Christina Mesires Fournaris advises clients on estate, tax, and generational wealth planning. High-net-worth individuals, multigenerational family groups, entrepreneurs, and owners of privately held businesses are among her clients. A significant portion of her time is devoted to working with women business owners, as well as women who control their family’s wealth. Her practice includes advising clients on trusts, tax planning, philanthropic and charitable giving, and estate planning.
When working with families, Christina counsels family groups and family offices on the management of their holdings and management of trusts that represent family members. When she facilitates a family meeting, Christina helps the family develop a mission statement. She also educates family members on the importance of trusts, and the tax and investment considerations for various family trusts.
In her work with business owners, Christina counsels them before major liquidity events. She also structures transfer tax vehicles to shift wealth to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner.
Christina also works with individual and corporate fiduciaries on trust and estate administration matters, including counseling clients on best practices, as well as federal and state fiduciary income tax implications. She also advises clients on charitable planning techniques, including major planned gifts of various assets, charitable trusts, and private foundations.
Christina currently serves as practice group leader for the firm’s private client practice. She frequently speaks to audiences that include insurance, financial, and investment professionals and advisers.
Band 1, Private Wealth Law, Pennsylvania, Chambers High Net Worth (2024)
Ranked, Private Wealth Law, Pennsylvania, Chambers High Net Worth (2021–2023)
Top 10 Titans of Private Wealth Law in Pennsylvania, Business Today (2023)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, Philadelphia (2012–2020, 2023–2025)
Recognized, Top Woman Lawyer, Best Lawyers (2016–2017)
Member, American and Philadelphia Bar Associations
Member, Executive Board of Directors, Cornell Law Alumni Association
Member, Philadelphia Estate Planning Council
Member, Advisory Board of Managers, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Lecturer in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School – Trusts and Estates