Our Attorneys
Brian D. Bixby
Partner
Contact Information
Phone: 781-235-5500
Direct: 781-247-8018
Email: bbixby@wcnllp.com
vCard: Download
Attorney Profile
Brian Bixby has more than four decades of experience in all aspects of estate planning and fiduciary administration – including mediation, conciliation, probate court litigation, appeals, family law, guardianships and conservatorships, and representation of individuals and fiduciaries. He also offers trust protector services, ensuring that a trust is not adversely impacted by evolving laws and regulations.
Prior to joining Wilchins Cosentino & Novins, Brian spent 25 years as the Chair of the Private Client Group at Burns & Levinson and was also the head of the firm’s Fiduciary Litigation Department.
He is both an experienced litigator and negotiator, helping clients reach an agreement on a dispute either before or during litigation.
Given the breadth and depth of his experience, Brian is often called to serve as an expert witness. He is a trusted resource for clients and other attorneys and professionals, providing sophisticated advice and second opinions on pending or contemplated cases.
Brian is frequently requested as a speaker at events sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association and other organizations with a focus on estate and probate matters.
Brian summarizes his work for his clients succinctly: “I have been helping people solve their problems for many years. That’s why I became an attorney – to end (or avoid) years of uncertainty and anguish for my clients.”
Professional Associations, Memberships & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association
- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Fellow (1995-present)
- Fiduciary Litigation Committee Member (2007-present)
- Will and Trust Contest Sub-Committee Co-Chair (2022-present)
- American Heart Association – Professional Advisor Network Member
- Boston Bar Association – Probate Committee
- Boston Estate Planning Council
- Boston Probate and Estate Planning Forum
- Member (1985-present)
- Steering Committee (2007-2010)
- Family Firm Institute – New England Chapter Board Member
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Eco-Challenge Task Force
- Probate Law Section Council
- Probate Litigation Practice Group
- Taxation Law Section Council – Past Chair (2007-2009)
- Fee Arbitration Board Committee – Arbitrator
- Massachusetts Clients’ Security Board of the Supreme Judicial Court
- Treasurer (2023-present)
- Member (2020-present)
- Massachusetts Family and Probate Inn of Court
- Member (1995-present)
- Past President (2007-2008)
- Visiting Nurses Association of Boston Foundation, VNA Care Network Foundation and VNA Private Care, Inc. – Board of Directors
News, Events & Publications
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“Q&A with Brian Bixby, Probate and Trust Attorney at Burns & Levinson,” Boston Citybizlist, June 2021
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“Will Contests, Compromises, and Practical Steps to Avoid Litigation,” Chapter in MCLE Massachusetts Probate Manual, 2016-2021
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“Litigation Trailblazers: Brian D. Bixby,” National Law Journal, December 2016
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“Litigating Will Contests,” Chapter in MCLE Fiduciary Litigation in the Probate Court, 2016
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“Basic Estate Planning for Divorce Lawyers,” Chapter in MCLE Divorce Law Practice Manual, 2016
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“Having an Estate Plan in Place Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving,” Boston Business Journal, December 2013
Honors & Recognition
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AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
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Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Trusts and Estates (2023, 2024, 2025)
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Go To Trusts & Estates Lawyer, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2022)
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The Best Lawyers in America© Best Lawyer, Family Law, Litigation – Trusts & Estates, and Trusts & Estates (2010-2025)
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National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) – Accredited Estate Planner designee (2018-present)
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Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004-2026)
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Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2004)
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National Law Journal – Litigation Trailblazer (2016)
Practice Areas
- Private Client Services
- Trust & Estate Planning
- Business Succession Planning
- Estate & Trust Administration
- Tax Planning
- Family Office Services
- Fiduciary Services
- Elder Law & Long-Term Planning
- Special Needs Planning
- Charitable Planned Giving
- Asset Protection Planning
- Probate Litigation
Education
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Northeastern University School of Law, J.D.
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Brown University, AB
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts Bar
- Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
- US District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- US Supreme Court
- US Tax Court