Bio
Colleen is an attorney at MacDonald Illig whose practice focuses on estate planning, elder law, business succession planning, and corporate matters. She works with individuals, families, business owners, and nonprofit organizations to develop practical legal strategies designed to support long-term goals and provide peace of mind through all stages of planning and administration.
Colleen Helps Clients With:
- Estate planning
- Asset protection planning
- Long-term care planning
- Elder law matters
- Estate and trust administration
- Business succession planning
- Tax-efficient estate planning strategies
- Entity formation
- Corporate governance matters
- Mergers and acquisitions
- General business counseling
- Nonprofit organizational guidance
Colleen assists clients in developing and implementing plans designed to support efficient administration, long-term continuity, and reduced tax exposure.
Approach to Client Service
Colleen approaches legal matters with both practicality and compassion. She works closely with clients to understand their personal, family, and business objectives and provides guidance tailored to their long-term needs. Her goal is to help clients feel confident and informed throughout the planning and administration process.
Experience and Professional Background
Colleen regularly advises clients on complex estate planning matters, including asset protection planning, long-term care planning, and business succession strategies. She also guides clients through trust and estate administration, helping implement estate plans efficiently while addressing tax-related considerations.
As counsel to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, Colleen supports clients throughout the organizational lifecycle. Her work includes assisting entrepreneurs with entity formation, advising nonprofit organizations on corporate governance and board development matters, and representing businesses involved in mergers and acquisitions.
In her role as general counsel to business clients, Colleen provides ongoing legal guidance related to operational, organizational, and strategic business matters.
Noteworthy
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, 2016 – Present
- Selected for inclusion in the publication The Best Lawyers in America© for Real Estate Law (2024- Present)
- Named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star® for Estate Planning and Probate, 2018 - 2021
- 2009 Northwestern Legal Services Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award
Education & Admissions
Memberships & Associations
- Erie County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Community Involvement
- Vice President and General Counsel, Board of Directors and Board of Governors, Erie Philharmonic. Inc. - 2023 - present
- Ex-Officio Member (Legal Counsel), Board of Trustees, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie, 2011 – present
- Advisory Board, Executive Committee, and Panel Member, Athena PowerLink – ERIE, 2010 – present
- Board of Elders (2022 – 2025), Member (2008 – present), Chair, Board of Deacons (2009 – 2011), First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant
- Assistant Cubmaster and Committee Member, Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church Cub Scout Pack 59, 2019 – 2021
- Treasurer, Board of Trustees, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie, Inc., 2016 – 2018
- Treasurer, Board of Trustees Member, Erie Arts and Culture, 2014 – 2020
- Chair, Erie Awards of Distinction Planning Committee, Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, 2013 – 2016
- Chair, Board of Directors, L’Arche Erie, Inc., 2007 – 2013
- Member, Board of Trustees, Mercy Terrace, 2007 – 2009
