Lisa Cukier is a Partner in Rubin and Rudman’s Family Law, Litigation, and Trusts and Estates departments. With a practice split among complex trust and estate litigation, service as a trustee and conservator, and sophisticated high-asset family law matters and family business disputes, Lisa is considered one of the most tactical, strategic, passionate, and creative attorneys in her field. Additionally, she has a niche practice in matters impacted by diminishing capacity, such as undue influence, financial exploitation controversies, and guardianship and conservatorship strategic intervention matters. Lisa has earned a reputation as an attorney to whom other attorneys often refer their exceedingly complicated or “unresolvable” cases.
Distinguished for her unwavering commitment to safeguarding her clients’ interests, Lisa surpasses traditional legal counsel to offer first-class services to high-net-worth clients. She is renowned for navigating complex legal matters with discretion and precision and seamlessly integrating legal expertise with bespoke client care. She serves as trustee, guardian, and conservator for her clients upon request.
Lisa serves as an expert witness for other fiduciary litigators. She is also periodically appointed by probate court judges to serve as a special master to investigate or make recommendations to the court and the litigants in high-profile and crisis matters. In this role, she engineers the case resolution, executing strategic action plans and monitoring compliance with court orders. She is often asked by the courts to serve as guardian ad litem for minor children in contentious divorce and trust disputes and to represent elders who are at risk of financial exploitation by third parties.
Over the years, she has helped shape laws and taken on pro bono matters to redress inequities and inequalities for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with cognitive disabilities and mental illness, children needing adoption, financially exploited elders, and children experiencing gender variance.
Lisa regularly works with family offices, providing legal solutions to protect the infrastructure of client wealth and family stability amid destabilizing events. Such events can include incapacity, death, divorce, blended family strife, mental health or addiction issues, and outside variables such as late-life romance and the influence of third parties in the lives of elders experiencing dementia and diminished capacity.
Recognized for her expertise and skill, Lisa is a frequent speaker on trust and estate litigation, estate planning, and family law, including undue influence and financial exploitation of elders.
Recognition and Awards
- Recipient, MCLE 2024 Scholar-Mentor Award
- Lawdragon 500: Leading Family Lawyer, 2024-2025
- Selected, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2024 Circle of Excellence
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, Best Lawyer, Family Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates, 2010-2025
- Named, Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Family Law, 2021-2024
- Selected, Massachusetts Super Lawyers List, 2005-2024
- Named, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, “Top Women of Law”, 2019
- Named, Profiles in Diversity Journal, Women Worth Watching® List, 2018
- Named, National Law Journal, Divorce, Trusts & Estates Trailblazer, 2017
- MBA Community Service Award at the MLGBA Annual Dinner, 2006
- Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers, “Woman of Distinction In Law and Public Service”, 2005
Professional and Community Involvement
- Leadership Community, Boston Probate and Estate Planners Forum, 2021-2023
- Leadership Committee, Boston Estate Planning Council, 2020-2022
- Women’s Bar Association Women’s Leadership Initiative, 2020-2021
- Member, Boston Bar Association
- Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Massachusetts Family and Probate Inn of Court
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Quoted, “Probate judge finds will made under conservatorship invalid,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (October 17, 2024)
- Presenter, 12th Annual Probate Law Conference, Massachusetts Bar Association (November 22, 2024)
- Speaker, “Representing Grandparents as Guardians,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (October 28, 2024)
- Panelist, “Estate and Trust Litigation Involving Decedent's Intentions and the Actual Disposition of Assets on Death,” Social Law Library (October 8, 2024)
- Guest Speaker, “Late Life New Romance and Financial Exploitation and Undue Influence Claims,” Wealth Beyond Riches Post with Abbey Henderson (September 23, 2024)
- Speaker, “Special Education Impacts & Strategies for Divorce Lawyers and Guardianship & Conservatorship Lawyers,” Social Law Library (November 19, 2024)
- Featured Guest, “Protecting a Business From Divorce,” Radio Entrepreneurs (September 3, 2024)
- Featured Guest, “Unstoppable Success Mindset Expert with Michele Gennoe,” (August 6, 2024)
- Featured Guest, “Dishing on Divorce,” VESTA (July 2, 2024)
- Featured Guest, “Succeeding Through Mid-Life and Late Life Divorce,” Impact Makers Radio with Stewart Andrew Alexander (June 2024)
- Quoted, “Empowering communities of color: the importance of estate planning,” Boston Globe (June 5, 2024)
- Presenter, “A Modern Woman Attorney’s Guide to Legal & Financial Success: Family & Estate Law Tips and Financial Considerations Throughout the Decades,” The Women's Bar Association (February 2024)
- Guest, “Interview with Lisa Cukier, Attorney and Behavioral Health Specialist,” Mental Health Matters Podcast (February 2024)
- Speaker, “Family Law Year in Review (2023),” Social Law Library (January 2024)
- Speaker, “Midlife Wealthy Divorce and Blended Next Families,” FSP Institute (January 2024)
- Speaker, “Probate and Family Court’s Fiduciary Litigation Session Year-in-Review,” Social Law Library (January 2024)
- Author, “Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts and "Opportunities" in Divorce,” Massachusetts Law Review (November 2023)
- Author, “Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts and “Opportunities” in Divorce,” Massachusetts Law Review (November 2023)
- Chair, “Strategic Management of Multi-Practice Area & Multi-Court Law Practices,” MCLE New England (November 2023)
- Speaker, “Important Planning Considerations for Clients in the Midst of Divorce,” Worthy Circles (November 2023)
- Chair, “Tax Issues in Choice of Entity & Succession Planning,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. Program (October 2023)
- Speaker, “The Strategic Intersections of Guardianship & Divorce,” Greater Newburyport Bar Association (October 2023)
- Panelist, “Massachusetts Bar Association & Massachusetts Probate and Family Court Training Program” (October 2023)
- Speaker, “Addressing Crises in Family Situations,” O’Connor Professional Group Program: “Remaining a Trusted Confidant When Families Need You Most: A Symposium of Legal, Financial, and Clinical Experts” (September 2023)
- Speaker, “Ready to Thrive: Taking Care of Your Family and Yourself,” 7th Annual MetroWest Conference for Women (September 2023)
- Speaker, “The Intersection of Divorce and Estate Planning,” Cerity Partners Webinar (July 2023)
- Speaker, “Family Trusts in a Divorce,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (May 2023)
- Panelist, “Blended Family Strife – Adult Children Versus Stepparent,” Social Law Library Family Law Fiduciary Litigation & Trusts & Estates Series (November 2022)
- Panelist, “Guardianships and Conservatorships in Blended Families,” Massachusetts Bar Association 10th Annual Probate Law Conference (November 2022)
- Panelist, “The Many Faces of Elder Abuse: What to Do When You Suspect Abuse,” ,” 2022 ABA Senior Lawyers Division Fall Meeting (October 2022)
- Panelist, “Fiduciary & Trust Account Dreams & Nightmares,” MCLE New England (October 2022)
- Panelist, “Elder Law and Elder Financial Exploitation and Undue Influence Matters,” Florida Bar Association Elder Law Section Annual Retreat (September 2022)
- Panelist, “Pre-Nuptial and Decanting as Tools to Protect Inheritance Expectations,” Social Law Library Family Law, Fiduciary Litigation and Trusts & Estates Series (September 2022)
- Panelist, “The Perils of Late Life Romance,” Greater Newburyport Bar Association (June 2022)
- Panelist, “Family Trusts in a Divorce,” MCLE New England Workshop (May 2022)
- Panelist, “Checklist for Family Business Succession Planning,” MCLE Webcast (February 2022)
- Panelist, “First Annual Divorce and Fiduciary Litigation Case Law Year in Review,” Social Law Library (January 2022)
- Speaker, “Mid-Life Wealthy Divorce,” New Hampshire Estate Planning Council (November 2021)
- Panelist, “Remote Depositions During the Pandemic,” Massachusetts Bar Association’s 9th Annual Probate Conference (November 2021)
- Speaker, “Financial Exploitation & Undue Influence by Romantic Partners, Adult Children, Paid Caregivers & Neighbors,” MCLE New England (September 2021)
- Speaker, “Dissecting Nuanced Trust Issues,” Greater Newburyport Bar Association (September 2021)
- Quoted, “Britney Spears’ Father Agrees To Step Down As Conservator,” InvestmentNews (August 2021)
- Author, “Conservatorship Questions Raised by Britney Spears Case,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (August 2021)
- Quoted, “Britney Spears’ Struggle for Independence Puts a Spotlight on Conservatorships,” InvestmentNews (July 2021)
- Guest Speaker, “Money Management Implications for Those Who Meet Later in Life,” Radio Entrepreneurs (July 2021)
- Quoted, “Britney Spears Has Been Granted Permission To Hire Her Own Lawyer. Here’s What To Know About Her Legal Battle,” The Washington Post (July 2021)
- Presenter, “LGBTQ Estate Planning,” The Harvest Group (June 2021)
- Speaker, “Divorce and the Marital Home: Prenuptial/Postnuptial Real Estate Planning,” The Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts (June 2021)
- Panelist, “2021 Heckerling Recap: Panel Discussion,” Boston Estate Planning Council (May 2021)
- Host, “Inside Out: Family Business Risk Management,” Burns & Levinson’s Business of Family Webinar Series (May 2021)
- Speaker, “Protecting Real Estate (and other assets) in Marriage & Divorce Using Trusts,” The Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts (May 2021)
- Panelist, “Trusts & Estates – Strategies to Protect Trusts from Divorce Actions and Reach & Apply Actions,” Social Law Library (May 2021)
- Presenter, “Pandemic-Adapted Legal Remedies to Optimize Mental Health Treatment in the Community?,” Harvard Medical School’s MMHC Noon Conference Series (April 2021)
- Speaker, “Financial Exploitation & Undue Influence Issues Affecting Real Estate Conveyancing,” The Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts (April 2021)
- Panelist, “Fiduciary Litigation – Objections to Estates, In Terrorem Clauses, and Suitability Claims,” Social Law Library (April 2021)
- Panelist, “Divorce and Family Law – The Rapidly Evolving Law of Alimony under the Flurry of Recent Decisions,” Social Law Library (March 2021)
- Interview, “Q&A with Lisa Cukier, Family Law Attorney at Burns & Levinson,” Boston Citybizlist (March 2021)
- Host, “Protecting Family Governance in an Evolving Economy,” Burns & Levinson’s Business of Family Webinar Series (March 2021)
- Panelist, “Balancing the Scales,” Social Law Library (March 2021)
- Panelist, “Financial Exploitation and Undue Influence by Romantic Interests, Adult Children, Paid Caregivers and Neighbors,” Boston Estate Planning Council (February 2021)
- Speaker, “Shifting & Pivoting Your Practice & Perspective in the COVID-19 World,” MCLE New England (February 2021)
- Speaker, “Special Needs Trusts for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum,” Washington trust (February 2021)
- Host, “Considerations for Mental Health + Special Needs,” Burns & Levinson’s Business of Family Webinar Series (January 2021)
- Host, “Protecting the Matriarch and Patriarch,” Burns & Levinson’s Business of Family Webinar Series (December 2020)
- Co-Presenter, “Why Trusts/Estates Lawyers Need to Know Divorce Law Basics of Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts, and Other Interests,” Massachusetts Bar Association Eighth Annual Probate Law Conference (November 2020)
- Co-Presenter, “Why Trusts/Estates Lawyers Need to Know Divorce Law Basics of Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts, and Other Interests,” Massachusetts Bar Association Eighth Annual Probate Law Conference (November 2020)
- Guest, “Q&A with Leading Divorce Attorneys at Burns & Levinson,” Boston Citybizlist (October 2020)
- Host, “Dividing Assets: What Happens to Family Trusts in Divorce?,” Burns & Levinson’s Divorce Law Monitor (October 2020)
- Guest Speaker, “Adapting to the New Normal,” Radio Entrepreneurs (October 2020)
- Speaker, “19 Fiduciary Law Solutions During COVID-19,” Social Law Library (October 2020)
- Host, “The Business of Family: Protecting Finances During Transition and Economic Uncertainty,” Burns & Levinson (September 2020)
- Speaker, “Co-Parenting Challenges: Blended Families,” Vesta Divorce (September 2020)
- Speaker, “Co-Parenting Challenges: Managing Difficult Communication,” Vesta Divorce (August 2020)
- Co-Host, “It’s About You: Your Family & Assets During Uncertain Time,” Weston Financial Group (August 2020)
- Speaker, “Co-Parenting Challenges During the Pandemic: Reducing Stress in Transitions,” Vesta Divorce (July 2020)
- Featured Guest, “Pandemic-Adapted Legal Remedies to Optimize Mental Health Treatment,” Mental Horizons Podcast (July 2020)
- Featured Guest, “Building a Concierge Law Practice to Address Family Conflict and Mental Health Issues,” Counsel to Counsel Podcast with Stephen Seckler (July 2020)
- Co-Host, “Managing Clients with Behavioral Health Issues During and Beyond COVID-19 – The Legal and Clinical Implications,” The O’Connor Professional Group (June 2020)
- Speaker, “Divorce Impacted by Family Business Interests, Trusts, and Inheritance,” VESTA Divorce (June 2020)
- Host, “Wealth Preservation During Volatility: Protecting Family Trusts From Unexpected Death and Divorce,” Northern Trust Company (May 2020)
- Host, “Divorce Impacted by Mental Illness, Addictions, Affairs, and Children Who Have Special Needs,” VESTA: Redefining Divorce (May 2020)
- Host, “Estate Planning and Estate Litigation,” Newton Community Education (May 2020)
- Host, “Divorce Impacted by Family Trusts, Inheritances, Gifts, and Family Business Interests,” VESTA: Redefining Divorce (May 2020)
- Speaker, “NAGLREP Greater Boston Lunch & Learn,” National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (March 2020)
- Host, “Understanding Fiduciary Relationships and Accounts” (February 2020)
- Speaker, “Legal Strategies of Intervention for Frail Elderly Psychiatric Patients,” Harvard Medical School (February 2020)
- Speaker, “Legal Remedies to Mitigate Mental Health Crises,” Mental Horizons Podcast (September 2019)
- Speaker, “Legal Planning for Children with Special Needs,” Newton Community Education (April 2019)
- Speaker, “Estate Planning and Trust/Estate Litigation,” Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education (March 2019)
- Speaker, “The Legal and Wealth Management Alliance to Leveraging Treatment Recovery” (March 2019)
- Speaker, “Divorce: Legal Basis,” Newton Community Education (January 2019)
- Speaker, “Solving Real Life Family Crises with Guardianship & Conservatorship and Trusts” (January 2019)
- Speaker, “Estate Planning, Probate, & Estate Litigation,” Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education (November 2018)
- Speaker, “Advanced Issues in Guardianship and Conservatorship,” Massachusetts Bar Association Probate Litigation Annual Conference (November 2018)
- Chair, “Fiduciary Account Nightmares,” MCLE Webcast Seminar (October 2018)
- Speaker, “Estate Planning, Probate, & Estate Litigation,” Newton Community Education (October 2018)
- Moderator, “Mitigating and Remediating Family Law Nightmares at the Intersection of Estate Planning, Financial Planning and Family Asset Disputes,” BEPC Members Round Table Breakfast (October 2018)
- Author, “Facebook: Control of Electronic Data and Social Media Sites When You Are Gone,” Boston Spirit Magazine (November - December 2017)
- Author, “Leveraging Addiction Recovery in Parents by Use of Guardianship of Minors,” Boston Spirit Magazine (September - October 2017)
- Contributing Author, “Who Takes on Your Death: Your Spouse/Partner or Your Children?,” Boston Spirit Magazine (March - April 2017)
- Author and Editor, “Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court,” MCLE eBook (November 2016)
- Quoted, “MassBar Educates: Faculty Spotlight,” Massachusetts Lawyers Journal (February 2015)
- Author, “Look Out for the Financial Exploitation of your Family Members!,” Boston Spirit Magazine (September - October 2014)
- Guest, “Urban Update: Diversity in the Workplace,” WHDH Channel 7 (June 2014)
- Author, “Divorce When Your Home State Denies Your Marriage,” Boston Spirit Magazine (January - February 2014)
- Author, “Marriage, Divorce & Parentage In this Post-Goodridge, Post-Windsor World,” Boston Spirit Magazine (November - December 2013)
- Quoted, “Weston attorneys named to ‘The Best Lawyers in America’,” Wicked Local Weston (September 2013)
- Quoted, “Same-sex ruling brings tax benefits for art world professionals,” The Art Newspaper (July 2013)