Profile
Norman J. Benford is a Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and the National Chair Emeritus of the Private Wealth Services Practice. He counsels high-net-worth individuals and families in connection with estate planning and other complex tax issues, as well as business succession and other non-tax family matters. Norm also counsels individuals and institutions serving as fiduciaries of estates, trusts and guardianships in connection with administrative matters and disputes with the Internal Revenue Service.
Norm has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Miami School of Law, Heckerling Graduate Program in Estate Planning for over 45 years, most recently teaching a course in International Estate Planning. He has also served as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning since 1992. In 2023, Norm received the Law Alumni Association Award at the University of Miami School of Law, Heckerling Institute.
Norm has been ranked nationally and in Florida in Chambers USA, Wealth Management, and, since 2017, in Chambers High Net Worth, Private Wealth Law. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (having served as a member of its Board of Regents and its Executive Committee) and an Academician of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law, having served as a member of its Executive Council. He has been listed among “The Best Lawyers in America, Trust and Estates since 1983 – and was selected “Miami Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year” in 2012.
Capabilities
Experience
- First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1959-1964
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, 1983-2025
- "Miami Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year," 2012
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2024
- Listed, Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2017 and 2021-2024
- Senior Statespeople, Florida, 2021-2024
- Recognized, Palm Beach Media Group’s Aventura Magazine, “Top Lawyer,” 2023
- Recipient, University of Miami School of Law, Heckerling Institute, "2023 Law Alumni Association Award"
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, National Leader, Wealth Management; Florida Leader, Estate Planning, 2008-2015
- Listed, Who's Who Legal: Private Clients, 2014
- Listed, Florida Trend magazine, "Legal Elite," 2005
- Listed, Who's Who in America
- Board Certified Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education
- Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0
- Adjunct Professor, University of Miami School of Law, more than 35 years teaching international estate planning, fiduciary administration, drafting and domestic estate planning in the Estate Planning LL.M. and J.D. programs
- Past Board Member, Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Board of Trustees
- Past Board Member, Mercy Hospital, Executive Committee, Board of Trustees
- Past Board Member, Doral/Ryder Open, Board of Governors
- Past Board Member, Plymouth Congregational Church, Board of Trustees
- Board Member, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Board of Trustees
- Past Chairman, Endowment Committee, University of Miami
- Member, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Past Executive Committee Member
- Past Regent
- Past President, ACTEC Foundation
- Member, Advisory Committee, Philip E. Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning
- Member, International Academy of Estate and Trust Law
- Member, Executive Council
- Member, American Bar Association
Credentials
- LL.B., Yale Law School, 1964
- B.A., Yale University, 1959
- Florida
- New York