Phil O’Donoghue has represented a wide range of clients on estate planning and business matters since 1977. First at Covington & Burling, and beginning in 1982 with Furey, Doolan & Abell, LLP. Phil has concentrated on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax planning and controversies. Most of his clients are individuals, small businesses, and charitable organizations. He is adept in quantitative analysis for determining risks and rewards of alternative plans, and with providing and implementing fixes for defective plans.

Phil also has represented fiduciaries, both in advising them in their operations and protecting them in disputes. 

He is a recognized expert in trust and estate matters, federal estate and gift taxation and related aspects of fiduciary income taxation, as well as District of Columbia and Maryland law concerning estates and trusts. Phil is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Council and has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for trusts and estates each year since 1995 and, in 2015, was selected by Best Lawyers as Lawyer of the Year for trusts and estates in Washington, D.C.

From 1976 to 1977 he served as Law Clerk to Hon. William B. Jones, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
Board of Trustees (1999-2000)

Chevy Chase Club
Board of Governors (2000-2004)
Treasurer (2002)
Chair of the Executive Committee (2003)
President (2004)

The Louise Home (foundation)
Standby Trustee (1992-2002)
President (2002-present)

The George Preston Marshall Foundation
Director (2010-present)

Lecturer, Estate and Trust Topics, Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education for Lawyers

Co-Author: “Use of Disclaimers in Post-Mortem Planning,” New York University Tax Institute, at 7-1 to 7-33, 1982