Ed Tjaden partners with individuals and families to develop personalized estate planning strategies that protect their legacy and achieve their unique goals. He takes complex trust and estate matters and translates them into clear, actionable plans that clients can understand and implement with confidence. As an associate in the firm’s Tax and Private Client group and member of the Fiduciary Litigation Team, Ed provides comprehensive counsel on sophisticated trust and estate planning, estate and gift tax matters, and represents clients in trust and estate administration disputes, always keeping client objectives at the forefront of every decision.

Ed's military background as a Specialist in the United States Army brings invaluable discipline and strategic thinking to his client relationships. He approaches each family's situation with the same attention to detail and problem-solving mindset that served him in the military, proactively identifying potential challenges and developing creative solutions before issues arise. This methodical approach ensures clients receive efficient, cost-effective counsel whether navigating sophisticated estate planning, probate and estate administration matters, or resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution or courtroom advocacy.

Ed earned his J.D. from Washington University School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. During law school, he demonstrated leadership as President of the Student Veterans Association and was selected as the 2018 VFW-SVA Legislative Fellow, presenting policy proposals to Congress and the Executive Branch on incorporating peer mentorship into VA Education Programs. His academic excellence was recognized through multiple CALI Excellence for the Future Awards and the Dean's Leadership Award. Ed also holds a B.A. in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University.

Ed believes that effective estate planning requires more than technical expertise—it demands understanding each client's family dynamics, values, and long-term vision. He builds lasting relationships with clients by maintaining open communication throughout the planning process and beyond, ensuring that strategies evolve with changing circumstances and family needs. His responsive approach and commitment to accessibility mean clients can rely on timely guidance when important decisions arise.