Portrait of Debra R.  Anisman

Debra R. Anisman

Principal

Debra Anisman advises high-net-worth individuals and families on the preservation, management, and transfer of wealth across generations. With more than four decades of experience, she helps clients align complex estate planning strategies with their personal priorities and long-term financial objectives.

Debra works closely with business owners, hedge fund and private equity principals, and real estate families, including multi-generational families, to design and implement sophisticated estate and wealth transfer plans. Her approach considers the full spectrum of tax implications, including income, gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.

In addition to planning, Debra oversees estate and trust administration. She represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in the administration of both large and small estates, guiding them through each stage of the process. Her practice includes representing estates in Internal Revenue Service audits, as well as advising on compliance and dispute-resolution matters that may arise during administration.

Debra also counsels clients on trust-related matters, including the modification, termination, and migration of existing trusts for both tax and non-tax reasons, to ensure that trust structures remain aligned with the law and clients’ goals over time.

Known for her thoughtful and practical approach, Debra helps clients and their advisors understand their options and make informed decisions about the stewardship of significant assets. Her experience across planning and administration enables her to provide comprehensive guidance tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

    Education

    • Stanford Law School (J.D.)
    • University of Pennsylvania (B.A., summa cum laude)

    State Bar Admissions

    • New York

    Recognitions

    • Super Lawyers 2011, 2013-2015 

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic Opportunities: Market Trends and Business Development Tips
    RE+ Mid-Atlantic is where developers, financiers, investors, project buyers, utilities, and technology providers come together to evaluate opportunities, advance transactions, and build relationships that move clean energy projects forward. Whether you're looking to secure financing, identify partners, position projects for sale, or expand your network, the conversations you have at RE+ Mid-Atlantic can have a lasting impact on your business. Join this exclusive webinar, hosted by Offit | Kurman, to preview key topics that will be explored during the event and learn practical strategies for preparing for productive business conversations. By the end of this webinar, attendees will be better equipped to: Discuss emerging trends and opportunities in the regional solar and storage landscape. Learn how to communicate project readiness, regulatory strategy, and development milestones to build investor and buyer confidence. Understand strategies for reducing perceived project risk and strengthening financing conversations. Maximize meetings and networking opportunities at RE+ Mid-Atlantic to advance partnerships, financing, and project sale discussions. Whether you're a developer, investor, project buyer, or business development professional, this webinar will help you arrive at RE+ Mid-Atlantic with the knowledge, messaging, and strategy needed to turn conference conversations into meaningful business opportunities. Speakers: Lindsay Cherry  Director of Regulatory, NineDot Energy Lindsay Cherry is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at NineDot Energy, where she leads efforts at the intersection of clean energy policy, regulation, and distributed energy development. With a background in energy policy and public affairs, Lindsay works closely with regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance innovative energy solutions and support the transition to a more resilient and sustainable power grid. She holds a master's degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Matthew Karmel, Esq. Principal, Offit Kurman Matthew Karmel is the Practice Group Leader of Offit Kurman’s Environmental & Sustainability Law Group. He advises businesses, developers, and property owners on environmental compliance, site remediation, renewable energy, sustainability, and environmental risk management. In the renewable energy industry specifically, Matthew leads a national team that handles mergers and acquisitions, site control, land use, permitting, financing, and more.  A recognized leader in the field, Matthew, is a frequent speaker and author on environmental and sustainability issues and serves on the boards of several industry organizations, including the Mid-Atlantic Solar Storage Industries Association. David Murray Director of Business Development, Turning Point Energy David Murray is the Director of Business Development at TurningPoint Energy, where he leads business development efforts in Maryland and emerging markets. With more than 15 years of experience in clean energy and environmental policy, David has held leadership roles with the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and the American Clean Power Association, advancing solar energy, land use, and community engagement initiatives. He holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in Renewable Energy & Development from the University of Cape Town and currently serves on the boards of the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association and Wallace Centers of Iowa. Alec Ward Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, SEIA Alec Ward is Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), where he represents the solar and energy storage industry before federal agencies on key energy policy issues. He brings extensive experience in clean energy, regulatory affairs, and public policy, having previously led legislative and federal affairs efforts at Ava Community Energy, served at the California Public Utilities Commission, and worked on federal conservation and climate policy initiatives with The Nature Conservancy and congressional campaigns. Alec holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Johns Hopkins University and is based in Richmond, Virginia.