

Deirdre R. Wheatley-Liss
Principal
Overview
Deirdre R. Wheatley-Liss divides her practice between representation of business owners and their businesses, counselling individuals and families, and advising non-profit entities.
Business Owners and Business Representation
Ms. Wheatley-Liss counsels business owners on legal and structural issues related to start-up, financing, growth and exit strategy. As a tax attorney, she always keeps an eye on minimizing a business owner's "silent partner" – the IRS. She also advises on director and officer (D&O) liability issues, including business succession and break-ups. By creating the most efficient organizational structures and contractual arrangements during the infancy and growth of a business she has helped clients keep hundreds of thousands of dollars in their pockets upon the sale of the mature business.
To educate both the public and the legal community about issues relating to business ownerships, Ms. Wheatley-Liss is a frequent lecturer to professionals and the public on topics related to start-up, intellectual property, employee and independent contractor issues, wealth transfer, tax minimization, business succession planning and cybersecurity.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
Ms. Wheatley-Liss helps organizations to meet regulatory requirements by assessing current data privacy and cybersecurity policies against best practice frameworks. Deirdre provides counseling pertaining to policies and pre-incident planning, in order to minimize loss in the case of a potential breach. She is a frequent lecturer on best practices and corporate governance as related to privilege and cybersecurity.
Individual and Family Representation
The core of Ms. Wheatley-Liss' practice is protecting the wealth her clients have earned and created over a lifetime – from taxes, long-term care costs, ill-equipped beneficiaries, divorce, lawsuits and mis-management by others. To do this she focuses on educating clients about how to make the legal system work to help them meet their goals and then carry out that plan. This may include creating wills and trusts, tax planning, advising an executor of an estate, representing a beneficiary in a disputed estate, crafting a long-term care asset protection plan, elder law counseling, special needs planning or guardianships.
Ms. Wheatley-Liss devotes time to educating the public and professional communities as well. She is an in-demand speaker on estate planning, elder law and special needs planning. She has blogged at New Jersey Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog, a leading commentary on developments in tax law, estate planning, estate administration, elder law and business law. Ms. Wheatley-Liss is the author of the published book "Plan Your Own Estate" and is working on a second book about Elder Law and Asset Protection Planning.
Non-Profit Representation
Non-profit entities, whether educational institutions, community groups or family foundations, have unique needs and must meet stringent tax rules to maintain their non-profit status. Ms. Wheatley-Liss counsels these clients to educate them about those rules, develop strategies and best practices to meet their charitable goals, assist with tax filings and advocate before the IRS and tax authorities.
Education and Community Involvement
Ms. Wheatley-Liss' continuous pursuit of knowledge distinguishes her from other practitioners in her fields. She has an LL.M in Taxation, an advanced legal degree. She is also accredited as a Certified Elder Law Attorney, by the American Bar Association approved National Elder Law Foundation, one of fewer than 100 attorneys in New Jersey with this credential. She hones her knowledge through continuous legal and business education to share "best practice" strategies with her clients.
Ms. Wheatley-Liss is active in the local business community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, chair at the Morris Members Council, advisor to the Women in Business Committee and Board Member of Business Owners Exchange. She serves on the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey, Co-Chairs the Tax, Trust, Estate and Elder Law Committee of the Morris County Bar Association and is Vice-Chair of the Tax Steering Committee of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys. She acts as a legal advisor to several local non-profit organizations created to support various populations in New York and New Jersey.
Recognition
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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Named to ROI-NJ's "ROI Influencers: Women in Business 2023" List.
A description of the selection process can be found here. - "Top Lawyers," Elder Law; Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine, 2021-2022.
A description of the selection process can be found here. - NJBIZ "Leader in the Law" Honoree, 2022
- Tri-County Scholarship Fund - Women of Achievement Award - 2014, 2015.
For more information, click here. - Boy Scouts of America 2011 Tribute to Women
- Included in the New Jersey Super Lawyers list, 2023; New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars List - 2009, 2010.
A description of the selection process can be found here. - NJ BIZ Top 50 Women in Business - 2009.
A description of the selection process can be found here. - NJ BIZ Top Forty under 40 – 2008.
A description of the selection process can be found here.
Memberships
- Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey - Board of Directors, Immediate Past President
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- New York Bar Association
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) - Board of Directors - NJ Chapter
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) - Chair, Tax Section Steering Committee
- Elder Law Committee of the Morris County Bar Association - Co-Chair
- Morris County Bar Association
- Morris County Chamber of Commerce - Women in Business
- Morris County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors – Chair (present), Vice-Chair (2021 - 2022)
News
- Twenty Porzio Attorneys Recognized in 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists, 5/11/2023
- Porzio's Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Named Chair of Morris County Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors , 1/19/2023
- Four Porzio Principals Recognized as 2022 "Top Lawyers" by Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine, 6/29/2022
- Congratulations to Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss for Being Named by NJBIZ as a 2022 Leaders in the Law Honoree , 5/24/2022
- Three Porzio Principals Recognized as 2021 "Top Lawyers" by Morris/Essex Health & Life Magazine, 7/08/2021
- Porzio Bromberg & Newman, P.C. Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Named to Morris County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 3/11/2021
- Porzio's Family of Companies Receive Community Impact Award, 11/22/2019
- Elder Law Attorney Deirdre Wheatley-Liss has Accepted a Position on the InterActive Legal Advisory Board, 6/24/2019
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Honored by Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ), 5/09/2018
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss' Elder Law Event Covered by the Daily Record, 7/29/2017
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Presented on New Jersey Estate Planning and Basic New Jersey Estate Administration, 11/22/2016
- 8th Annual Porzio Employment Law Forum, 11/15/2016
- Porzio Business Owners Symposium Series: What Happens When You No Longer "Like" Your Employees, 10/21/2016
- Porzio Business Owners Symposium Series: Cyber Liability, 8/19/2016
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Named as a Member of the Tax Section Steering Committee of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, 9/17/2015
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Nominated as a Director of the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey, 5/19/2015
Articles
- 2023 Q3 Tax Updates, 7/20/2023
- Lessons from the Lynnette Harris and Leigh Ann Conley Cases, 7/20/2023
- Tax Short Shorts, 7/20/2023
- Net Unrealized Appreciation: Opportunities in Your Company's Retirement Plan, 7/20/2023
- More IRS Scrutiny of Hobby Losses, 7/20/2023
- Retirement Report, 7/20/2023
- Qualified Small Business Stock: More Smoke than Fire, 7/20/2023
- 2023 Q2 Tax Updates, 4/27/2023
- A Look At President Biden's Budget Tax Proposals, 4/27/2023
- Crypto Corner, 4/27/2023
- Golden Passports & Moving to Puerto Rico, 4/27/2023
- Tax Shorts, 4/27/2023
- 2023 Q1 Tax Updates, 1/24/2023
- IRS Delays $600 Reporting Threshold, 1/24/2023
- The Far Side, 1/24/2023
- The Silver Lining of Inflation, 1/24/2023
- Understanding the Once-A-Year Rollover Rule, 1/24/2023
- 2022 Year-End Tax Planning , 12/13/2022
- The Complexity of Charitable Contributions, 12/13/2022
- Converting Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs, 12/13/2022
- Crypto Investments, 12/13/2022
- Delaying Income and Accelerating Expenses, 12/13/2022
- Looking Ahead: Tax Rates, Gift & Estate Exemptions and Tax Legislation, 12/13/2022
- Should You Harvest Losses?, 12/13/2022
- 2022 Year-End Tax Planning Resources, 12/13/2022
- Federal Tax Changes: The Time to Plan Is Now, 4/01/2021
- New Estate and Gift Taxes on the Way?, 3/30/2021
- Attorneys' Ethical Obligation in the Event of a Data Breach, June 2020
- SBA Payment Protection Program Loans - Use Of Proceeds And Loan Forgiveness, 4/02/2020
- SBA - Paycheck Protection Program Guidance, 4/02/2020
- Paycheck Protection Program Application Process, 4/02/2020
- Trust & Estate Planning During COVID-19: 10 Answers to Client Questions, 3/26/2020
- Operation of Law Practice in the Event of Death or Disability, 10/18/2019
- SECURE Act and RESA - Significant Changes Expected to Retirement Planning, 6/03/2019
- Does Your Grantor Trust Still Make Sense?, 3/01/2019
- Using NINGs to Save New Jersey State Income Taxes, 1/07/2019
- Planning for Special Needs Children in a Divorce, 7/19/2018
- 2017 Year-End Planning Update, 12/13/2017
- Market Like A Girl, 11/10/2016
Events
- New Jersey Employer Action Guide, 4/14/2020
- Porzio Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss and PorzioCS Vice President Jim Mottola Present at MCBA Legalpalooza, 10/18/2019
- Porzio Principals to Present at the NJCPA Bergen and Hudson Chapters' Annual Tax Seminar, 11/04/2017
- Porzio Principals Presented at CBI's Data Privacy Summit for Life Sciences, 10/30/2017
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Presenting to Insurance Professionals on Cybersecurity Best Practices, 10/27/2017
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Presented at the Alzheimer's New Jersey Caregiver Conference, 7/29/2017
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Spoke at the Executive Women's Leadership Breakfast, 5/11/2017
- Porzio Business Owners Symposium Series: Managing Strategic Partnerships/Joint Ventures, 4/07/2017
- Porzio Attorneys Deirdre Wheatley-Liss and Richard Ploss Presented "Estate Planning for Unusual Assets", 2/07/2017
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Speak at the NJICLE Program on Will Writing, 12/19/2016
- Porzio Attorneys To Present During ASAH Workshop, 12/15/2016
- Porzio Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Speak at NJICLE Program "Let's Write A Will: 2016 Update", 12/12/2016
- Porzio Principals Present at the NJICLE 2016 Cyber Security Conference, 12/12/2016
- Porzio Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Speak at NJCPA Essex Chapter Seminar, "Social Security and Elder Law Taxation", 12/09/2016
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss and Kerri Wright to present at NJCPA Annual Tax Seminar, 11/19/2016
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Moderate the NJICLE Program "A Lawyer's Guide to Estate Planning", 11/17/2016
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Will Moderate the NJICLE Program "Advanced Estate Planning in 2017 & Beyond", 11/17/2016
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Speak at NJICLE Seminar on Advanced Estate Planning, 11/16/2016
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Presents to the New Jersey Collaborative Law Group, 10/18/2016
- Porzio Attorneys Deirdre Wheatley-Liss and Richard Ploss Co-Presented a Seminar on Estate Planning for Digital Assets, 10/04/2016
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Speak at B.I.G.'s Special Empowerment Event Series, 9/20/2016
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Present on The Financial Impact of a Data Breach, 9/20/2016
- Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss to Present NJCPA Session on Elder Law Taxation, Guardianships and Estate Planning, 9/02/2016
- Porzio Principals Speak at the 2016 Cyber Security Conference, 6/14/2016
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Presented Webinar on Current Issues, Trends and Approaches for Long Range Care Planning, 5/17/2016
- Porzio Business Owners Symposium Series: Changes Affecting Business Utilization of Independent Contractors, 4/15/2016
- Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Co-Presented a Webinar For Transitions in Business Ownership, 3/21/2016
- Porzio Principal Deirdre Wheatley-Liss Honored by Tri-County Scholarship Fund with 2015 Women of Achievement Award, 3/20/2015
Speaking Engagements
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"Cool Tips & Tricks to Help Your Clients Save on Taxes and Increase Your Bottom Line," 2023 National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Summit , 3/10/2023
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"Wage Issues in the Modern Economy," Porzo Employment Law Forum, 11/02/2022
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"A Whole New World - Taxation of Cryptocurrency and Other Digital Assets," Stetson's Annual National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts, 10/12/2022
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"No Kidding – the "Kiddie Tax" Bites," Stetson's Annual National Conference on Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts, 10/12/2022
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"Medicaid 201: Planning for Long Term Care Costs," Porzio Webinar, 4/09/2021
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"Medicaid 101: When You Need Long Term Care," Porzio Webinar, 3/12/2021
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"When You Are Suddenly Alone – The First Year Following Change," Porzio Webinar, 2/12/2021
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"Clutter Clearance and Financial Housekeeping – Supporting Wellbeing and Aging in Place," Porzio Webinar, 1/08/2021
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"Memory Issues in Aging – Medical and Legal Perspectives," Porzio Webinar, 12/11/2020
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"Planning for Parents of Gen Z" Porzio Webinar, 11/13/2020
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Speaker, "CEOs, Wives, Mothers, Daughters: Legal Planning for Our Roles in Life," New Jersey Business Association's Women Business Leaders Council, 10/23/2020
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"Medicare 101: Maximizing Your or Your Loved One's Health Care in Retirement?" Porzio Webinar, 10/09/2020
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"Protecting your Assets, Wealth Planning and Charitable Giving," Webinar, Montclair State University, 9/16/2020
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"What does a Trustee REALLY do?" Porzio Webinar, 9/11/2020
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"Supporting An Aging Loved One – The Intersection of Elder Care and Elder Law", Porzio Webinar, 8/14/2020
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"Graying Marriage and Divorce: Special Considerations for Marriage and Divorce Over 60", Porzio Webinar, 7/10/2020
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"Will Drafting Fundamentals", NJICLE Webcast, 4/29/2020
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"New Jersey Employer Action Guide," Morris County Chamber Of Commerce Webinar, 4/14/2020
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"GDPR and Ethical Considerations Related to Privacy," Ethics & Eggs, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., 11/22/2019
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"Best Practices In Managing Vendor Access To Confidential Data," Porzio Employment Law Forum, 10/03/2018
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"Estate Planning for Unusual Assets," and "Multi-Jurisdiction Estate Planning," NJICLE, Summer CLEfest- Tax & Estate Planning Track, 8/10/2018
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"Hot Topics: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," NJCPA Webinar, 7/12/2018
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"Sexual Harassment," Morris County Chamber of Commerce Not For Profit Roundtable, 6/21/2018
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"Data Privacy & CyberSecurity: Practical Steps to Protect Your School," New Jersey Association of School Administrators, 5/23/2018
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"A Lifetime of Support: Planning for a Family Member Who Has Special Needs," Randolph Township Library, 2/06/2018
Prior Relevant Experience
- Prudential Financial, Business Consultant-Estate Planning, Business Planning and Retirement Planning