Sam K. Hildebrand

Partner, Austin
512.236.2064
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Biography

For more than 35 years, Sam K. Hildebrand has helped clients protect their wealth, minimize their estate, gift, and income tax exposure, and convey their wealth to their families and charities in a wise and thoughtful manner. Sam emphasizes establishing strong, long-term working relationships with his clients and their professional advisors.

A significant part of Sam’s practice is his work with wealthy families in developing their family office. This involves establishing the formal structures and educating family members on how to satisfy their family goals, including securing the family wealth for themselves and future generations and adhering to their charitable desires.

Sam assists family members and professional fiduciaries with the estate and trust administration process after a death has occurred. While much of this work involves the careful and efficient transfer of property to the intended beneficiaries, Sam also assists with contested probate and fiduciary matters.

Education

A.A., Schreiner University
B.B.A., with highest honors, University of Texas at Austin
J.D., University of Texas School of Law

Bar Admissions

Texas

Court Admissions

United States Tax Court

Professional Certifications

Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate / Tax
Fellow, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
Certified Public Accountant (Retired)

Sam represents a wide range of clients, including entrepreneurs, business owners, corporate executives, oil, gas, and mineral owners, farmers, ranchers, entertainers, artists, doctors, professors, athletes, and philanthropists.

His practice encompasses the full breadth of wealth planning and probate, including:

  • Preparation of will and trusts
  • Estate, gift, and income tax minimization
  • Protection against unforeseen claims
  • Charitable planning
  • International estate planning
  • Premarital and marital property agreements
  • Employment agreements
  • Business creation and ownership
  • Planning for potential mental incapacity
  • Estate and trust administration
  • Will contests and fiduciary litigation

  • The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2006-2025
    • Lawyer of the Year – Austin, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, 2022
    • Lawyer of the Year – Austin, Trusts and Estates, 2020
    • Litigation – Trusts and Estates, 2011-2025
    • Trusts and Estates, 2006-2025
  • Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2024
  • “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Wills, Estates, and Probate, Austin Monthly, 2021

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
  • Estate Planning Council of Central Texas, Former President
  • State Bar of Texas – Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
    • Trust Code Committee, 2002-2004
    • Decedent’s Estate Committee, 2015-Present
  • Austin Bar Association – Estate Planning and Probate Section, Former Board Member
  • National Committee of Planned Giving – Central Texas Chapter, Former President
  • University of Texas at Austin’s Planned Giving Advisory Council, Member & Former Co-Chair
  • Equality Texas, Board Member
  • Austin Parks Foundation, Board Member

Texas Super Lawyers 2024

September 17, 2024
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2024

Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

Best Lawyers 2025 edition graphic - 306 attorneys recognized, 81 specialty areas, 75 Ones to Watch, and 9 Lawyers of the Year

August 15, 2024
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

March 28, 2024
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Welcomes Trusts & Estates Experts Heidi Angel and Harry Wolff III

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of partners Heidi Angel and Harry Wolff III to the Trusts & Estates practice group.

Flags flying at the Texas Capitol

September 19, 2023
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

USA flags

August 17, 2023
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

City of Austin, Texas with Jackson Walker logo

February 9, 2023
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Expands Trusts & Estates Group With Addition of Tara Potts

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of Tara A. Potts as a partner in the Trusts & Estates practice. Joining from a small transactional law firm in Austin, Tara concentrates her practice in the area of tax-exempt organizations.

September 21, 2022
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

August 18, 2022
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

Skyline of the city of Houston

January 10, 2022
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Welcomes Wealth Planning and Fiduciary Litigation Group to Houston

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the arrival of five Houston litigators focused on probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation. The team is led by Sarah Patel Pacheco and includes Kathleen Tanner Beduze, Joshua R. Flores, Joe R. Savoie, and Jocelyn Thibodaux Slater.

September 22, 2021
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 57 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2021

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

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