Épisodes

  • The Strategic Importance of Estate Planning
    Mar 2 2026
    Season 2 Episode 5: The Strategic Importance of Estate Planning Estate planning is more than drafting a will - it’s about aligning your assets, beneficiaries, and tax strategy into one cohesive plan. In this episode, Chris Klug and Gina Lee explain how thoughtful coordination and ongoing review safeguard both your wealth and your legacy. Many people believe estate planning begins and ends with a will. In reality, it involves aligning assets, debts, business interests, retirement planning, and tax implications into a cohesive strategy. This episode explores the pitfalls of DIY or incomplete planning and explains how a coordinated, personalized approach protects both your family and your legacy. This episode covers: Why estate planning is not just about drafting a will or trust, but about coordinating assets, debts, beneficiary designations, and long-term family goals. Real-world examples of how incomplete or DIY estate plans – including unfunded trusts – can create unintended probate complications. How estate planning should evolve over time, from young families to business owners to later-life transitions. The importance of trust funding and beneficiary alignment, and why signed documents alone do not ensure assets transfer as intended. How estate planning connects with income tax, estate and gift tax, business succession, and cross-border considerations – especially for complex estates. Host: Chris KlugChris is a trusted attorney with extensive experience in taxation, corporate planning, mergers and acquisitions, and estate planning. He guides clients through complex tax matters to deliver practical solutions. Host: Gina LeeGina Lee is your trusted guide for U.S. tax law, corporate compliance, and estate planning, providing personalized, strategic counsel to help achieve your financial and personal goals with confidence. If this episode resonates with what you’re working through, contact info@basswoodcounsel.com. We’ll help you bring clarity to the key decisions, risks, and priorities, with the right support across our complementary practice areas. Share: More Podcasts S2 Episode 1: What Really Happens in an M&A Deal? From first contact to post-closing integration, M&A transactions demand structure, foresight, and resilience. In this episode, we explain how understanding the process helps owners navigate risk, timing, and negotiation more S1 Episode 14: Coming to America: Structuring Your U.S. Expansion For non-U.S. companies, the decision to operate in the U.S. is as much a tax decision as a business one. In this episode, we break down how footprint, structure, and S1 Episode 13: A Year of Change: Navigating New Rules in Securities, Crypto, and Financial Markets A year of regulatory change has reshaped how businesses approach securities, fintech, and digital assets in the U.S. In this anniversary episode, Hazvinei Mugwagwa and Jephte Lanthia reflect on what S1 Episode 12: From Tax Cuts to New Opportunities: Key Highlights of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces significant and permanent changes that reshape tax planning for both individuals and businesses. In this episode, Chris Klug and Gina Lee walk through S1 Episode 11: One Year Under the Basswood Tree: Reflecting on Partnership, Purpose, and Growth What does it mean to redefine success in the practice of law? In this anniversary episode, Basswood’s founders discuss their values, the story behind the Basswood name, and why true S1 Episode 10: Succession Planning: Preparing Your Business for What’s Next Most business owners don’t realize how closely succession planning, estate planning, and exit strategy are connected. In this episode, we walk through what business succession planning really involves and why S1 Episode 9: The AI + AML Dilemma: What Crypto Adoption Really Means for Compliance As crypto adoption accelerates, AML compliance is evolving just as quickly. In this episode, we discuss how compliance professionals and institutions are navigating fraud risk, evolving investor behavior, and a S1 Episode 8: The AI Dilemma in AML: Game-Changer or a Governance Minefield? The promise of AI in AML lies in speed, scale, and insight, but the pitfalls are equally real. In this episode, we discuss how financial institutions can responsibly integrate AI S1 Episode 7: Playing Catch-up: America’s Regulatory Sprint for Crypto Leadership As the U.S. positions itself as a global leader in crypto and fintech, regulatory clarity has become a central theme. In this episode, we examine what recent policy shifts mean S1 Episode 6: How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affects Individuals OBBBA is not just a policy update – it’s a practical planning roadmap for individuals and families. In this conversation, we explore how the Act affects income taxes, credits, deductions, S1 Episode 5: How th...
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    20 min
  • FBAR and FATCA - Filing Pitfalls, Thresholds, and Practical Tips
    Feb 16 2026
    FBAR and FATCA compliance doesn’t start at the filing deadline, it starts with early planning. In Part 2 of our FBAR and FATCA series, Rudo Mugwagwa and Gina Lee move from understanding the rules to addressing where filings most often break down and how to avoid those issues. For U.S. persons with foreign accounts, global families, financial institutions, and compliance teams, this episode highlights filing thresholds, documentation practices, certifications, and why proactive coordination is critical to avoiding penalties, delays, and unnecessary follow-up during the reporting cycle. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney–client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, please reach out to the Basswood Counsel team or consult a qualified attorney.
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    9 min
  • FBAR and FATCA Explained – Understanding the Differences and Overlap
    Feb 9 2026
    In this episode of the Under the Basswood Tree podcast, Basswood Counsel attorneys Rudo Mugwagwa and Gina Lee explain two U.S. cross-border reporting regimes that are often confused: FBAR and FATCA. The discussion breaks down what each regime is designed to do, how they differ, where they overlap, and why many taxpayers and institutions struggle to understand how the rules fit together. The episode also clarifies who is required to file, what types of accounts and assets are reportable, and why FBAR and FATCA compliance extends beyond simply filing a U.S. tax return. This is Part 1 of a two-part series focused on providing clarity around FBAR and FATCA for U.S. persons with foreign accounts, global families, business owners, and financial institutions navigating cross-border reporting obligations. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney–client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, please reach out to the Basswood Counsel team or consult a qualified attorney.
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    23 min
  • Coming to America (Part 2): Key U.S. Tax Considerations
    Feb 2 2026
    In this episode of the Under the Basswood Tree podcast, Chris Klug and Gina Lee continue the Coming to America series with a focused look at the U.S. tax considerations non-U.S. businesses face once operations begin. They walk through key issues to evaluate- from federal and state incentives to transfer pricing, treaty benefits, real estate considerations, and exit planning. The conversation highlights why viewing U.S. expansion through a global lens and planning early can help avoid costly missteps while positioning the business for long-term, sustainable growth. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney–client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, please reach out to the Basswood Counsel team or consult a qualified attorney.
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    29 min
  • What Really Happens in an M&A Deal?
    Jan 26 2026

    Hazvinei Mugwagwa continues the Talking M&A series with a practical walkthrough of the M&A transaction process—from early discovery and letters of intent to due diligence, closing, and post-transaction integration.

    Designed for founders, business owners, and executives, this conversation demystifies what really happens behind the scenes and why early planning matters. Hazvinei explores common pitfalls around NDAs, term sheets, due diligence readiness, transaction structures, and post-closing obligations, while highlighting the emotional and operational realities that often catch sellers off guard.

    Disclaimer:

    This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney–client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, please reach out to the Basswood Counsel team or consult a qualified attorney.

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    19 min
  • Coming to America: Structuring Your U.S. Expansion
    Dec 15 2025
    In this episode of the Under the Basswood Tree podcast, Chris Klug and Gina Lee explore what it really means for non-U.S. companies to “come to America.” They break down U.S. tax concepts, entity structuring considerations, and common pitfalls that can arise without thoughtful planning. This episode provides a clear, strategic starting point for foreign businesses entering the U.S. market.
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    17 min
  • A Year of Change: Navigating New Rules in Securities, Crypto, and Financial Markets
    Dec 1 2025
    In this episode of the Under the Basswood Tree podcast, Hazvinei Mugwagwa and Jephte Lanthia reflect on a year marked by significant regulatory change across securities, fintech, and digital assets. They discuss how the U.S. has moved toward a more market-friendly, clarity-driven approach — and what that means for businesses planning ahead. From stablecoin frameworks to the future of tokenization, AI-driven lending risks, and the realities facing minority investors, this conversation offers grounded guidance to help organizations navigate a fast-moving environment with confidence. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney–client relationship. For advice on your specific situation, please reach out to the Basswood Counsel team or consult a qualified attorney.
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    35 min
  • From Tax Cuts to New Opportunities: Key Highlights of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
    Nov 17 2025
    In this special episode of the Under the Basswood Tree Podcast, recorded during Basswood Counsel’s First Anniversary Event on October 28th, Chris Klug and Gina Lee break down the most significant tax changes introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—and what these updates mean for individuals, families, and businesses. From expanded deductions and enhanced credits to major improvements in pass-through benefits, R&D expensing, Opportunity Zones, and QSBS, they translate complex reforms into clear, practical insights. Their conversation highlights where new opportunities open up and where thoughtful planning matters most. Tune in for a strategic, forward-looking overview of tax changes shaping 2025 and the years ahead.
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    22 min