Venable

Venable LLP is a US law firm whose Family Office team acts as a long-term counsel for families preserving, growing and passing on wealth. It describes a concierge approach in which the team is the first point of contact for legal, family and investment-related needs.

The practice covers five areas: structure and governance, tax and private wealth strategy, investments and M&A, risk and enterprise protection, and philanthropy and legacy. Venable says it has one of the largest groups in the US advising on tax exemption and sophisticated philanthropic structures.

Key facts

• Legal name: Venable LLP
• Primary contacts: Sandra K. Newman (Chicago), Charles J. Morton, Jr. (Baltimore), Kevin R. Ghassomian (Los Angeles), Brian J. O'Connor (Baltimore)
• Approach: Concierge model, first point of contact for the family office

What the firm does

• Structure and governance: entity and trust planning, investment committee and board design, internal controls, succession and the family office exemption.
• Tax and private wealth: state and local tax, management fee and profits interest structures, expense deductibility, estate, gift and GST planning and trust decanting.
• Investments, M&A and real estate: direct deals, LP investments, co-investments, joint ventures and development.
• Risk and enterprise protection: litigation, employment, cybersecurity, data privacy, personal security and AI governance.
• Philanthropy and legacy: foundations, donor-advised funds, purpose trusts and hybrid charitable vehicles.

For family offices

Venable suits families who want one firm to sit at the centre of the office, especially those with specialised assets such as art, sports teams, media or intellectual property, or with significant philanthropic ambitions.

Considerations and fit

As a large US firm, it is best suited to US-based families. Legal advice only. Fees are not published.

Frequently asked questions

What does Venable's Family Office team cover?

Structure and governance, tax and private wealth strategy, investments and M&A, risk and enterprise protection including cybersecurity and AI, and philanthropy and legacy.

Does Venable advise on the SEC family office exemption?

Yes. Its governance work includes single-family office structuring and analysis of the family office exemption and related RIA considerations.

Who are Venable's family office contacts?

Sandra K. Newman, Charles J. Morton, Jr., Kevin R. Ghassomian and Brian J. O'Connor.

Sources: venable.com family offices page. Facts checked 21 October 2026.

• Governance and structuring
• Tax and estate planning
• Direct investments and M&A
• Real estate
• Cybersecurity and privacy
• Philanthropic planning

• Concierge first-point-of-contact model
• In-house cybersecurity team
• AI governance advice
• Large tax-exempt and philanthropy group
• Planning for art, sports, media and IP assets

Built for Single Family Office (SFO), Private Wealth Owners / Principals.

Yes