Best Lawyers in Canada for Trusts and Estates

Wendi Crowe’s practice focuses on tax, business succession planning, trusts and estate planning, to address the complexities of today’s families. She uses a practical, holistic and collaborative approach to assist owner-managers in achieving their business succession goals. Wendi advises clients at all stages of the business life cycle, including incorporation and ownership structure, partnership and shareholder agreements, employee profit-sharing plans and stock options, acquisit...

Luc Pariseau is a partner and member of the Business law group, specializing in tax law. In his practice, Mr. Pariseau has often been called upon to advise emerging companies, major corporations, family businesses, and non-profit organizations on Canadian and international tax matters. Mr. Pariseau was also a lecturer for several years. Between 1990 and 1994, he gave courses on tax law related to real estate transactions at Université du Québec à Montréal, and, in ...

Pamela is a tax partner who focuses her practice on taxation, estate and trust planning, tax dispute resolution and voluntary disclosures of unpaid taxes. She regularly advises individuals and family enterprises on estate planning, including complex situations involving multi-jurisdictional assets or beneficiaries, philanthropy and gift planning. Pamela also advises both Canadian and international clients on taxation issues relating to establishing and operating business and investment struct...

Fulvio Durante joined Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 1994 and conducts a business and estate-oriented practice. He brings extensive experience in the areas of business law, corporate restructuring, mergers & acquisitions, commercial transactions, trusts, banking, mental incapacity and estate planning & administration. Fulvio is committed to teaching and mentoring the newest members of the profession. He was an instructor for the bar admission courses required for the admission of new law...

Joanna is a partner at de VRIES LITIGATION LLP with extensive experience in estates, trusts, and capacity litigation. Joanna has a keen interest in issues regarding will challenges, dependant’s support, and power of attorney disputes. She has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Joanna obtained her law degree from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill University. Joanna was called to...

Lori advises both domestic and international clients on a broad range of tax matters. She has extensive experience in business structuring, corporate reorganizations, pre-sale and divestiture planning, business succession planning, executive and employee compensation, immigration/emigration, trusts, and estates. Corporate, institutional and individual clients turn to her for clear, actionable guidance on complex tax matters. Known for translating intricate tax rules into practical, tax-effici...

As a senior partner and past lead of the Social Impact Group at Miller Thomson, Susan Manwaring is a recognized expert advising social enterprises, charities and non-profits in her practice. Susan is considered a trailblazing thought leader in the charitable sector and is regularly called upon to advise charities and non-profit organizations on compliance and taxation matters under the Income Tax Act, as well as other relevant provincial tax regulations. Susan was a member of the Canadian Rev...

Tracy Hanson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Tracy, who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tracy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aaron Edgar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Aaron, 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 Aaron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jan Goddard entered law school with an interest in working with elderly persons and their legal issues, but over 30 years ago the term ‘elder law’ did not even exist. So Jan made her own path to the law practice she has today. Along the way, she served for 10 years as counsel at the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee in Ontario, obtained a certificate in gerontology from Ryerson University and a mediation certificate from Osgoode Hall Law School, and founded and developed t...

Corina Weigl is Co-Leader of the Private Client Service group. Her practice is focused on estate and family business succession planning. She develops customized strategies for wills, trusts, and tools designed to protect a client's property, such as domestic contracts, Corina leverages legal and tax regimes to protect multi-jurisdictional property and family interests. She is also active in the Firm, having recently held the positions of Chair of the Firm’s Professional Development Com...

Jennifer R. Lamb is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer R., who practices law in Calgary, Alberta, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Martin Lord is a Partner in our Estates, Wills and Trusts group. His practice focuses on tax law. He advises clients in business matters, particularly in terms of tax planning for the protection and cross-generation transmission of assets through domestic trusts or wills. He also facilitates charitable donations.

Nicole Woodward practices in the area of trusts, estates, succession planning, and taxation in relation to those areas. She advises clients in all areas of domestic and complex cross-border estate and trust matters, including indigenous trusts, planning for high net worth estates, estate and trust administration, and the preparation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. Nicole regularly counsels individuals regarding a variety of cross-border issues, including tax planning fo...

Cheyenne Reese is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Cheyenne, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cheyenne is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lou-Anne Farrell joined Harrison Pensa as Counsel in 2022 to help build our Estate Litigation practice. She has been practicing in the Estate Litigation field for over 35 years. Her practice includes will challenges, spousal and dependent’s claims, removal of executors and contested estate audits, as well as Power of Attorney litigation, capacity litigation, the appointment of guardians, and Breach of Trust claims. Her expertise in this field is recognized locally and throughout the pro...