Sullivan
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Biography

Carole is the leader of Sullivan's Private Clients/Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She advises moderate- and high-net-worth clients in all aspects of estate and wealth transfer planning. She works closely with individuals and families to structure sophisticated, tax-efficient plans designed to minimize estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes and to effectuate non-tax objectives. Carole’s clients include professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers and others.

Carole also represents clients in the preparation and negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She represents complex and blended families with their special estate planning needs and assists clients in estate matters relating to divorce and remarriage. In addition, Carole is well known for advising clients on cutting-edge estate planning issues involving the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Her practice also includes working with clients on estate administration and representing individual and corporate fiduciaries and estate beneficiaries in Surrogate’s Court proceedings.

Carole is a peer-elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and frequently lectures on topics relating to assisted reproductive technology, estate planning and divorce, and premarital agreements. She has presented to national and local professional organizations, including the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, the American Bar Association (Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section and Family Law Section), the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys, the New York State Society of CPAs and the New York City Estate Planning Council. Her articles on these topics have appeared in publications such as Trusts & Estates Magazine, Estate Planning Magazine and the New York Law Journal and she has been quoted in national publications, including the Wall Street Journal and Forbes.

Education
  • Cornell University Law School (J.D.)
  • S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University (M.S.)
  • State University of New York at Binghamton (B.A.)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • New York
  • Connecticut
  • U.S. Tax Court
Professional Qualifications
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
    • Member, ACTEC Family Law Task Force
  • American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law (RPTE)
    • Member, RPTE Section Council
    • Member, Nominations Committee
    • Advisor, Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education
    • Immediate Past Co-Chair, Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education
    • Council Representative, Charitable Organizations Group
    • Advisor, Standing Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • American Bar Association (ABA)
    • Member, Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education (SCOCLE)
    • SCOCLE Liaison to the ABA Section Officers Conference
    • Member, Advisory Commission to the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (2022-2025)
Awards & Honors
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2024-2026)
  • Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York (2025-2026)
  • New York Super Lawyers (2013-2026)
Community Engagement
  • Board of Directors, Gilda's Club Westchester
Sullivan Ranked in 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Boston, MA – Sullivan & Worcester has announced that the firm and its attorneys have been highly ranked in the 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide. In the 2026 Guide, the firm and partner Carole Bass were again ranked in the Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York category, with partner Douglas Schneidman newly ranked. Rankings are based on extensive research and interviews with peers and clients around the country. The qualities assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by the client. Client Comments and Editorial from Chambers Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York “Sullivan & Worcester advises families, fiduciaries and family offices on domestic and international estate planning, administration, and charitable and lifetime gifting.” “The Sullivan & Worcester team were excellent at managing complex issues pertaining to the execution of wills, trusts and estates.” “I found Sullivan & Worcester to be very responsive, professional and smart.” “Sullivan & Worcester's advice is comprehensive, timely and detailed. It takes into account multiple stakeholders and challenges, and they provide clarification for issues that are complex.” “Carole Bass advises affluent clients on their estate and wealth transfer planning.” “Carole Bass offers excellent advice and counsel. I look forward to continuing to work with her.” “I found Carole to be very professional, reasonable and knowledgeable.” “Douglas Schneidman regularly advises high net worth individuals on trust and estate matters.” “I have had only favourable experiences with all clients I've referred to Douglas Schneidman.” “Douglas's abilities and professionalism play well at all levels of net worth and complexity.” About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a premier, AmLaw 200 international law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best-in-class client service.
Sullivan Attorneys Selected to 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Super Lawyers has named 13 attorneys from Sullivan's New York office to its 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Attorneys are recognized for excellence in the practice of law, rated by a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The recipients of this designation will be featured in New York Metro Super Lawyers magazine and The New York Times. The following Sullivan attorneys have been named 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers: Carole Bass - Estate & Probate Keri Wintle Costello - Bankruptcy: Business Scott Kaufman - Mergers & Acquisitions Gerry Silver - General Litigation Michael Sullivan - Business Litigation Joel Telpner - Business/Corporate The following Sullivan attorneys have been named 2026 New York Metro Rising Stars: Joonas Aho - Securities & Corporate Finance Molly Depew - Estate & Probate Anna Lea (Setz) McNerney - Business Litigation Michael Palmisciano - Intellectual Property Christopher Shields - Business Litigation Zachary Sobel - Securities & Corporate Finance Ida Vanto - Mergers & Acquisitions

Carole M. Bass

Carole M. Bass

Carole is the leader of Sullivan's Private Clients/Trusts & Estates Practice Group. She advises moderate- and high-net-worth clients in all aspects of estate and wealth transfer planning. She works closely with individuals and families to structure sophisticated, tax-efficient plans designed to minimize estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes and to effectuate non-tax objectives. Carole’s clients include professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers and others.

Carole also represents clients in the preparation and negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She represents complex and blended families with their special estate planning needs and assists clients in estate matters relating to divorce and remarriage. In addition, Carole is well known for advising clients on cutting-edge estate planning issues involving the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Her practice also includes working with clients on estate administration and representing individual and corporate fiduciaries and estate beneficiaries in Surrogate’s Court proceedings.

Carole is a peer-elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and frequently lectures on topics relating to assisted reproductive technology, estate planning and divorce, and premarital agreements. She has presented to national and local professional organizations, including the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, the American Bar Association (Real Property, Trusts and Estates Section and Family Law Section), the American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys, the New York State Society of CPAs and the New York City Estate Planning Council. Her articles on these topics have appeared in publications such as Trusts & Estates Magazine, Estate Planning Magazine and the New York Law Journal and she has been quoted in national publications, including the Wall Street Journal and Forbes.

Sullivan Ranked in 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Boston, MA – Sullivan & Worcester has announced that the firm and its attorneys have been highly ranked in the 2026 Chambers High Net Worth Guide. In the 2026 Guide, the firm and partner Carole Bass were again ranked in the Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York category, with partner Douglas Schneidman newly ranked. Rankings are based on extensive research and interviews with peers and clients around the country. The qualities assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by the client. Client Comments and Editorial from Chambers Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York “Sullivan & Worcester advises families, fiduciaries and family offices on domestic and international estate planning, administration, and charitable and lifetime gifting.” “The Sullivan & Worcester team were excellent at managing complex issues pertaining to the execution of wills, trusts and estates.” “I found Sullivan & Worcester to be very responsive, professional and smart.” “Sullivan & Worcester's advice is comprehensive, timely and detailed. It takes into account multiple stakeholders and challenges, and they provide clarification for issues that are complex.” “Carole Bass advises affluent clients on their estate and wealth transfer planning.” “Carole Bass offers excellent advice and counsel. I look forward to continuing to work with her.” “I found Carole to be very professional, reasonable and knowledgeable.” “Douglas Schneidman regularly advises high net worth individuals on trust and estate matters.” “I have had only favourable experiences with all clients I've referred to Douglas Schneidman.” “Douglas's abilities and professionalism play well at all levels of net worth and complexity.” About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a premier, AmLaw 200 international law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best-in-class client service.
Sullivan Attorneys Selected to 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Super Lawyers has named 13 attorneys from Sullivan's New York office to its 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Attorneys are recognized for excellence in the practice of law, rated by a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The recipients of this designation will be featured in New York Metro Super Lawyers magazine and The New York Times. The following Sullivan attorneys have been named 2026 New York Metro Super Lawyers: Carole Bass - Estate & Probate Keri Wintle Costello - Bankruptcy: Business Scott Kaufman - Mergers & Acquisitions Gerry Silver - General Litigation Michael Sullivan - Business Litigation Joel Telpner - Business/Corporate The following Sullivan attorneys have been named 2026 New York Metro Rising Stars: Joonas Aho - Securities & Corporate Finance Molly Depew - Estate & Probate Anna Lea (Setz) McNerney - Business Litigation Michael Palmisciano - Intellectual Property Christopher Shields - Business Litigation Zachary Sobel - Securities & Corporate Finance Ida Vanto - Mergers & Acquisitions