Portrait of Jeani  Williams

Jeani Williams

Paralegal

Jeani Williams is a seasoned estate and trust paralegal with a focus on fiduciary, estate, and gift tax matters. She provides comprehensive support in the analysis and administration of complex estates and trusts, offering in-depth knowledge of federal and state tax compliance. Jeani prepares and reviews key filings, including Forms 1041, 706, 709, and 990, while advising on tax strategies that help minimize liability and ensure regulatory compliance.

Working closely with attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and fiduciaries, Jeani guides clients through estate planning and administration, from initial funding and distribution to post-mortem tax planning and resolution with the IRS. She is valued for her ability to simplify complex processes and deliver practical, client-focused solutions.

Outside the office, Jeani enjoys spending time with her five children and two grandchildren, traveling, relaxing by the beach or pool, supporting youth soccer, and staying active on her Peloton.

    Education

    • Duke University (M.S.)
    • Duke University (B.A.)
    • Duke University
      • Paralegal Certification
    • West Chester University (B.S.)
    • Duke University, Online
      • Wills & Estates and Federal Tax Law Paralegal Specialist Certificate
      • Administrative Law Paralegal Specialist Certificate
      • Law Office Administration Paralegal Specialist Certificate

    Professional Affiliations

    • Certified Paralegal, NALA
    • Registered Paralegal, NFPA
    • American Alliance Certified Paralegal, AAPI
    • Notary Public, Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina
    • Member, National Federation of Paralegal Association Voting Member AACP
    • Court Appointed Child Advocate, Mecklenburg County Council for Children’s Rights

Firm Highlights

  • Podcasts
    Artful Donations: Exploring Museum Exchange
    In this episode of The Legal Canvas, host Caryn Keppler welcomes Robert Wainstein and Michael Darling, co-founders of Museum Exchange, the first digital platform dedicated to facilitating art donations to museums and nonprofit institutions across North America. Together, they explore how technology is transforming the way collectors, artists, estates, and cultural organizations connect through charitable giving. Robert and Michael explain the inspiration behind Museum Exchange, the challenges they set out to solve, and how the platform has grown into a network of more than 400 museums. They walk listeners through the donation process—from evaluating artwork and matching donors with institutions to handling logistics, documentation, and tax considerations. Along the way, they discuss the realities of museum collecting, why many donations are declined, and how thoughtful placements can help preserve artists' legacies while expanding access to important works of art. The conversation also explores Museum Exchange's work with living artists, artist estates, hospitals, universities, and smaller regional museums, as well as the launch of the Charis Foundation for the Arts, a nonprofit designed to steward significant collections before placing them with institutions that can best benefit from them. Robert and Michael conclude by sharing their vision for the future of charitable art transactions and how Museum Exchange is helping reshape philanthropy in the arts for generations to come.