John Terrill II | Estate Planning

Heckscher, Teillon, Terrill & Sager, P.C.

John Terrill II | Heckscher, Teillon, Terrill & Sager, P.C.

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Firm Summary

Jack Terrill’s practice largely focuses on construction for clients with complex assets, such as businesses, real estate, and other significant assets. He is a nationally recognized authority on asset protection planning, which involves construction with attention given to the preservation and protection of assets from undue exposure to litigation or other claims.

Jack’s practice also includes charitable planning (particularly creating and operating foundations), estate settlement, and fiduciary litigation. He is also frequently engaged as an expert witness in matters involving estate and trust litigation. He has acted as a guardian ad litem to assist judges in evaluating complex construction and trust administration disputes.

Jack is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law, Taxation, and Law Practice Management Sections; the Pennsylvania Bar Association and its Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law Section; the Philadelphia Bar Association; and the Philadelphia Construction Council.

He has been listed as a top trust and estate lawyer in Philadelphia’s Best Lawyers, named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by Philadelphia Magazine, and received the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating. Jack is also recognized in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth guide as Band 1 Leader in the Field in Private Wealth Law in Pennsylvania.

Jack is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel where he served as the President in 2019. He was the founding chair of ACTEC’s Asset Protection Committee and is a member of the College’s Professional Responsibility, Asset Protection and Legal Education committees. He chaired ACTEC’s Task Force on FATF (the Financial Action Task Force) until 2016.

Jack was a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Law School where he taught Trusts and Estates. Before that, he was an adjunct professor in the graduate tax program at Villanova University for 15 years. He continues to teach and speak several times every year at professional meetings and bar associations across the country. His topics include asset protection planning and the impact of FATF on law practice.

PRACTICE AREAS

Asset Protection Planning
Charitable Planning
Estate Administration
Estate Planning
Fiduciary Litigation
Trusts
EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., cum laude (1976)
Dartmouth College, A.B. magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa (1973)
ADMISSIONS

Pennsylvania (1976)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

Philadelphia Bar Association
Chair, Probate and Trust Law Section (1995)
Natural Lands Trust
Chair, Board of Trustees (2013 – 2018)
Vice Chair, Board of Trustees (2001 – 2013)
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
Immediate Past President (2020)
President (2019)
President-Elect (2018)
Vice President (2017)
Executive Committee (2013 – 2017)
FATF Task Force Chair (2013 – 2016)
Pennsylvania State Chair (2012 – 2015)
Board of Regents (2010 – 2016)
Asset Protection Committee Chair (2006 – 2009)
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Member, Law School Advisory Board (2017 – Present)
The Baldwin School
Trustee (1998 – 2005)
TEACHING POSITONS

Lecturer, Graduate Tax Program, Villanova University School of Law (1987 – 2003)
Lecturer at Law, University of Pennsylvania (2010 – 2011)
HONORS AND AWARDS

Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Elected 1991
AV Rating, Martindale Hubbell
Chambers and Partners Leader in the Field, High Net Worth Guide (2017- present)
Philadelphia’s Best Lawyers (1993 – present)
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2004 – present)
Philadelphia Construction Council’s Distinguished Estate Planner, 2015 – 2016