Clients value Shanna’s ability to connect on a personal level. She listens closely, asks thoughtful questions, and takes the time to truly understand each client’s story—because no two lives, families, or legacies are ever the same.
From intricate family business succession to safeguarding assets through creditor-protected trusts, Shanna’s practice spans over a decade of focus on estate planning. She deftly navigates the intricacies of transferring estates while minimizing tax implications.
She focuses on giving clients lasting peace of mind by making sure their estate plan reflects who they are and what they care about. Each plan is tailored to fit the unique details of clients’ lives—whether that means preserving a cherished family cabin or planning for the future of a closely held business. Her approach is both thoughtful and thorough, ensuring that every client has the essential documents in place, including revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, all built around their specific goals and values.
Shanna has a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities that come with running a family business. She works closely with business owners to design and implement estate planning strategies that support smooth transitions across generations—balancing long-term goals with tax efficiency and practical realities. Her guidance goes beyond the legal documents; she helps clients understand the financial and operational impact of their plans, including cash flow, decision-making roles, and other key logistics that keep the business—and the family—on steady ground.
She also supports clients through the complex process of trust and estate administration—both during a person’s lifetime and after their passing. She guides personal representatives and trustees through each step, from valuing and distributing assets to interpreting documents and making important tax decisions. Her experience includes handling gift, estate, and fiduciary income tax returns, as well as navigating the many administrative details that can arise. With a steady and thoughtful approach, Shanna helps ensure that everything is managed with care and in accordance with the client’s wishes.
Recently, Shanna worked with clients on the following:
- Transferred wealth to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner by using a complex, creditor-protected trust and structuring a closely held business to optimize valuation discounts for lack of marketability and lack of control.
- Facilitated family meetings to plan for the next generation’s ownership and management in a closely held business and implemented the plan by preparing business and estate planning documents.
- Served as trustee, funding and administering trusts as part of the firm’s Fiduciary Services Department.
- Oversaw estate and trust administrations for clients, ensuring property and assets are distributed to beneficiaries per the decedent’s expressed wishes.
A native Wisconsinite, Shanna can be found enjoying the beautiful Northwoods by hiking or trail running with her German Shepherd and golfing with her husband. In the wintertime, she likes to stay warm in local yoga studios and in front of her fireplace with a great book.
Clients value Shanna’s ability to connect on a personal level. She listens closely, asks thoughtful questions, and takes the time to truly understand each client’s story—because no two lives, families, or legacies are ever the same.
From intricate family business succession to safeguarding assets through creditor-protected trusts, Shanna’s practice spans over a decade of focus on estate planning. She deftly navigates the intricacies of transferring estates while minimizing tax implications.
She focuses on giving clients lasting peace of mind by making sure their estate plan reflects who they are and what they care about. Each plan is tailored to fit the unique details of clients’ lives—whether that means preserving a cherished family cabin or planning for the future of a closely held business. Her approach is both thoughtful and thorough, ensuring that every client has the essential documents in place, including revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, all built around their specific goals and values.
Shanna has a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities that come with running a family business. She works closely with business owners to design and implement estate planning strategies that support smooth transitions across generations—balancing long-term goals with tax efficiency and practical realities. Her guidance goes beyond the legal documents; she helps clients understand the financial and operational impact of their plans, including cash flow, decision-making roles, and other key logistics that keep the business—and the family—on steady ground.
She also supports clients through the complex process of trust and estate administration—both during a person’s lifetime and after their passing. She guides personal representatives and trustees through each step, from valuing and distributing assets to interpreting documents and making important tax decisions. Her experience includes handling gift, estate, and fiduciary income tax returns, as well as navigating the many administrative details that can arise. With a steady and thoughtful approach, Shanna helps ensure that everything is managed with care and in accordance with the client’s wishes.
Recently, Shanna worked with clients on the following:
- Transferred wealth to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner by using a complex, creditor-protected trust and structuring a closely held business to optimize valuation discounts for lack of marketability and lack of control.
- Facilitated family meetings to plan for the next generation’s ownership and management in a closely held business and implemented the plan by preparing business and estate planning documents.
- Served as trustee, funding and administering trusts as part of the firm’s Fiduciary Services Department.
- Oversaw estate and trust administrations for clients, ensuring property and assets are distributed to beneficiaries per the decedent’s expressed wishes.
A native Wisconsinite, Shanna can be found enjoying the beautiful Northwoods by hiking or trail running with her German Shepherd and golfing with her husband. In the wintertime, she likes to stay warm in local yoga studios and in front of her fireplace with a great book.
Civic Activities
- Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area – High Tea Committee Member (2020–2021)
- Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin – Investment Committee Member (2022–2023)
- Impact100 Greater Wausau – Membership Committee Member (2020–2022); Member (2020–present)
- Junior Achievement of Northcentral Wisconsin, Inc. – Instructor (2014–2015)
- Kids Voting USA of Marathon County, Inc. – Director and Marketing Committee Chair (2012–2014)
- Marathon County Leadership Coalition – Member (2012–2013)
- Monk Botanical Garden – Young Professional Event Committee Member (2017); Capital Campaign Committee Member (2021–2023)
- Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. – Board Member (2021–present); Corporate Secretary (2023–present)
- Stratford High School – Mock Trial Coach (2012–2013)
- United Way of Marathon County
- Board of Directors – Member (2018–2023), Associate Campaign Chair (2019); Campaign Chair (2020); President-Elect (2021); President (2022); Past President (2023)
- Education Impact Team – Member (2019–2021)
- Emerging Leaders – Board Past Chair (2018); Board Chair (2017); Board Vice Chair (2016); Connect Team Member (2012–2019); Member (2012–2022)
- Women United – Board Past Chair (2017); Chair (2016); Vice Chair (2014–2015); Events Committee Member (2013–2019); Power of the Purse Committee Co-Chair (2016); Member (2012–present)
- Discovery Team – Member and iLab Participant (2016–2017)
- LIFE Report Priority Setting Advisory Team – Member (2017)
- Wausau River District, Inc. – Downtown Employee Appreciation Week Committee (2015–2017)
Professional Activities
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel – Fellow (2025–present)
- City of Wausau – Wausome Marketing Campaign Contributor (2018–2020)
- Connexus Credit Union – Board Director (2018–2024); Board Associate (2017–2018); Board Secretary/Treasurer (2021–2024)
- Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce – Business Retention & Expansion Committee Member (2012–2014); Hype Member (2014–2017)
- Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership – Innovative Companies Subcommittee Member (2019–2023)
- Medical College of Wisconsin–Central Wisconsin – Regional Admissions – Advisory Committee Member (2019–2021)
- SQU Insurance Group, LLC, f/k/a Gloron Insurance Group, LLC – Manager (2019–2022); Secretary (2019–2022)
- State Bar of Wisconsin – Wills for Veterans Program Coordinator (2012–2016); Leadership Development Committee, Member (2018–2023); Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) Volunteer (2020–2022); Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Board Member (2021–present)
- University of Minnesota Law School Partners at Work Campaign – Firm Agent (2019–2022)
- University of Wisconsin Law School – Lawyering Skills Course Faculty (2021)
- Wausau Estate Planners Forum – Member (2013–present)
