Louis S. Harrison
Partner, Chair Emeritus
T 312.332.5440
F 312.332.1150
lharrison@harrisonllp.com
Chicago, IL

A founding partner of Harrison LLP, Louis Harrison’s practice encompasses all aspects of trust and estate planning, including estate and business planning for closely held companies. In addition to individuals in need of sophisticated planning, Lou represents numerous family offices, public figures, CEOs of public companies, closely held businesses, and other entities and prominent individuals.
Lou has long been recognized as one of the premier estate planning attorneys in the country. During his nearly four-decade career, he has developed unique and creative estate planning techniques which are utilized by high-end estate planners across the country. Recognizing his extraordinary talent, attorneys across the nation view Lou’s estate planning documents as “best practices” for complex planning.
Lou is a frequent keynote speaker, and he has written more than 200 articles on a broad range of estate planning topics which have been published in legal, accounting, tax, and estate planning journals and periodicals. Lou has also co-authored two books, and he collaborates with other practitioners around the country regarding advanced planning matters and defending plans before the Internal Revenue Service.
In acknowledgment of his exceptional work, Lou has received numerous peer-rated awards, including being selected as The Best Lawyers in America®’s “Lawyer of the Year” in trusts and estates on multiple occasions, as well as many other prestigious honors.
Lou is a Fellow with the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel, previously serving as its Illinois state chair. Lou has also been an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Law, DePaul University College of Law, and Chicago-Kent College of Law.
In addition to swimming in Lake Michigan long after the summer’s end, Lou’s hobbies include football, hockey, hiking, reading, behavioral finance, and bad puns (are there any other kind).
“Business Succession Planning That is Not The Same Ole Cliched Stories and Zzzzz’s,” Nevada Tax & Trust Conference (April 22, 2025)
“Best Practices in Trust Administration: Buttoning Up to Avoid Trustee Concerns,” Larry Kraus Family Office Tax Institute (July 7, 2022)
Louis S. Harrison, John M. Janiga, and Beth L. Fox, “Tips From the Pros: Re-thinking Trusteeship and Flexibility for Spousal Trusts,” Trusts & Estates Magazine (Wealth Management, 2022)
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Illinois
University of Chicago School of Business, M.B.A. in finance with honors
Duke University School of Law, J.D., high honors
Colgate University, B.A. in mathematics, magna cum laude
American Bar Association
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow (former Illinois State Chair)
Chicago Bar Association
Chicago Estate Planning Council
Illinois State Bar Association
Hadley School for the Blind, Board of Directors
Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Band 1 Ranking for Private Wealth Law (2015 – present)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates (1999 – present)
Advisory Committee of Leading Lawyers
Leading Lawyers Network (2003 – present)
Illinois Super Lawyers
100 Top Estate Planning Lawyers, Worth Magazine
Related News

Louis S. Harrison Featured in The Future of the Estate Planning Profession Webinar
Chicago Partner and Founder Louis S. Harrison will present at an upcoming discussion titled “The Future of the Estate Planning Profession,” taking place on Wednesday, July 23.

Kimberly G. Ader and Kim C. Martin to Present at State Bar of Georgia’s Fiduciary Law Institute
Atlanta Partners Kimberly G. Ader and Kim C. Martin will present at the annual Georgia Bar Association’s Fiduciary Law Institute taking place July 24-26 in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Elizabeth A. Garlovsky Appointed ACTEC Membership Recruitment Director for Illinois
Elizabeth A. Garlovsky has been appointed Membership Recruitment Director for the state of Illinois by the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). In this esteemed role, Elizabeth will oversee key responsibilities related to membership recruitment, including strategic planning, outreach, relationship development, and collaboration across internal and external networks.