Megan N. Watkins
Partner
Profile
Ms.Watkins is a partner of Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, LLP. She focuses her practice in the area of fiduciary litigation, primarily involving trust, estate, and guardianship disputes, representing parties on both sides of the docket. Ms.Watkins also represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in connection with probate procedures, trust and estate administration, guardianship administration, and trust terminations and modifications. Additionally, Ms.Watkins handles appeals of all types of civil matters, especially those arising from and involving trusts, estates, wills, probate matters, and guardianships.
Education
- The University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 2015)
- The University of California – Los Angeles (B.A., History and Political Science, College Honors, 2012)
Professional Memberships and Honors
- Selected for inclusion in the 2nd–5th Editions of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the practice area of Trusts and Estates Litigation (2022 to present)
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, sponsored by Thomson Reuters and published in Texas Monthly (2022 - present)
- REPTL Leadership Academy Class of 2020–2021
- Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy Class of 2019–2020
- Board Member, Austin Bar Association, Estate Planning & Probate Section
- Member, State Bar of Texas (Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section)
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, International Bar Association
- Member, Austin Bar Association
- Member, Austin Young Lawyers Association
- Member, National Association of Charitable Gift Planning
- Member, The College of the State Bar of Texas
Select Publications and Presentations
Asset Protection: Domestic and International Law and Tactics (four volumes; updated quarterly)
West Group
Publication
Contributing Author/Co-Editor
1995
A Brief History of Asset Protection Trusts
ALI CLE Estate Planning Course Materials Journal, January 2022
Publication
Author
2022
Truth, Transparence, and The Right of Privacy
The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Law Journal, Volume 46, Number 3, Summer 2021
Publication
Author
2021
The Financial Action Task Force and the Legal Profession
New York Law School Law Review, 2014/15, Volume 59, Number 3
Publication
Author
2015
Asset Protection Trusts Under Attack – Views from the Bench and Bar
49th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Orlando, Florida
Presentation/Publication
Co-Author/Presenter
2015
Asset Protection Trust Planning Using Traditional Estate Planning Techniques
Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, 32nd Annual Estate Planning Institute, Las Cruses, New Mexico
Presentation/Publication
Co-Author/Presenter
2015
The Financial Action Task Force and The Good Practices Guidance
New Mexico State Bar 2012 Bridge the Gap, Albuquerque, New Mexico; The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Southeast Regional Meeting, Savannah, Georgia; The National College of Probate Judges, Jekyll Island, Georgia; Connecticut Bar Association Probate Section Meeting, New Haven Connecticut; The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel New England Regional Meeting, Mashantucket, Connecticut
Presentation/Publication
Author/Presenter
2011
The Financial Action Task Force and Its Impact on The Practice of Law
33rd Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, Houston, Texas (2009); 44th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Orlando, Florida
Presentation/Publication
Author/Presenter
2009
Asset Protection: Trust Planning
American Law Institute – American Bar Association Course of Study, Planning Techniques for Large Estates, New York, New York (April, 2009)
Presentation
Co-Author/Presenter
2009
Converting an Asset Protection Trust into a Tax-Efficient Wealth Reserve
U.S. Taxation of International Operations
Publication
Co-Author
2003
The Influence of Spanish and Mexican Laws on the Property and Probate Laws of Texas
The International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, Santiago, Chile
Presentation/Publication
Co-Author/Presenter
2003
Publications and Presentations
All Publications and Presentations
The Fiduciary Duty of Full Disclosure
The Fiduciary Duty of Full Disclosure
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate 2024, Houston, TX
Presentation
2024
Bringing Your Expert Witness to Trial
Bringing Your Expert Witness to Trial
State Bar of Texas, Fiduciary Litigation Course, San Antonio, Texas
Presentation/Publication
2023
Teaching the ABCs to Your Trustees: How to Provide Practical Instructions to New Trustees
Teaching the ABCs to Your Trustees: How to Provide Practical Instructions to New Trustees
State Bar of Texas, Handling Your First (or Next) Trust Course
Presentation/Publication
2021
Navigating Cross-Border Issues in Fiduciary Litigation
Navigating Cross-Border Issues in Fiduciary Litigation
State Bar of Texas, Fiduciary Litigation Course
Presentation/Publication
2020
Disclosure Issues Arising Outside of Fiduciary Relationships
Disclosure Issues Arising Outside of Fiduciary Relationships
State Bar of Texas, Fiduciary Litigation Course
Presentation/Publication
2019
Borrowed Trouble: Common Conflicts and Mistakes to Avoid in Your Estate Planning Practice
Borrowed Trouble: Common Conflicts and Mistakes to Avoid in Your Estate Planning Practice
University of Texas School of Law Special Needs Trusts Conference, Austin, Texas
Presentation/Publication
2018
Strategies for Suing and Defending Fiduciary Decision Making
Strategies for Suing and Defending Fiduciary Decision Making
State Bar of Texas Fiduciary Litigation Course
Presentation/Publication
2018
Avoiding Contests: Donor Relations When Legal Capacity Becomes an Issue
Avoiding Contests: Donor Relations When Legal Capacity Becomes an Issue
Charitable Gift Planners of Austin, December 10, 2018
Presentation
2018
Standing and Capacity to Sue in Estate and Trust Litigation
Standing and Capacity to Sue in Estate and Trust Litigation
State Bar of Texas 10th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course, December 10-11, 2015
Presentation/Publication
2015
