Attorneys

“My role as the attorney is to provide guidance and support for clients as they navigate the emotional and stressful world of estate planning. I listen, observe, and then ask the important questions that help me understand the client’s needs and what they are hoping to achieve.”

Robert Maclay

Co-President

301-951-9330
301-652-5412 FAX
rmaclay@paleyrothman.com

Download vCard Connect Blog


Robert Maclay is Co-President of the firm, and a member of its Estate Planning, Estate & Trust Administration, Corporate and Tax practice groups, among others. In all areas of his practice, Bob’s clients continually praise him for the personal attention he consistently gives them, touting him as a good listener, responsive to their needs, and capable of managing complex issues.

On the estate planning side of his practice, Bob Maclay works with people who may be facing a very difficult time in their lives and alleviates their personal concerns regarding their children and grandchildren. Whether he is preparing wills, trusts or powers of attorney, his clients are assured that he has their best interests at heart. Bob enjoys the design and the interaction with clients that goes into crafting an estate plan. He is regularly educating clients on what options are available to them, which he can do by understanding their family relationships.

Bob Maclay has a proven track record in handling the corporate and tax planning matters of businesses and non-profits as well. He has many years of experience in negotiating business transactions, including the sale and acquisition of businesses, buy-sell transactions between shareholders, shareholder disputes, executive compensation, deferred compensation agreements, stock options, phantom stock, and other agreements. He also focuses on succession planning for his business clients, and builds trust with multiple generations of business owners who then use him as counsel to the family.

As a supporter of continuing legal education programs, Bob has lectured at a number of establishments in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Several times a year he speaks at the World Bank as part of their Pension Department’s Pre-Retirement Planning Series. He is also a member of The Group - a national dealing with closely held businesses, made up of tax attorneys, CPAs, actuaries and pension administrators. Recently, Bob did an interview for Executive Leaders Radio, where he spoke about his childhood and how his upbringing influenced the leader he is today.

Read More Read Less
Bar Admissions
  • Maryland

  • District of Columbia

Education
  • J.D., Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, 1978

  • B.A., Cum Laude, Harvard University, 1973

Accolades & Awards
  • Best Lawyers in America - Best Lawyers (2017-2023)
         - Trusts and Estates

  • Best Law Firms – U.S. News & Best Lawyers
             - Tier 2 National Ranking for Trusts & Estates
             - Tier 1 Metropolitan (D.C. area) Ranking for Trusts & Estates

  • "Top Attorneys," Bethesda Magazine ​(2019)
         - Business/Corporate

  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Recent Publications
  • “The Debt-Equity Regulations Under Section 385 of the Internal Revenue Code,” (Co-Author), Taxation for Lawyers

  • “The Use of Life Insurance in Estate Planning,” (Co-Author), Taxation for Lawyers

Speeches and Presentations
  • Interviewee, Executive Leaders Radio (October 2016)

  • Lecturer, The World Bank

  • Lecturer, Montgomery-Prince George’s Continuing Legal Education Institute

  • Lecturer, D.C. Bar Association - Georgetown University Estate Planning Programs

  • Lecturer, Practising Law Institute

  • Lecturer, Maryland Institute of Continuing Professional Education

  • Lecturer, D.C. American Institute of CPAs