In honor and remembrance for our partner, mentor, and friend W. Gerald Thornton please see his In Memoriam https://www.manningfulton.com/news/in-memoriam-w-gerald-thornton/

Durham

Diamond View II, Suite 130, 280 South Mangum Street, Durham, NC 27701

(919) 787-8880 Contact

Raleigh

3605 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27612

(919) 787-8880 Contact

Debbie heads the firm’s Estate Administration Section and has more than 25 years of experience. Debbie often represents key executives and assists high net worth families and individuals in developing and implementing Gift and Estate Tax Planning and the administration of substantial and complex estates and trusts. Additionally, Debbie has a broad range of experience with closely-held companies, including Mergers and Acquisitions, private debt placements and Corporate Financings, and negotiating contracts.

About

Deborah L. Hildebran-Bachofen has been practicing with Manning Fulton since 1988.  Debbie heads the firm’s Estate Administration Section and with more than 25 years of experience, she is known throughout the state of North Carolina for her expertise in the areas of estate planning and administration. Debbie often represents key executives and assists high net worth families and individuals in developing and implementing gift and estate tax planning and the administration of substantial and complex estates and trusts. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).

Debbie’s broad range of experience with closely-held businesses makes her an important part of the company’s outside management team, advising business owners on day-to-day operations, drafting and negotiating contracts, acquiring and disposing of businesses, and advising on financial matters and transactions. Her industry experience includes automotive, manufacturing/sales, and warehouse/distribution.

She is a CPA and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).

Debbie has been consistently recognized in many State and Nationally respected publications. She has been named in The Best Lawyers in America® (2009-2021) and was selected  as 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Trust and Estates in Raleigh.  Additionally, she was selected for inclusion among North Carolina Super Lawyers (2006-2017 / NC’s Top 100 Lawyers 2009, 2010 / Top 50 Female Lawyers 2006-2014). She has also been recognized in Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite in the areas of Tax and Estate Planning (2005, 2017) and Corporate Law (2006). She is the recipient of a Women in Business Award (2005) presented by the Triangle Business Journal and a Women Extraordinaire Award (2005) presented by Business Leader Magazine

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Credentials

Education

  • Wingate College – A.A. – 1973
  • University of North Carolina -B.S., B.A. – 1976
  • University of North Carolina – J.D – 1984

Admitted to Practice

  • State of North Carolina 1984
  • United State Tax Court 1984
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina 1984
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina 1988
  • Supreme Court of the United States 2007

Professional Memberships & Activities

  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Fellow (2004-2023)
  • Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate (1996-2023)
  • North Carolina Bar Association
    • Tax Section
      • Council Member (1993-1996)
    • Estate Planning & Fiduciary Law Section
      • Chair (2006-2007)
      • Council Member (2000-2003)
      • Chair Estate Administration Manual Committee Chair (1999-2001)
    • Local Bar Outreach Committee (formerly Local Bar Services Committee) Member (2009-2018)
    • Convention Planning Committee Member (2011-2021)
    • International Law & Practice Section
      • Council Member (2008-2011)
      • Leader Attorney Exchange Leader to Turkey (2010)
    • Business Law Section
      • North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (LEAP) Subcommittee (2011-2013)
    • 4All Call Day Participant (2007-2019)
    • Legal Aid Lawyer-on-the-Line (2012-2021)
  • Wake County Bar Association
    • Treasurer (2013-2015)
    • Board of Directors (2010-2011)
    • Chair Swearing-In Ceremony Committee (2010-2011)
    • Co-Chair Bar Awards Planning Committee (2011-2012)
    • President’s Award of Excellence (2009, 2012)
    • Chair, Social Committee (2016)
  • American Bar Association (1988-2023)
    • Tax Section (1988-2023)
  • UNC Tax Institute Planning Committee Member (2006-2021)
  • Former Lecturer at UNC Chapel Hill School of Law
  • UNC Law School Alumni Board of Directors, Member (2011-2018)
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in America (since 2009)

Community Engagement

Salvation Army of Wake County Board of Advisors (2005-2021)

Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Campaign Cabinet Member (2015)

Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

  • Board of Advisors (2002-2018)
  • Chair Executive Women’s Task Force (2004)

Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)

  • Chair Capital (Raleigh) Region Advisory Board (2011-2018)

North Raleigh United Methodist Church

  • Trustee (1990-1999)

Member Capital City Club Executive Women’s Steering Committee (1995)

Raleigh Racquet Club

  • Director and Treasurer (1993-1996)

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