Tax Law Trusts and Estates
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Atlanta.
R. Mark Williamson
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2005 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Mark Williamson is a partner and chair of Alston & Bird's Wealth Planning and Exempt Organizations Group. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and practices in the areas of estate planning and federal taxation.
Mr. Williamson practiced with the Milwaukee law firm of Foley & Lardner before joining Alston & Bird and has been an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Georgia State University in Atlanta. He was on the faculties of the 1997, 1999, 2007, and 2011 Estate Planning Institutes in Athens, Georgia, and the 1997, 2000, 2007, and 2008 Fiduciary Law Institutes in St. Simons, Georgia.
In 1997, Mr. Williamson received the Estates and Trusts Magazine "Best Young Author Award" for a series of articles he co-authored with Professor Jeffrey Pennell of Emory University, and is the author of a BNA Tax Management Portfolio on tax treaties for individuals. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and is a Georgia "Super Lawyer."
Mr. Williamson also studied at the doctorate level at Louisiana State University and the Catholic University of America, and continues to perform professionally including a three-week tour of China in 2011-12.
Mr. Williamson practiced with the Milwaukee law firm of Foley & Lardner before joining Alston & Bird and has been an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Georgia State University in Atlanta. He was on the faculties of the 1997, 1999, 2007, and 2011 Estate Planning Institutes in Athens, Georgia, and the 1997, 2000, 2007, and 2008 Fiduciary Law Institutes in St. Simons, Georgia.
In 1997, Mr. Williamson received the Estates and Trusts Magazine "Best Young Author Award" for a series of articles he co-authored with Professor Jeffrey Pennell of Emory University, and is the author of a BNA Tax Management Portfolio on tax treaties for individuals. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and is a Georgia "Super Lawyer."
Mr. Williamson also studied at the doctorate level at Louisiana State University and the Catholic University of America, and continues to perform professionally including a three-week tour of China in 2011-12.
Overview
- Florida State University, J.D., graduated 1991
- University of North Texas, M. M., graduated 1983
- Georgia, State Bar of Georgia
- Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin
- Il Brasso Magnifico - Founder and music director of the brass chamber music group
- Atlanta Estate Planning Council - Former Chair
- Estate Planning and Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association - Fomer Chair
- Estate Planning Institute, Athens, Georgia - Faculty - 1997, 1999, 2007 (chair), 2011
- Fiduciary Law Institute, St. Simons, Georgia - Faculty - 1997, 2000, 2007, 2008 (chair)
- Fiduciary Law Section, State Bar of Georgia - Former Chair
- Florida State University Law School - Member, Board of Visitors
- Florida State University, Law Review - Former executive editor,
- Georgia Federal Tax Conference - Former Chair
- Georgia Lawyers for the Arts and Jazz Orchestra Atlanta - Board Chair
- New York State Bar Association International Law Section - Faculty - 2002 (Rome), 2003 (Amsterdam); 2004 (London)
- Order of the Coif - Member
- State Bar of Georgia Basic Fiduciary Seminar - Faculty
- The Charles Loridans Foundation - Trustee
- United States Air Force Band - Fomer Member, 1984 – 1988
- Georgia, State Bar of Georgia
- Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin
- Il Brasso Magnifico - Founder and music director of the brass chamber music group
- Atlanta Estate Planning Council - Former Chair
- Estate Planning and Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association - Fomer Chair
- Estate Planning Institute, Athens, Georgia - Faculty - 1997, 1999, 2007 (chair), 2011
- Fiduciary Law Institute, St. Simons, Georgia - Faculty - 1997, 2000, 2007, 2008 (chair)
- Fiduciary Law Section, State Bar of Georgia - Former Chair
- Florida State University Law School - Member, Board of Visitors
- Florida State University, Law Review - Former executive editor,
- Georgia Federal Tax Conference - Former Chair
- Georgia Lawyers for the Arts and Jazz Orchestra Atlanta - Board Chair
- New York State Bar Association International Law Section - Faculty - 2002 (Rome), 2003 (Amsterdam); 2004 (London)
- Order of the Coif - Member
- State Bar of Georgia Basic Fiduciary Seminar - Faculty
- The Charles Loridans Foundation - Trustee
- United States Air Force Band - Fomer Member, 1984 – 1988
- Florida State University, J.D., graduated 1991
- University of North Texas, M. M., graduated 1983
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Tax Law, Atlanta (2026)
- Tax Law, Atlanta (2020)
- Trusts and Estates, Atlanta (2019)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Experience
- Works on a wide variety of tax and non-tax controversies, including fiduciary litigation, tax audits and litigation, divorce tax and estate planning issues, and offshore voluntary disclosure matters.
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