W. Donald Sparks, II

W. Donald Sparks II represents large banks and trust companies and high net worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning and fiduciary matters. Head of the firm’s Tax Group, he specializes in trusts and estates, focusing primarily on estate planning, estate administration, tax-exempt organizations and fiduciary litigation.

Don has held numerous leadership roles in the local and national bar as well as in a variety of professional organizations. He has frequently appeared as a speaker and has written numerous articles concerning estates, trusts and related topics. In law school, Don served as a senior editor of the Yale Law Journal.

Representative Experience

• Significant fiduciary litigation involving trust construction, will interpretation and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
• Representation of large banks and trust companies on fiduciary matters
• Representation of high net worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning matters
• Significant IRS Audit and Controversy work
• Representation of significant tax exempt public charities and private foundations

Professional and Community Activities

• Estate Planning Council of Delaware, Inc., Past Chair
• Delaware State Bar Association, Tax Section, Past Chair 
• Delaware State Bar Association, Estates and Trusts Section, Past Chair
• American Bar Association, Litigation and Intellectual Property Sections 
• Wilmington Tax Group

Professional Recognition

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow and State Chair
• The Best Lawyers in America 
• Super Lawyers
• Worth magazine’s top 100 attorneys in the country
• Delaware Today, "Top Lawyer"
• Lawdragon