Best Lawyers in Canada for Trusts and Estates

Polly is a partner practicing in the areas of Estates & Trusts and Elder Law. She regularly assists clients in resolving contentious estate, trust, and elder law issues involving significant and emotional personal matters, and with estate and incapacity planning to provide certainty and peace of mind for the future. She has appeared before the Courts in British Columbia and before the Supreme Court of Canada. Polly excels in providing thorough and detailed analysis of complex legal issues...

J. Kendal Paul is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Trusts and Estates. J. Kendal, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Kendal is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alexandra V. Mayeski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Alexandra V., who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexandra V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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

Susan Sack is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law and Trusts and Estates. Susan, who practices law in Toronto, Ontario, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Luc Martel is the fourth generation of Martel lawyers and the second to practice at Martel Cantin. Luc Martel was born under the sign of the cat. He practices law in his area of expertise, tax and estate planning. Luc offers the entrepreneurs all the services they need to: set up a business (incorporation, shareholders’ agreement, partnership agreement, etc.); to grow their business (business planning: merger, acquisition, etc; and tax planning: purification, crystallization, eligibilit...

Clients can count on Francine Nelson (Wiseman) to answer any tax or business law question. With more than 35 years of tax and business law experience, Francine Nelson (Wiseman) is known for her practical approach and tailored solutions. She assists a wide range of private sector clients and specializes in corporate taxation, trusts, estate planning, mergers and acquisitions, and cross-border tax planning. In addition to her legal practice, Francine Nelson (Wiseman) operates a residential real...

Erin is an estate planning and real estate lawyer with 36 years of experience. She maintains a robust practice that covers estate planning, real estate and the probate and administration of estates. Erin’s deep experience in both estate planning and real estate law enables her to prepare tax planned estates with lasting relevance. Estate Planning: Erin advises clients on Wills, Personal Care Directives and Powers of Attorney – all recommended elements of a comprehensive estate pla...

François Giroux is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. François, who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which François is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As our most senior estate and trust litigator, Mark gives strategic direction to some of the most complex estate files, representing both individual and institutional clients, including personal Executors and Trustees, trust companies, non-profit organizations, charities and committees. Mark excels at moving files through the “litigation pipeline” with perseverance based on an extensive knowledge of the law and hard-fought experience. Services Wills variation claims Passing of Exe...

David Thompson received a B.Comm (1979) and LLB (1983) from the University of British Columbia. He was called to the bar in 1984 and has practiced exclusively in taxation matters since 1985. David is a registered trust and estate practitioner certified by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. David was a governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation. David is noted as a leading Canadian tax lawyer based on peer-review ratings in Lexpert and in Martindale Hubell. He is noted as a leading Ca...

Joel Goldman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Joel, who practices law in Montréal, Quebec, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Barry H. Shapiro is a partner in our Business Law and Estates, Wills and Trusts groups. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, business and corporate law, real estate, and wills and estates. He is frequently asked to advise clients on various matters relating to their businesses or personal estate planning.

Caroline Abela specializes in complex business and estate litigation matters. Focusing on commercial and corporate litigation and estates and trusts litigation, Caroline represents clients ranging from large corporations and institutions to small business owners and professionals. Caroline has appeared as counsel before all levels of courts in Ontario and the Federal Court of Canada. Caroline has been named in the Who’s Who Legal for Asset Recovery and in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Dire...

Andrew Valentine's charities and non-profit law practice focuses on providing advice to organizations on issues including gift planning, incorporation and registration, ongoing compliance matters, and audits. Andrew also deals extensively with non-profit corporate governance and corporate structuring issues, advising on corporate restructuring, directors' duties and liabilities, governance best practices, bylaws and policies, and membership disputes. Andrew also has expertise in social enterp...