Thomas M. Butz, Esq

Thomas M. Butz is now serving as Of Counsel and co-founder of Smith Butz. Attorney Butz concentrates his practice in the areas of drafting and advising clients regarding Wills, Estate and Trust Planning, Guardianships, Powers of Attorney, Estate and Trust Administration, Asset Protection, Business Succession Planning, Tax Planning, Estate Planning regarding oil/gas procedures and Mineral Rights.

A Pittsburgh native, Mr. Butz graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts and obtained his Juris Doctor Degree from Ohio Northern University in 1983. Attorney Butz returned to Western Pennsylvania to practice law. He is licensed to practice before all Pennsylvania State Courts and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He is also licensed to practice in West Virginia.

Over the course of his 35 years in the practice of law, Mr. Butz has worked for some of the largest financial institutions in Pittsburgh. After starting his career with Mellon Bank Trust Department in the Estate Tax Compliance Department, Attorney Butz moved to National City Bank where he served as the head of the Trust Tax Department and Estate Planning Group. Mr. Butz eventually left National City to take a position with the accounting firm of PriceWaterhouse as a member of their Personal Financial Consulting Group. In this capacity, Mr. Butz assisted his executive clients with their estate planning, financial planning and income tax planning, and compliance.

Prior to founding Smith Butz, Attorney Butz was a partner at a Pittsburgh law firm as a member of the estate planning and administration group. In that capacity, Attorney Butz counseled individuals and businesses in matters including: estate planning, fiduciary and personal income tax, irrevocable trusts, asset protection planning, business succession planning, and worked extensively with Attorney Smith litigating various estate and trust issues. Attorney Butz has been honored by being named in Pittsburgh Magazine as 2009 and 2011 FIVE STAR Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager.

Attorney Butz has been a featured columnist for the Peters Township Source Magazine where he has written several articles addressing various estate planning issues:

Choosing a Guardian for your Children

Prevent Unintended Consequences in your Estate Plan

The Facts About Powers of Attorney

What You Need to Know About Revocable Living Trusts

Five Common Business and Estate Planning Mistakes

When You Should Update Your Will?

Real Estate Ownership and Estate Planning

Estate Planning for the Family Business

Estate Planning and Gas Leaseholders

Through his 35 years of experience practicing estates and trusts, Attorney Butz has gained considerable experience and knowledge. He has represented individuals and families with straight forward needs as well as doctors, professional athletes, corporate executives and business owners requiring more complex planning, including comprehensive estate and asset protection planning for oil and gas royalty owners. His diverse background allows him to provide sound, professional service for clients ranging from individuals to complex businesses. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance in these areas of law, please contact Attorney Thomas M. Butz via telephone at (724) 745-5121 or email at tbutz@smithbutzlaw.com.