Hallman & Associates Estate & Tax Planning

Dawn D. Hallman is the Principal Attorney and founder of Hallman & Associates, a premier boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to sophisticated estate and tax planning. Nationally recognized for her strategic insight and creativity, Dawn has spent more than two decades guiding affluent families in preserving their legacies, protecting generational wealth, and minimizing tax exposure through advanced planning techniques.

A respected thought leader in her field, Dawn has authored numerous professional articles and papers and co-authored the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Electronic Form Book on Estate Planning. She is widely known for pioneering the use of Installment Sales Trusts—also referred to as Deferred Sales Trusts—an innovative tax strategy designed to reduce capital gains taxes on the sale of highly appreciated assets and closely held businesses. In recognition of her contributions, the American Cancer Society honored Dawn as the 2023 Estate Planning Ambassador of the Year.

Dawn’s professional excellence has earned her consistent recognition, including Oklahoma Magazine’s “Top Attorneys in Oklahoma,” 405 Magazine’s “Top Attorney – Wills & Trusts,” and The National Advocates’ “Top 100 Lawyers in Estate Planning.” Martindale-Hubbell has awarded her its highest distinctions—AV Preeminent Attorney™, AV Preeminent Judicial Edition™, Super Lawyer™ in Wills & Trusts, and Top 1%—reflecting both peer and judicial acclaim. She was also named the American Cancer Society’s inaugural National Professional Advisor of the Year in 2017.

Dawn Hallman’s practice is intentionally limited to high-level estate and tax planning, with a particular emphasis on large estates and complex wealth‑preservation strategies. Her areas of focus include:
• Advanced wealth transfer planning
• Revocable, irrevocable, charitable, and special needs trusts
• Family limited partnerships and family LLCs
• Trust administration
• Tax minimization strategies
• Business structuring and succession planning for closely held enterprises

A dynamic keynote speaker and nationally recognized educator, Dawn captivates audiences with presentations that are both engaging and richly informative. Her extensive experience with ultra-high-net-worth families, combined with her deep background in tax and business law, uniquely equips her to resolve even the most complex estate planning challenges with clarity, creativity, and precision.

Noteworthy

• 2023 – Estate Planning Ambassador of the Year 2023 – awarded by American Cancer Society
• 2026 - AV Preeminent Attorney™ - Judicial Edition, Martindale Hubbell (2014 – Present)
• 2026 - AV Preeminent Attorney™, Martindale Hubbell (2014 – Present)
• 2025 - America's Most Honored Professionals - Top 1%, Martindale Hubbell (2016 – Present)
• 2025 - 405 Magazine, Top Attorney for Wills & Trusts (2020 – 2025)
• 2025 - Super Lawyers – Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate Attorney for Oklahoma (2019 – Present)
• 2025 – Top Attorneys in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Magazine (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025)
• 2025 - 10.0 AVVO - Top Rated Lawyer (2021 – Present)
• 2021 - Top Attorney & Rising Stars, Oklahoma Magazine (November, 2021)
• 2020 - Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates (2016 – 2020)
• 2020, 2019 & 2015 – Client Distinction Award, Martindale Hubbell
• 2018 - Top Lawyers in Oklahoma, Legal Network honoring the Highest in Ethical Standards and Professional Excellence (2013, 2015, 2016, 2018)
• 2017 – National Professional Advisor of the Year, American Cancer Society
• Appointed Council Member, Nationwide Gift Planning Advisor Council (NGPAC), American Cancer Society (2017 – Present) Chairman 2022, 2023
• 2016 – Chairperson for the Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Section, Oklahoma Bar Association
• 2014 – Charter Member of Legacy Rotary Club in Norman, Oklahoma
• 2012 – “Who’s Who for Executives and Professionals,” National Association of Professional Women
• 2011 – Top Estate Planning Attorneys in Oklahoma, Five Star Program
• 2010 – Top Wealth Managers in Oklahoma, Martindale Hubbell

Publications

• 2019 – Deferred Sales Trust – What’s All the Hype?, Volume 90, Oklahoma Bar Journal (February 2019)
• Electronic Form Book - Estate Planning, Oklahoma Bar Association (Co-Author)
• 2017 – One Size Doesn’t Fit All With Estate Plans, The Voice of Experience, ABA Senior Lawyers Division, Vol. 2, Issue 3 (March 2017)https://www.americanbar.org/publications/voice_of_experience/2017/march-2017/wills-and-revocable-trusts--one-size-doesn-t-fit-all.html
• 2017 – Oklahoma City Community Foundation, featured as "an expert in estate and tax planning"
• 2014 – Oklahoma Society of CPAs Financial Fitness Kit

Activities & Memberships

• Chairman, Nationwide Gift Planning Advisor Council (NGPAC), American Cancer Society
• All In Against Cancer Cabinet Member, American Cancer Society
• Oklahoma Bar Association, Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section (Chairperson, 2016; Executive Board 2025-2026)
• Oklahoma Estate Planning Council
• WealthCounsel Member, Estate Planning and Tax Planning
• American Bar Association

Practice Jurisdictions

• Oklahoma

Carrie Jones serves as the Executive Administrator and the cornerstone of operations at Hallman & Associates. For more than eleven years, Carrie has been the driving force behind the firm’s Estate Planning team, overseeing all stages of client engagement, workflow coordination, and service delivery. Her leadership ensures that every client who walks through our doors experiences the precision, responsiveness, and concierge‑level service that define our practice.

In addition to managing the Estate Planning division, Carrie has played a central role in the administration and coordination of the Deferred Installment Sales Trust team, supporting complex planning strategies with her hallmark attention to detail and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her ability to manage high‑level planning matters while maintaining seamless day‑to‑day operations has made her an indispensable asset to both the firm and our clients.

Known for her exceptional organizational insight and client‑centric approach, Carrie is often the first point of contact and the steady hand guiding clients throughout their planning journey. She ensures that every detail is handled with care, every question is answered promptly, and every matter progresses smoothly. Her dedication reflects the high standards upon which Hallman & Associates has been built.

Carrie’s deep institutional knowledge, operational leadership, and authentic commitment to client relationships position her as the central figure who keeps our firm running at the highest level. She embodies the professionalism, warmth, and precision that our clients have come to expect and trust.

All speaking engagement inquiries should be directed to Carrie at: cjones @ hallmanlawoffice.com.

Paul Kolker, Of Counsel, is a Civil Litigator that assists our Texas clients.