Hutchinson Black and Cook LLC is pleased to announce that Shelly D. Merritt, JD, CPA, has joined the firm as of counsel. Shelly brings more than three decades of experience in estate planning, trust administration, and small business law, with a particular emphasis on complex wealth preservation estate planning strategies for clients.
Shelly’s practice focuses on developing sophisticated multi-generational estate plans. Her deep knowledge of international succession planning, trust and estate administration, and business succession strategies makes her a trusted advisor for families, business owners, and fiduciaries navigating multi-faceted legal landscapes. A Certified Public Accountant and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Shelly is also certified in international succession planning by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Before joining HBC, Shelly practiced law in the Denver and Boulder areas for more than 30 years, most recently as a partner at Berg, Hill, Greenleaf & Ruscitti. She has held leadership positions in key legal and civic organizations, including the Colorado Bar Association's Trust & Estates Section and The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. She is a frequent speaker and author on estate planning topics, with published work in the Colorado Lawyer and the Colorado Estate Planning Handbook.
Shelly’s reputation for excellence, strategic thinking, and client-centered counsel enhances HBC’s longstanding trust and estates practice. We are honored to welcome her to the team.
Welcome, Shelly!