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Overview

Garrett (“Garry”) draws on his solid knowledge of the tax code to help business owners and high-net-worth individuals.

Garry came to law with a business and accounting degree, expecting to work as a corporate attorney, but quickly discovered a fascination with estate planning. Drawn to his trusts and estates courses as a law student, he realized he could combine his tax background with estate planning. He went on to pursue an LL.M. degree with a focus in taxation so that he could offer clients in-depth tax planning alongside their estate plans.

Today, Garry assists high-net-worth individuals and their families with complex estate planning and accompanying tax concerns. He also handles probate and trust administration, often stepping in immediately after a death to shepherd family members and beneficiaries through the process.  He also represents beneficiaries in disputes involving wills or trusts.

Garry is licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and Florida and represents individuals and families throughout those states, with a particular focus on the St. Louis and Southern Illinois regions. His absolute favorite part of his work is building relationships with clients: he understands what a hugely personal area estate planning is, and he finds it deeply rewarding to help families plan for the future.

In addition to his work with trusts and estates, Garry also has a substantial corporate practice. With a business degree and a mind that readily adapts to corporate concerns, he serves as the first point of legal contact for closely-held businesses. The clients Garry serves represent a wide array of industries, including healthcare providers, restaurants, banks and financial institutions, construction companies, real estate developers, auto dealerships, and retailers. He regularly oversees the formation of entities; prepares and advises on partnership, shareholder, and buy-sell agreements; and advises on general tax planning and business succession planning.

Known as an approachable and personable professional, Garry is an attorney that clients simply like working with. He thrives on client connection and has a reputation as an attorney who keeps client goals front and center while maintaining focus on the bigger picture of those goals.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 2022-2024
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2020-2024
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers, Emerging Lawyers, 2016-2019

Education

  • LL.M., University of Miami School of Law
    • Taxation
  • J.D., University of Miami School of Law
  • B.B.A., University of Notre Dame

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • Missouri
  • Florida

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Illinois Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Florida Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Probate & Trust Committee


*Garry works from our St. Louis office and is available for meetings in Swansea, Illinois. Contact Garry via email or phone for in-person meetings. Use the St. Louis office address for mail/deliveries.
Experience
  • Provided complex tax and estate planning for a high-net-worth family with an estate valued over a billion dollars.
  • Assisted a banking institution as fiduciary for a trust and estate in the administration matters after the death of a client.
  • Assisted a client in the representation of the client's rights as beneficiary of a trust in a complex litigation matter.
  • Provided strategic advice, estate planning, and marital counsel for professional athletes.
  • Facilitated a lease arrangement that segregated liability for a thriving dental practice.
  • Provided outside general counsel to a construction company with multi-state operations and complex personal wealth and estate planning for the business owners.
  • Advised an entrepreneurial restaurant owner on proactive COVID-19 risk, liability, and business planning.
  • Assisted business owners with successful appeals on real estate property taxes.
  • Collaborated with construction-focused attorneys to provide representation for a general contractor to mitigate risk and reduce financial exposure.
  • Helped a real estate developer acquire new holdings for a residential project development while coordinating optimal estate and tax planning for family asset protection.
  • Served as first point of counsel to an auto dealership owner across growth, litigation, and personal legal matters.
  • Helped a start-up retail business owner with formation issues and production matters in the U.S. and globally.
  • Advised a product sales, distribution, and installation company with a strategic acquisition of a key longstanding distributor business.
  • Facilitated a stock sale to a family trust for an industrial manufacturing business to optimize family tax planning.
Outside the Office

Garry is a devoted sports fan who roots for St. Louis-area teams, especially the Cardinals and the Blues. He loves to play golf and tennis and has recently enjoyed learning pickleball as well.

Garry is also an avid traveler. Both he and his wife enjoy visiting new places, especially international destinations. The rest of their free time is often spent catering to their dog, Auggie, who was rescued from a shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Community Leadership
  • St. Louis Sports Commission; Board Member, 2016-present; Associates Board Member, 2008-2016; Vice Chair, 2013-2016
  • Memorial Hospital Foundation, Board Member, 2019-present
  • Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, 2014-present
  • Belleville CEO Class, Board Member, 2015-present
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois, 2012-2021
  • Garrett C. Reuter, Sr. Foundation, Founder and President, 2017-present