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Philip M. Johnstone

Philip M. Johnstone

Partner

  • New London
  • [email protected]

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  • 860.442.0367
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Legal Services

  • Trusts, Estates & Fiduciary
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Real Estate & Land Use
  • Corporate & Business

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania, J.D., 1986
  • Duke University, B.A., 1983 ~ magna cum laude

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Connecticut
  • Rhode Island

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut

Philip M. Johnstone

Partner

Back to Our Team

Home » Our Team » Philip M. Johnstone

  • Overview
  • Experience
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Phil provides a wide range of trust, estate and gift planning and administration legal services to clients in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Phil’s practice is focused on implementing innovative and sophisticated solutions to preserve client wealth and business enterprises for future generations. Phil takes a mindful approach to his work, believing in tailoring each planning solution to the unique circumstances and desires of the particular client.

One of Phil’s particular areas of focus is fiduciary advice and counsel. Phil’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Economics, including Modern Portfolio Theory, magna cum laude, from Duke.

Affiliations

  • Estate and Tax Planning Council of Eastern Connecticut

  • Professional Advisory Board of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Community

  • Board Member, Stonington Historical Society, 2006-2008
  • Board Member, Pine Point School, 1999-2008
  • Board Member, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 1998-2001
  • Board Member, The Wadawanuck Club, Inc.
  • Board Member, J Boats, Inc., 1987-present
  • Member, Mystic Rotary Club, 1998-2004

Experience

  • As Executor/Trustee/Owner, insured the continued smooth management and operation of a going concern business, including its subsequent sale to an owner who retained the staff and business intact.*

  • Crafted and implemented a multigenerational business succession plan for a financial firm.*

  • Advised on, and implemented, SLATs and GST Dynasty Trusts for high net worth clients.*

  • Represented prominent out-of-state trust companies and banks in Connecticut Estate and Trust administrations.*

     

    *Experience from a prior firm.

Carmody Celebrates Expansion Into New London

September 09, 2025
Carmody combines with New London firm Waller Smith & Palmer, as featured in the Connecticut Law Tribune.

Why Connecticut Law Firms Carmody and WSP Decided to Join Forces

September 09, 2025
CT Insider and numerous Hearst Media Group publications share Carmody's combination with Waller, Smith & Palmer P.C. CT Post Stamford Advocate New Haven Register Greenwich Time The Hour The Middletown Press

Carmody’s Waller Smith Combination Adds New Office, 5 Attys

September 04, 2025
Law360 reports on Carmody's combination with Waller, Smith & Palmer. https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/2383231

Law Firm Carmody Announces Combination with CT Legal Practice

September 04, 2025
Carmody combines with New London firm Waller Smith & Palmer P.C., as reported in the Hartford Business Journal.

New London’s Oldest Firm Merges with State’s Biggest Firm

September 04, 2025
Carmody announces combination with New London firm Waller Smith & Palmer P.C. (WSP). Carmody Managing Partner Rick Street and former WSP partner Tracy Collins spoke with The Day about the combination.
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