Alexandra C. Denning advises U.S. and international clients on all aspects of estate planning, business succession and philanthropy. She serves as a thought partner to high net worth individuals and families, providing ongoing advice on the execution and administration of their estate plans and solutions to changed circumstances and evolving objectives.
Denning has extensive experience crafting bespoke plans that meet her clients’ personal and financial goals while preserving and protecting wealth. Her expertise encompasses wills, trusts, privately held businesses, private trust companies, family offices and limited partnerships, shareholder agreements, voting trusts, and other legal arrangements and governance tools.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The Inaugural Lawdragon 100 Leading Global Wealth Lawyers | 2026 | High-Net Worth, Estate Planning, Succession |
| The 2024 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation | 2024 | High Net-Worth, Trusts & Estates |
| Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation | 2023 | High Net-Worth, Trusts & Estates |
Denning also regularly represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries with respect to the administration of substantial estates and trusts and, when necessary, she represents clients in estate and gift tax audits and disputes.
Denning’s practice includes advising clients in their philanthropic endeavors. She has counseled clients in connection with substantial charitable gifts, tax planning in connection with charitable gifting, and the formation and administration of private foundations.
Denning was born in Dubuque, Iowa, and grew up in London, England. She received a B.A. magna cum laude from Williams College in 2004, a J.D. from Yale Law School in 2010, where she was a member of The Yale Law Journal, and a Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law in 2017.
In 2010, Denning served as a law clerk to Hon. Michael J. Melloy of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Denning joined Cravath in 2011 and was elected a partner in 2020.