (May 17, 2022).

Eric Kalnins served as the panel moderator for the presentation on “European Technology Startups,” at the annual Spotlight Latvia event in Los Angeles, CA. Spotlight Latvia Los Angeles is a business conference, organized by the Latvian American Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry of Latvia, the Latvian Investment and Development Agency, the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia and the American Latvian Association (April 1, 2022).

Business and Tax Aspects Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Latvian American Chamber of Commerce Virtual Lunch (March 31, 2020). (Watch here)

Eric Kalnins talked taxes on Chicago’s Jen Weigel show on WLS AM 890 on March 20th (Listen here)

Discussion on Taxes. Wisconsin Association of Accountants Annual Tax Conference in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (July 30-31, 2018).

What a European Company Should Know About Doing Business in the United States. World Latvian Economics & Innovations Forum in Eastern Europe (June 28, 2018).

Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies – What Are They and What Are the Tax Consequences.  Chicago Bar Association (April 25, 2018).

The Impact of Tax Changes to CRE & What to Expect in 2018. Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors (February 27, 2018).

What a European Company Should Know About Doing Business in the United States. Spotlight Latvia Economic Forum (October 27, 2017).

Structures of a Family Office. Ernst & Young Family Office Event (May 23, 2017).

Using Entities in Asset Protection Plans. National Business Institute CLE course Pass-Through Entities in Estate Planning. National webcast (July 23, 2015).

The Role and Duties of the Estate Representative in Probate Matters. National Business Institute in Lisle, Illinois (June 24, 2013).

Ethical Considerations and Fraudulent Transfers. Cutting-Edge Asset Protection Skills and Techniques seminar sponsored by National Business Institute in Chicago, Illinois (March 19, 2012).

Benefits and Advantages of Possessing an LL.M. Degree in the Legal Profession. DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois (October 29, 2010).

Fiduciary Responsibility: Helping to Avoid FraudCredit Suisse and Foundation Source in Chicago, Illinois (June 30, 2009).

Directorships

• Chair, Chicago Bar Association Tax Committee
• Chair, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Governing Member Engagement Committee
• Director, Latvian-American Chamber of Commerce
• Past member of Executive Committee of Archdiocesan Pastoral Council

Honors & Awards

  • Leading Lawyer—Tax Law: Individual Trust and Will & Estate Planning Law – 2023
  • Leading Lawyers – 2020
  • Finance Monthly Global Awards – Contentious Trusts & Estates Solicitor of the Year, 2018
  • Awarded Rural family, business and agriculture – Solicitor of the Year – USA: Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards, 2017
  • Leading Lawyers (IL) – Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law 2015 – Present
  • Family Wealth Alliance’s 40 minus Leadership Summit, 2009

Publications

Eric E. Kalnins. “The Line is Becoming More Blurred.” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. April 27, 2011.

Eric E. Kalnins. “Offshore Planning: What Does the U.S. Have Against Foreign Countries?” Chicago Bar Association’s CBA Record Magazine. June/July 2010.

Eric E. Kalnins. What Do We Have Against Foreign Countries? Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. June 18, 2010.

Eric E. Kalnins. “Fiduciary Responsibility: Helping to Avoid Fraud.” (2009).

News & Information

Eric E. Kalnins. Highlighted in the Augustana College Class Notes. October 2, 2022.

Eric E. Kalnins. Highlighted in the Naples Florida Weekly’s “On the Move” section. September 22, 2022.


Partner Eric Kalnins had the honor of meeting Latvian President Egils Levits and First Lady Andra during Honorary Consul meetings in Riga, Latvia in July 2022.

 

 

 


Handler Thayer, LLP celebrated the opening of its new office in Naples, Florida on April 11, 2022. It was an evening of great conversations, including a family office forum and a panel moderated by Handler Thayer partner Eric Kalnins. The panel included insights from Paul J. Carbone, president and managing partner, Pritzker Private Capital, Barb Quasius, CPA, MBA, senior lead client advisor, Meristem Family Wealth, Todd S. Rich, co-founder and head of Real Estate, Declaration Partners LP and Meeta Yadava, CFP®, managing director, BMO Family Office. Mr. David M. Rubenstein of Declaration Partners LP and co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group was the featured keynote speaker.

 


Eric E. Kalnins. Quoted in the Chicago Sun Times article “Who Owns Henry Darger’s Artwork and Writings? Cook County Judge Wants More Information from Potential Relatives.” February 23, 2022

Eric E. Kalnins. Mentioned in The New York Times article “A Henry Darger Dispute: Who Inherits the Rights to a Loner’s Genius?” February 7, 2022.

Eric E. Kalnins. Quoted in the February 2016 DepositAccounts.com article Are You Keeping Secrets from Uncle Sam Overseas?, by Sheryl Nance-Nash.

Eric E. Kalnins. Quoted in article entitled, “Do You Have the Right Structure In Place?” Inc. Magazine. June 2011.

Eric E. Kalnins. Quoted in article entitled, “Avoid Pitfalls When Using Independent Contractors.” Inc. Magazine. December 2010.

Eric E. Kalnins. Quoted extensively in an article entitled, “Borderline: Practicing Across the Illinois Line.” Chicago Lawyer Magazine. May 27, 2010.

 

Affiliations

Member, State Bar of Illinois
Member, General Bar for the Northern District Court of Illinois
Member, United States Tax Court
Member, State Bar of Arizona
Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
Member, Chicago Bar Association
Member, American Welfare Benefit Plan Association
Member, Chicago Yacht Club
Member, Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Overture Council
Governing Member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Contact Information

Phone: (312) 641-2100
Email: ekalnins@handlerthayer.com
VCard

Chicago Office

191 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 2300

Chicago, Illinois 60606-1633

Naples Office

3050 North Horseshoe Drive, Ste. 154

Naples, Florida 34104-7911

Telephone: (312) 641-2100

Chicago Office

191 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 2300

Chicago, Illinois 60606-1633

 

Naples Office

3050 North Horseshoe Drive, Ste. 154

Naples, Florida 34104-7911

Telephone: (312) 641-2100