The world of law is built on pillars of dedication, intellect, and service. Few embody these principles as profoundly as Imaan Moughal, a distinguished Trusts & Estates Associate at Manice Budd & Baggett, LLP, and Adjunct Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School. With a career marked by excellence, service, and leadership, she has established herself as a rising star in the trusts and estates field while also shaping the next generation of legal professionals through teaching.
Imaan Moughal: A Strong Foundation in Law and Leadership
From the earliest stages of her academic journey, Imaan Moughal showed determination and vision. After earning her B.A. from Hofstra University in 2012, she pursued her J.D. at Hofstra Law School, graduating in 2016. During law school, she distinguished herself as the Business & Communications Editor of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Law Journal and founded the Trusts & Estates Law Society at Hofstra.
These roles reflected not just her commitment to academic excellence but also her passion for creating platforms where students could learn, collaborate, and grow.
Her leadership extended to serving on the Executive Board of the Student Bar Association, where she became known for her advocacy and dedication to student engagement. It was during this time that she received the 2015 New York State Bar Foundation’s Trusts and Estates Law Section Fellowship, a pivotal recognition that allowed her to gain hands-on experience in Surrogate’s Courts under the guidance of esteemed judges.
Career Path: Building Expertise in Trusts and Estates
The professional journey of Imaan Moughal reflects her depth of expertise and unwavering commitment to her field. She began her career as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Peter J. Kelly, Queens County Surrogate, where she honed her skills in estate administration and gained firsthand experience in probate proceedings.
Following her clerkship, she joined Cullen & Dykman LLP, where she represented the Public Administrator of Kings County in probate and administration matters. Her career later led her to McLaughlin & Stern LLP, where she focused on estate planning and litigation. She then advanced to Cole Schotz P.C., where she served as a trusts and estates associate, further refining her ability to navigate complex legal issues involving taxation, trusts, and estates.
Today, at Manice Budd & Baggett LLP, Imaan continues to provide counsel in estate planning, probate, administration, estate and trust litigation, and guardianship proceedings. Her multifaceted experience across prestigious firms and judicial appointments has made her a highly respected figure in her practice area.
Imaan Moughal: Educator and Mentor – Shaping the Future of Law
Beyond her legal practice, Imaan Moughal plays a transformative role as an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches Estate Administration. Her teaching goes beyond theory—she instills in her students the values of diligence, precision, and compassion in handling estate matters, ensuring they are prepared to serve clients with both skill and integrity.
Her involvement in legal education and mentorship highlights her dedication to giving back to the community and ensuring that her knowledge benefits not only clients but also future generations of attorneys.
Recognitions and Honors
Over the years, Imaan Moughal has been recognized for her leadership, scholarship, and service. In 2019, she was honored with the Emerging Leader Outstanding Women in Law Award, celebrating her as a role model for women in the legal profession. From 2021 to 2023, she was selected as an American Bar Association RPTE Trusts & Estates Fellow, a prestigious achievement that underscores her impact in the field.
She was also named to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) Foundation Dennis I. Belcher Young Leaders Program (2023–2025), a program reserved for promising young leaders in trusts and estates law. Additionally, her appointment by Justice Hector D. LaSalle to the Committee on Character and Fitness for multiple New York judicial districts in 2023 reflects her integrity and the trust placed in her judgment.
Her involvement in various bar associations, including the New York State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Law Section Diversity Committee (as Chair), the New York City Bar Association Trusts, Estates and Surrogates Courts Committee, and the Estate & Gift Taxation Committee, further demonstrates her commitment to service and professional development.
A Voice in the Legal Community
As an active member of the New York legal community, Imaan Moughal is not only a practitioner and professor but also a thought leader. She frequently speaks on estate administration and related topics, co-authoring articles and participating in discussions aimed at advancing efficiency and clarity in the field. Her voice continues to influence the way trusts and estates law is understood and practiced in New York and beyond.
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