The American Bar Association’s Probate & Property magazine recently featured a two-part article series by Akerman tax lawyer Elizabeth Hughes discussing how conservation easement provisions in the tax code can help private landowners protect some of the nation’s most threatened species. Part I includes a review of the legislative intent behind conservation easement law. Part II of the article delves further into the current legal landscape surrounding conservation easements and pitfalls to avoid when practicing in this area of the law, along with some legislative proposals to help ease the most litigious areas.

Hughes’s practice focuses on fiduciary litigation, including litigation arising from estates, trusts, and guardianships. Elizabeth has not only represented clients in related matters but has served and continues to serve as court-appointed counsel, ad litem, estate curator, and guardian in Florida probate, trust, and guardianship matters. She has experience litigating and resolving will and trust contests, fiduciary fee disputes, determination of heir disputes, disputes over appointment of fiduciaries, removal of fiduciaries, surcharge actions, elective share disputes, and breaches of fiduciary obligations. She regularly assists individuals and clients serving as fiduciaries in reforming and construing wills and trusts, determining rights in wills and trusts, modifying trusts, and terminating trusts.

Hughes is based in Akerman's Miami office where she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Miami Dade Bar and Humane Society of Greater Miami's Board of Directors.

You can read Part I here and Part II here.