Amanda “Mandy” C. Agins
Involved with the Community Foundation since 2014
How Mandy’s work fuels the power of community:
In the realm of trusts and estates, few attorneys stand out like Mandy Agins. Mandy has been recognized by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America for her high-caliber work in trusts and estates, and by Super Lawyers as an Upstate New York Rising Star. Known as much for her legal acumen as her unwavering commitment to clients, Mandy is reviving the lost art of connecting through conversation. “When you’re talking about family, money, mortality, and legacy, the dialogue is inevitably meaningful,” Mandy shares.
Mandy’s involvement with the Community Foundation, including prior service on the Professional Advisors Liaison Committee, underscores her enthusiasm for philanthropy. “Staying connected to the Community Foundation reminds me how accessible, customized, and fun charitable giving can be. You don’t have to buy a table at the Met Gala to embrace the mindset of philanthropy,” Mandy says. “But if anyone has an extra ticket next year, call me.”
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to many in the legal profession, particularly trusts and estates attorneys. Mandy reflects on the pandemic as a watershed moment, marked by an overwhelming demand for her counsel. “I think all lawyers who love their work will say that the legal profession is incredibly satisfying, but also exhausting. This especially rang true during the pandemic. COVID cast a shadow of uncertainty over most aspects of daily life, prompting many clients to dust off their legal documents and think about their estate plans. I think everyone felt like a piñata — the hits just kept on coming. But there were also unexpected surprises. For me, I will never again take for granted the ability to greet a client with a handshake or hug.”
Mandy’s advice for client conversations:
Mandy’s approach to engaging clients in discussions about philanthropy is both simple and profound. She finds that asking a simple question can spark deep, personal revelations — even with clients she knows very well. She recently asked a longstanding client, “Are there any specific charities you would like to mention in your obituary?” This segued into an in-depth discussion of the client’s hobbies, passions, and definition of legacy. “It shifted the kaleidoscope, as all good conversations do. Getting to know clients on a personal level is the most rewarding part of my work,” Mandy says. “That said, when strategic charitable giving results in tax savings, it is an adrenaline rush like no other.” (Check out the latest news on the estate tax exemption so your clients can be as savvy as Mandy and her clients when it comes to planning ahead and maximizing tax savings.)
Mandy is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Rochester and the New York and Monroe County Bar Associations. She is also a former member of the Professional Advisor Liaison Committee at the Community Foundation. Mandy can often be found behind the podium at educational events hosted by the Community Foundation and other conveners, translating complex legalese around estate planning into accessible language for fellow attorneys and other professional advisors.
Published August 2024