For approximately 25 years, Steven Carr’s practice has focused on the areas of estate planning, the administration of estates and trusts, and business law, working primarily with families, high-net-worth individuals, and privately held businesses. Highly experienced with the technical, sophisticated aspects of estate, business and tax planning, Steve is also skilled at guiding clients through the personal and family dynamics that can influence planning. As a trusted advisor, Steve works to educate his clients on all their options, translating the complicated lexicon of estate and business planning into language they can understand. He prides himself on being accessible to clients.
Steve holds the designation of Accredited Estate Planner (AEP), awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils. This designation recognizes a graduate-level specialization in estate planning. It is awarded to a select group of estate planning professionals who meet stringent requirements of experience, knowledge, education, professional reputation, and character.
When Steve isn’t working with clients, he is most likely participating in a Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC) event or meeting. Having held many roles in the 700-member organization of Greater Boston estate planning professionals, Steve most recently successfully served his term as the President.
Prior to joining Rubin and Rudman, Steve was an equity partner at Pabian & Russell, LLC, a downtown Boston estates, trusts and business boutique law firm. Previously Steve was a Senior Attorney with the Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel, where he litigated numerous United States Tax Court cases, including the published opinions Mourad v. Commissioner, 121 T.C. No. 1 (July 2003), and Simanonok v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2002-66 (March 2002). In addition, Steve served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, representing the IRS in matters before the United States Bankruptcy Court. He also advised and trained Revenue Agents and Revenue Officers with respect to issues of tax laws and IRS procedures. Prior to his service at the Internal Revenue Service, Steve was a Senior Tax Consultant in the Boston office of Deloitte, where he advised clients with respect to issues of income and estate taxation.
Areas of concentration:
- Business, Estate & Gift Tax Planning
- Business Law & Commercial Real Estate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Estate & Trust Administration
Recognition and Awards
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, 2024
- Named, Boston Magazine, Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates Law, 2022-2023
- Selected, Massachusetts Super Lawyers List, 2011-2023
- Recognized, Massachusetts Go To Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2021
- Selected, Massachusetts Rising Stars List, 2008-2010
- Awarded, Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation, the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils
- Listed, Five Star Wealth Managers List, Boston Magazine, 2011-2018
- Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 “Superb,” Avvo.com’s legal review website
Professional and Community Involvement
- Member of the Boston Foundation’s Professional Advisors Committee
- Boston Estate Planning Council
- Former President
- Former Treasurer (two terms)
- Former Member, Board of Directors
- Former Senior Chair, Educational Programming
- Former Chair, Membership/Membership Involvement Committee
- Former Chair, Roundtables Committee
- Member of various committees including Nominations, Estate Planner of the Year Selection, Membership/Member Involvement, Networking, Budget/Finance
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Co-Author, “Good News from the IRS: Relief for Missed Portability Election,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
- Writer, “Incorporating Flexibility into the Estate Planning Process,” The Boston Foundation's Philanthropic Advisor Newsletter
- Co-Author, “The Federal Tax Implications of Choice of Entity,” Starting Up and Advising an Emerging Massachusetts Business, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
- Speaker, “Basic Estate Planning for Accountants and Their Clients,” Boston Tax Institute
- Lecturer, “Estate and Gift Taxation,” Northeastern University Masters in Taxation Program
- Panelist, “Estate Planning Basics,” MCLE
- Speaker, “Incorporating Flexibility into Estate Planning,” The Boston Foundation
- Speaker, “The Sandwich Generation: Helping Your Clients Balance Their Lives and Their Parents' Growing Needs,” Boston Estate Planning Council