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Robert B. Labe

Partner
  • p. 248.642.0333 ext. 338
  • Email

Overview

Robert Labe’s trusts and estates and business law practice is among the most highly regarded in the state. Robert possesses extensive experience in estate planning, estate and trust administration, contested estate and trust matters, business law, business succession planning and tax planning.

Robert is a frequent lecturer and prolific author. He speaks at seminars before legal and professional groups, including as a lecturer at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University of Michigan, the State Bar of Michigan, the National Business Institute, and MICPA where he instructs attorneys and certified public accountants. 

Frequently honored for achievement by clients, peers, and ranking organizations, Robert appears in “The Best Lawyers in America” (Woodward/White), has been selected annually since 2009 by Thomson Reuters as a “Michigan Super Lawyer” (a designation reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in Michigan) and has received the highest designation by Martindale-Hubbel AV Preeminent since 1994.

Professional Affiliations

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • American Bar Association
  • Oakland County Bar Association
    • Business Law Committee, Former Chair
    • Probate, Estate & Trust Law Committee, Former Chair

Community/Civic Activities

  • University of Michigan, Institute of Continuing Legal Education
    • Business Law Advisory Board Member
  • Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit
    • Director
  • Probate & Estate Planning Council State Bar of Michigan
    • Council Member
  • Oakland County Bar Foundation
    • Past Member Board of Directors
  • Walsh College, Graduate Tax Program
    • Former, Adjunct Professor

Honors & Awards

  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Less than 1% of all lawyers are selected to be Fellows
  • Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
    • Member, Fiduciary Administration Task Force
  • “The Best Lawyers in America©"(2016 to present)
    • Selected by Woodward/White, Inc.
  • Michigan “SuperLawyers,” (2009 to present)
    • Selected by Thomson Reuters Corporation
  • AV® “Preeminent”™ Lawyer (1994 to present)
    • Ranked by Martindale-Hubbell through peer review
  • “Leading Lawyers in Michigan,” since inception
    • Selected by Chicago Law Bulletin
  • DBusiness Top Lawyers
  • Who’s Who in American Law
  • Who’s Who in America

Admissions

  • Michigan, 1984

Experience

Representative Matters

Robert’s significant experience includes assisting

  • Individuals and families on their estate planning and personal planning
  • Owners of closely-held and family businesses
  • Corporations and Limited Liability Companies
  • Individual and professional fiduciaries
  • Family businesses on succession planning
  • Fiduciaries or beneficiaries in contested trust and estate matters
  • Successfully negotiating with the Internal Revenue Service on tax audits and IRS appeals

News & Insights

Articles & Publications

  • “Planning for the Family Business Pre- and Post-Death”, 56th Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute, Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University of Michigan, and State Bar of Michigan, May 14, 2016
  • “Holding a Business Interest in Trust,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University of Michigan, September 30, 2015
  • “Drafting an Estate Plan for the Business Owner Top Tips,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University of Michigan, July 2015
  • “ILITs and Other Irrevocable Trusts” National Teleconference sponsored by the National Business Institute, December 20, 2013
  • “What’s New in Estate and Gift Tax Law,” State Bar of Michigan 9th Annual Elder Law & Disability Section Conference, March 2011
  • “Considerations in Planning for the Incapacitated and Terminally Ill Client,” Michigan Financial Planners Association Annual Symposium, November 2009
  • “2009 Tax Legislation’s Impact on Your Clients Opportunities and Pitfalls,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, University of Michigan, and State Bar of Michigan, September 2009
  • “Buy-Sell Agreements for the Closely Held Business,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, University of Michigan, November 2006
  • “Business Planning and Estate Planning after the 2001 Tax Act,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, University of Michigan, 2004

Practices ›

Education ›

Education

  • Boston University School of Law, LL.M., Tax Law 1985
  • Wayne State University, J.D., 1984
  • Michigan State University, B.A,  1981, with high honors