Best Lawyers in Canada for Trusts and Estates
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Province
Morris Jacobson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Morris, who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Morris is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Angelique helps clients resolve legal issues that can arise following the death or incapacity of loved ones. In these circumstances, feelings of sadness or anger can be overwhelming. Angelique listens carefully to her clients in order to really understand what they need, and then pursues their goals relentlessly. Former clients describe her as an astute negotiator who is very creative, caring, strong, witty and “a warrior in the truest sense of the word.” Angelique became interest...
Carole Chouinard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Charities / Non-Profit Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Carole, who practices law in Ottawa, Ontario, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carole is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew Rendely is a Partner and co-lead of the Estate Litigation practice group at Loopstra Nixon LLP. He practices exclusively in the areas of wills, estates, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, and capacity related litigation. Matthew is a strong and passionate advocate for his clients. He has successfully represented clients at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Matthew’s expertise in estate litigation is widely recognized by his clients and colleagues...
Dane specializes in corporate and personal tax planning, along with estate planning, administration and negotiation. Prior to joining Felesky Flynn, Dane practiced employment law at an Alberta-based firm. He holds his Bachelor of Laws with distinction from the University of Alberta. Dane has been ranked as a featured Leading Lawyer in both Corporate Tax and Estate & Personal Tax Planning – Estate & Tax Planning by Canadian Lexpert®. An astute listener, Dane finds great fulfi...
Denise Cooney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative and Public Law, Health Care Law, Labour and Employment Law and Trusts and Estates. Denise, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Denise is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David Chernos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Trusts and Estates. David, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Daniel Paperny is a Partner and co-lead of the Estate Litigation practice group at Loopstra Nixon LLP. He practices exclusively in the areas of wills, estates, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, and capacity related litigation. Daniel has practiced estate litigation since his call to the Bar in 2015 and has developed an expertise in the area. Daniel is passionate about estate litigation and recognizes the importance of this time in the lives of his clients. By utilizing technical skill...
Tim advises clients on estate management, wealth preservation, business succession, and corporate law. His practice focuses on developing tailored estate and succession plans that support long-term personal and business goals, often involving complex cross-border considerations. Working closely with U.S. legal and tax specialists, Tim regularly assists Canadians with U.S.-based estate planning and Americans with their Canadian-based estate planning. He also has specialized experience in life ...
Katherine Ratcliffe is a trusted advisor to high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners on their estate, trust, and tax matters. She develops sophisticated, client-centric planning strategies that reflect legal precision, practical insight, and a deep understanding of clients’ particular objectives. Katherine’s practice focuses on complex estate planning, trust and corporate structuring, business succession, and post-mortem tax planning. She regularly prepares bespok...
Victoria Winter is a partner in the firm’s Trusts and Estate Planning Group and a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) as designated by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Victoria practises in the areas of estate planning and succession including the preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Trusts (domestic, international, Henson), corporate reorganizations, business succession planning, advising clients on methods in which to minimize income tax and estate adminis...
Jacob began his legal career at one of the world’s largest law firms, practicing in the areas of estate and commercial litigation. He then focused exclusively on estate litigation at a well-known boutique firm, eventually becoming a partner, before joining Donovan Kochman LLP. Jacob has acted as section 3 counsel and appeared before various levels of court, including the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. He is a knowledgeable and tenacious advocate who striv...
Andrea is a lawyer in the Private Wealth Group at Farris LLP. She focuses her practice on assisting clients with sophisticated estate and trust planning and administration. She provides succession planning advice and works with clients to craft trust documents, wills and testamentary instruments, powers of attorney and representation agreements which respond to their specific needs. Andrea also provides services to executors and trustees. Andrea is a frequent speaker for a wide variety of gro...
Lorne H. Saltman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Lorne H., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lorne H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.