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Jay M. Pabian

Partner

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Jay Pabian’s practice focuses on developing effective exit planning strategies for the owners of privately-held companies. Business clients rely on Jay’s deep legal and financial background to prepare for the eventual transition of their businesses. Jay is known for his highly skilled approach to creating master plans that transition businesses while preserving and protecting important legacies and assets.

In addition to his specialized focus on business succession planning and exit planning strategies, Jay helps clients with employment law, tax law, wealth preservation planning, asset protection planning, and estate and trust planning and administration. His clients include multi-generational family enterprises, privately held businesses, law and accounting firms, medical and dental practices, financial service providers, supply-chain purchasing and distribution entities, and health and non-profit organizations.

Jay completed the rigorous Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) Program through the Exit Planning Institute, the world’s most widely accepted professional exit planning program. Upon finishing the CEPA Program, he joined the Exit Planning Institute’s New England Chapter of the Leadership Committee. Prior to entering private law practice in 1983, Jay was a certified public accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP, one of the top four CPA firms in the world.

Areas of concentration:

  • Business, Estate & Gift Tax Planning
  • Business Law & Commercial Real Estate
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate & Trust Administration
  • Dispute Resolution

Recognition and Awards

  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, “Lawyer of the Year”, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, 2025
  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023-2025
    • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
    • Trusts and Estates
  • Named, Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Trusts and Estates, 2022-2024
  • Selected, Massachusetts Super Lawyers List, 2004, 2008-2024
  • Awarded, Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation, the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils
  • Recognized, Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2004, 2008-2021
  • Listed, Top 100: New England Super Lawyers, 2009, 2011, 2013-2014, 2016
  • Honored, Boston Five Star Financial Service Provider, Five Star Professionals, 2016-2017
  • Honored, Lawyer of Distinction, lawyerofdistinction.com, 2015-2016

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Boston Bar Association
  • Member, National Association of Estate Planners and Councils
  • Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Member, Boston Estate Planning Counsel
  • Leadership Committee, Exit Planning Institute, New England Chapter
  • Former President, Sharon Rotary Club
  • Former President, New England Region of American Association of Attorneys and CPAs
  • Former President, New England Region of Jewish National Fund
  • Former Member of Corporate Council, American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge
  • Former Lecturer Boston Tax Institute
  • Former Adjunct Professor, New England School of Law
  • Former Instructor, Northeastern School of Law, Advanced Estate Planning and Estate and Gift Taxation

Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Featured Speaker, “Checklist for Family Business Succession Planning,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (February 16, 2022)
  • Co-Author, “Guiding Your Baby Boomer Clients Through the Challenges of Long-Term Care,” WebCPA, New England Law Journal (March 22, 2011)
  • Speaker, “Wealth Planning for Business Owners,” at Exit Planning Institute’s (EPI) Certificate in Exit Planning (CEP) 2021 Webinar Series, Exit Planning Institute, Virtual (January 20, 2021)