Farhad Aghdami is Williams Mullen's Richmond Managing Partner. He focuses his practice on wealth transfer tax planning, business succession planning, income tax planning for individuals and businesses and fiduciary litigation. He counsels a wide variety of clients, including high net worth individuals and families, middle-market business owners, institutional fiduciaries, family offices and charitable entities. Farhad has been listed in the Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Law (2017-present), where he was described by clients as “very smart, quick and personable. He makes the client feel at ease, he looks out for their best interest and he follows through." Another source states that "he thinks outside the box and gives you something that is unique."
Farhad Aghdami is Williams Mullen's Richmond Managing Partner. He focuses his practice on wealth transfer tax planning, business succession planning, income tax planning for individuals and businesses and fiduciary litigation. He counsels a wide variety of clients, including high net worth individuals and families, middle-market business owners, institutional fiduciaries, family offices and charitable entities. Farhad has been listed in the Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Law (2017-present), where he was described by clients as “very smart, quick and personable. He makes the client feel at ease, he looks out for their best interest and he follows through." Another source states that "he thinks outside the box and gives you something that is unique."
Farhad serves on the board of directors of the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia, a mutual property and casualty insurance company, and on the board of a privately held, third-generation construction materials business based in Raleigh, N.C.
Farhad is the Virginia State Chair of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and is a member of the Business Planning and Fiduciary Income Tax Committees. He is listed in The Best Lawyers In America© and was named the Richmond “Tax Lawyer of the Year” in the 2015 and 2018 editions and the Richmond “Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year” in the 2016 and 2019 editions. In addition, Farhad has been named one of the top 50 lawyers in Richmond and one of the top 100 lawyers in Virginia by Virginia Super Lawyers (2012-2015, 2017-present). Farhad previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond School of Law and Washington & Lee’s School of Law.
Farhad is a member of the board of trustees of the Southern Federal Tax Institute. In addition, Farhad has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including the Virginia Bar Association's Wills, Trusts, and Estates Section (chair, 2011-2013), where he led efforts to enact the Virginia decanting statute, the Virginia self-settled spendthrift trust statute, the Virginia grantor trust tax reimbursement statute and the Virginia directed trust statute. In addition, he served as the chair of the Fiduciary Income Tax Committee of the ABA Tax Section (2003-2005). Farhad chaired the ABA Tax Section’s Task Forces that submitted comments on the regulations promulgated in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Estate of Hubert and in response to IRS Notice 2011-101 on trust decanting.
In addition, Farhad has also served leadership roles in a number of other professional organizations, including the Estate Planning Council of Richmond (president, 2011-2012), Insurance Planning Committee of the ABA Real Property, Probate & Trust Section (chair, 2003-2004), Trust Administrators Council of Richmond (president, 2004-2005), University of Richmond Estate Planning Advisory Council (chair, 2004-2009) and Richmond Private Business Study Group (chair, 2001-2002).
Farhad is a co-author (with Howard Zaritsky and Mary Ann Mancini) of Structuring Buy-Sell Agreements (Thomson Reuters). He has authored numerous articles that have appeared in tax journals, including The Tax Lawyer and The Journal of Taxation, and he has been quoted in The New York Times and Virginia Business. Farhad is the planning chair for the Conner-Zaritsky Advanced Estate Planning Institute. In addition, he regularly speaks at advanced planning conferences, including those sponsored by the University of Miami-Heckerling Institute, ACTEC, the Southern Federal Tax Institute, the ABA Tax Section, the ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Section and the American Law Institute.
Farhad is a member of the board of trustees of St. Christopher’s School, the Medical College of Virginia Foundation, Venture Richmond and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond. He is a member of The Forum Club and the 2006 Class of Leadership Metro Richmond. Farhad previously served as chairman of the board of governors of the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, and he previously served on the board of trustees of the Valentine Richmond History Center.
Farhad is a 1989 graduate of the University of Virginia and a 1992 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law. He received his LL.M. in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center in 1995.
-
12.01.2020
61 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite for 2020
-
09.01.2020
Trio of WM Partners Included in Virginia Business’s 2020 Power List
-
08.20.2020
116 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©; Most Total Lawyers in Virginia
-
07.16.2020
Williams Mullen Recognized in 2020 Chambers High Net Worth Guide; Farhad Aghdami and Dan Durst Ranked in Private Wealth Law
-
05.07.2020
35 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2020 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 13 Named 2020 Rising Stars
-
04.20.2020
Signing Estate Planning Documents During the COVID-19 Pandemic
-
12.04.2019
55 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite for 2019
-
08.15.2019
119 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©
-
07.19.2019
Williams Mullen Recognized in 2019 Chambers High Net Worth Guide; Farhad Aghdami and Dan Durst Ranked in Private Wealth Law
-
04.10.2019
6 Williams Mullen Attorneys Ranked on 2019 Top Lists by Virginia Super Lawyers
-
04.10.2019
47 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2019 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 17 Named 2019 Rising Stars
-
11.30.2018
45 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite for 2018
-
09.28.2018
IRS Gets “Bageled” in Tax Court Over Family Office Expenses
-
08.15.2018
110 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in Latest Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©
-
08.14.2018
14 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named ‘Lawyers of the Year’ by The Best Lawyers in America©
-
07.23.2018
Estate Planning Practice Recognized in 2018 Chambers High Net Worth Guide; Farhad Aghdami Rated ‘Band 1'
-
04.18.2018
53 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2018 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 20 Named 2018 Rising Stars
-
03.15.2018
Estate Planning Adjustments for Tax Year 2018 & Chained CPI Under New Tax Act
-
01.18.2018
Wealth Transfer Tax Planning Implications of the 2017 Tax Act
-
12.21.2017
Congress Passes Tax Act
-
12.01.2017
46 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business Magazine's 2017 'Legal Elite'
-
10.11.2017
Section 2704 Regulations to be Withdrawn
-
10.10.2017
Framework for Tax Reform Released
-
08.14.2017
Nine Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2018 ‘Lawyers of the Year’ by The Best Lawyers in America
-
08.14.2017
114 Williams Mullen Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2018
-
06.05.2017
Farhad Aghdami Featured in Times-Dispatch Q&A
-
04.26.2017
Trump Administration Releases Blueprint of Tax Reform
-
04.14.2017
54 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to 2017 Virginia Super Lawyers List; 21 Named 2017 Rising Stars
-
03.06.2017
Richmond BizSense Highlights Williams Mullen's Record Breaking Year and Influx of New Talent
-
12.07.2016
50 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2016 ‘Legal Elite’
-
08.15.2016
100 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2017 Best Lawyers in America
-
02.17.2016
56 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2016 Virginia Super Lawyers; 22 Named 2016 Rising Stars
-
12.09.2015
50 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2015 ‘Legal Elite’
-
08.17.2015
15 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2016 “Lawyers of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America
-
08.17.2015
106 Williams Mullen Attorneys named 2016 Best Lawyers in America
-
04.10.2015
Williams Mullen Virginia Attorneys Named 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
-
04.02.2015
Williams Mullen Announces Additional Leadership Changes
-
12.01.2014
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2014 “Legal Elite”
-
11.05.2014
Farhad Aghdami quoted in the Times-Dispatch about retiring TCF executive
-
08.18.2014
100 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2015 Best Lawyers in America
-
08.18.2014
Eight Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2015 “Lawyers of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America
-
06.20.2014
Williams Mullen Virginia Attorneys Named 2014 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
-
06.12.2014
Farhad Aghdami discusses Williams Mullen's charitable giving in Richmond BizSense
-
03.05.2014
Obama Administration Announces Gift Tax Annual Exclusion Proposal
-
03.03.2014
Tax Court Rules on Built-In Gains Discount and Appraiser Qualification
-
01.30.2014
Simplified IRS Relief for Same-Sex Couples and Others
-
12.04.2013
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named to Virginia Business magazine’s 2013 “Legal Elite”
-
08.30.2013
All Same-Sex Marriages Valid for Federal Tax Purposes
-
08.16.2013
100 Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2014 Best Lawyers in America
-
06.21.2013
Williams Mullen Virginia Attorneys Named 2013 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
-
01.11.2013
New Year: New Taxes, New Rates and (Some) Taxpayer Relief
-
12.03.2012
Williams Mullen Attorneys Named 2012 Virginia “Legal Elite”
-
05.23.2012
Client Alert: Virginia Enacts Trust Decanting Statute
-
05.21.2012
Client Alert: Gift and Creditor Protection Planning with Virginia’s New Self-Settled Spendthrift Trust Statute
-
04.23.2012
Wealth Transfer Planning in 2012: Perfect Storm of Opportunity
-
08.11.2011
IRS Provides Guidance on Procedures for Election Out of Estate Taxation and Filing Form 8939
-
08.10.2011
Final Rules Published to Implement Dodd-Frank Requirements for Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing
-
08.10.2011
Final Rules Published to Implement Dodd-Frank Requirements for Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing
-
08.02.2011
Dodd-Frank: President Obama Announces his Nomination for Director of the CFPB
-
07.29.2011
North Carolina Substantially Revises Procedural Rules for Estate Matters and Caveat Proceedings and Expands Reach of Non-Claim Statute
-
07.20.2011
IRS Expands Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Assessments to Third Party Payroll Providers
-
12.19.2010
Happy Holidays: Historic Wealth Transfer Tax Changes
-
03.31.2010
Understanding Health Care Reform - Employer Alert
-
01.01.2010
Federal Estate Tax Repeal in 2010
-
12.04.2009
House of Representatives Passes Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act
-
09.29.2009
Potential Estate and Gift Tax Legislative Changes
-
09.21.2009
Recent Wealth Transfer Tax Changes
-
04.01.2008
Lessons Learned: Recent Cases Involving the Uniform Trust Code
-
04.29.2021
Hot Topics, Transfer Planning and Q&A Panel – The Conner-Zaritsky 42nd Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Administration Seminar 2021
-
02.26.2021
12th Annual Fiduciary Focus
-
01.27.2021
Winter 2021 Tax Forum
-
10.28.2020
Webinar - Tax Planning: 2020 & Beyond
-
08.05.2020
Virtual Tax Forum: Tax and Wealth Planning Updates
-
04.02.2020
Webinar: Wealth Transfer Planning During the Pandemic: Change and Opportunity
-
02.28.2020
11th Annual Fiduciary Focus
-
01.23.2020
Winter 2020 Tax Forum
-
10.23.2019
Capturing Enterprise Value: Creating Legacy Through Business Transactions
-
07.11.2019
Wealth Transfer Planning with Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund Interests
-
05.04.2019
Fiduciary Income Tax Planning and Hot Topics of Estate Planning
-
02.22.2019
2019 Fiduciary Focus
-
02.22.2019
Estate Planning Meets The Qualified Opportunity Zone Tax Incentive
-
02.22.2019
Getting Your Hands Dirty: Tax Planning for Real Estate Investors
-
10.31.2018
Fall 2018 Tax Forum
-
06.08.2018
Estate and Trust Planning After Tax Reform — Including Income and Tax Basis Planning
-
05.17.2018
Spring 2018 Tax Forum
-
05.11.2018
A World of Opportunity: The Practical Aspects of Decanting and Unique Benefits of the Uniform Trust Decanting Act
-
02.23.2018
Fiduciary Focus 2018
-
02.13.2018
Decanting Comes of Age - Washington D.C. Estate Planning Council
-
07.29.2017
Estate Planning Hot Topics - 38th Annual Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Program
-
07.13.2017
Decanting - ABA Real Property Probate and Trust Section STEP Program
-
05.07.2017
Hot Topics and Q&A Panel – Virginia CLE Advanced Estate Planning Institute
-
02.24.2017
2017 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
02.22.2017
Recent Developments and Hot Topics, Including Possible Legislative Changes in the Trump Administration
-
02.21.2017
Charitable Gift Planning in Connection with a Liquidity Event
-
01.26.2017
Winter 2017 Tax Forum
-
10.19.2016
My Estate is Worth What? Best Practices and Pitfalls of Working with Appraisers and Valuation Experts
-
09.21.2016
Fall 2016 Tax Forum
-
02.26.2016
2016 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
01.28.2016
Winter 2016 Tax Forum
-
09.18.2015
Fall 2015 Tax Forum
-
06.29.2015
Seminar: Tax and Non-Tax Aspects of Business Succession Planning
-
04.21.2015
RVA Family Office Forum
-
03.27.2015
2015 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
01.29.2015
Winter 2015 Richmond Tax Forum
-
01.26.2015
EY Family and Closely Held Business Seminar: Insights and planning for the new year
-
01.26.2015
EY Family and Closely Held Business Seminar: Insights and planning for the new year
-
10.01.2014
Fall 2014 Tax Forum
-
06.25.2014
Williams Mullen Recognized at Richmond Bizsense Generosity Awards Celebration
-
05.21.2014
Williams Mullen Spring 2014 Tax Forum - Richmond
-
02.21.2014
2014 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
01.23.2014
Williams Mullen Winter 2014 Richmond Tax Forum
-
09.19.2013
Williams Mullen Fall 2013 Richmond Tax Forum
-
06.04.2013
Williams Mullen Spring 2013 Richmond Tax Forum
-
03.18.2013
It's Time to Trust Virginia Law: 2012 Legislation Brings Wealth Transfer Opportunities
-
02.22.2013
2013 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
01.29.2013
Williams Mullen Winter 2013 Richmond Tax Forum
-
01.17.2013
Personal Financial and Tax Planning in an Era of Uncertainty
-
09.25.2012
Williams Mullen Fall 2012 Richmond Tax Forum
-
02.23.2012
2012 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
01.30.2012
Williams Mullen Winter 2012 Richmond Tax Forum
-
09.28.2011
Williams Mullen Fall 2011 Tax Forum
-
05.17.2011
Williams Mullen Spring 2011 Tax Forum
-
02.25.2011
Williams Mullen Fiduciary Focus 2011
-
01.20.2011
Williams Mullen Winter Tax Forum 2011
-
01.06.2011
Happy Holidays: Historic Wealth Transfer Tax Relief Teleconference - January 6, 2011
-
12.21.2010
Happy Holidays: Historic Wealth Transfer Tax Relief Teleconference
-
10.19.2010
Williams Mullen Fall 2010 Richmond Tax Forum
-
04.30.2010
Advanced Estate Planning and Administration
-
04.28.2010
Williams Mullen Spring 2010 Richmond Tax Forum
-
03.18.2010
2010 Raleigh Fiduciary Focus
-
02.25.2010
2010 Richmond Fiduciary Focus
-
02.18.2010
Advanced Estate Planning Techniques
-
01.13.2010
Current Issues Concerning Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITSs)
-
10.01.2009
Business Planning Seminar and Roundtable Discussion
-
02.19.2009
Fiduciary Focus 2009What Every Fiduciary Needs to Know in the New Year