Carolyn Wenzel

Trusts and estates

Private wealth law

Governance

Tax

Advocacy

Non-profit law

Carolyn Wenzel represents companies, tax-exempt organizations, families and individuals in the areas of governance, tax, advocacy, estate and trust administration and estate planning.

She regularly counsels nonprofit entities and tax-exempt organizations, including public charities, private foundations, trade and professional associations, and religious and educational organizations in the areas of formation, investment decision-making, endowment fund establishment and modification, governance and business planning, regulatory compliance, tax-exemption qualification, dispute resolution, mergers and dissolution.

Carolyn advises families and individuals in business succession, tax and estate planning, estate and trust administration, and fiduciary compliance. She drafts wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, and a variety of irrevocable trusts. She regularly handles probate and trust administration, as well as tax strategy and tax minimization techniques for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and couples.

Her experience includes helping national and Tennessee-based companies with tax planning and problem solving related to Tennessee state and local taxes, including refund claims, voluntary disclosures, audits, administrative conferences and hearings, and judicial appeals. Her representations include controversy work in sales and use tax, business tax, and local property tax for commercial and industrial property owners.

Carolyn is widely recognized by her peers for her contributions to the profession. The Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide has ranked her Band 2 for her work in Private Wealth Law, while Best Lawyers in America® has listed her in the areas of Litigation – Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy – Tax; Non-Profit/Charities Law; and Trusts and Estates. Best Lawyers in America® has also recognized Carolyn as its “Lawyer of the Year” in Nashville for Non-Profit/Charities Law and for Litigation – Trusts and Estates.

Carolyn is a Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Estate Planning and Probate and Tax Law Sections, Tennessee Bar Association

Member, Estate Planning and Probate Section, Nashville Bar Association

Member, State Bar of Michigan

Member, Tennessee Board of Law Examiners – appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court (2022 – present)

Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation

Member, International Women’s Forum, Tennessee Chapter

Member, Leadership Nashville (Class of 2016)

Board Member, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (2026 – present)

FiftyForward Endowment Board Member (2025 – present)

Founders’ Advisory Board Member, Studio Bank (2018 – present)

Board Member, United Methodist Foundation for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference (2012 – 2024)

Member, Board of Trustees, Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, United Methodist Church (2015 – 2024)

Board Member, Community of St. Mary (2014 – 2024)

Board Member, Immunization Action Coalition (Immunize.org) (2021 – 2024)

Member, Electric Power Board, Nashville Electric Service (2015 – 2021)

Board Member, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, General Counsel (2020 – 2021)

Board Member, Nashville Symphony (2018 – 2024)

Member, Mayor’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (2016 – 2017)

Board Member, Nashville Opera (2011 – 2017), President (2015 – 2016)

Board Member, Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville (2009 – 2017)

Board Member, Calvary Young Children’s School (2014 – 2016)

Board Member, FiftyForward (2009 – 2015)

Grand Valley State University, M.S. in Taxation, 2002

University of Kansas, J.D., M.A. in Philosophy, 1993

Hollins University, B.A., cum laude, 1989

Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Non-Profit/Charities Law (2016, 2019); Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2002)

Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2013 – 2026); Litigation and Controversy – Tax (2013 – 2026); Non-Profit/Charities Law (2012 – 2026); Trusts and Estates (2020 – 2026)

Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law (2024 – 2026)

FiftyForward Harriet Foley Leadership Award (2015)

Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated

Mid-South Super Lawyers, Tax (2015 – 2021)

Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar” (2014 – 2015, 2018)

Nashville Business Journal “Women of Influence” Awards Finalist (2013)

Tennessee Supreme Court Attorneys for Justice Pro Bono Honor Roll (2014 – 2016, 2018 – 2020, 2023)