Best Lawyers in Canada for Trusts and Estates

Adam began his legal career articling with a law firm on Bay Street. After articling, Adam worked with several boutique firms, initially working more broadly in the civil litigation field, then narrowing his focus to estates litigation, planning, and administration. As well as estates matters, Adam also practices immigration law, specifically focused on inadmissibility and enforcement issues in Canada. Adam obtained a B.A. (honours) from York University, then his J.D. from the University of W...

Chris, a Partner in the Business Law Group at Watson Goepel, has been recognized since 2025 Best Lawyers awards for his exceptional work in Trusts and Estates. His extensive practice includes all aspects of estate planning, such as probate and administration applications, wills, powers of attorney, representation agreements, and committee ship applications. Chris is also adept at establishing and managing various types of trusts, including alter ego trusts, joint spousal trusts, and disabilit...

Aaron Pearl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Aaron, who practices law in Vancouver, British Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. 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.

Crista provides sophisticated and practical legal guidance for clients and their families as they navigate life’s transitions. Her creative solutions address both legal and personal matters, leaving her clients feeling confident, informed, and in control of their futures. The leader of the firm’s estate, trust and taxation practice groups, Crista is a trusted advisor in matters of estate planning, administration, trusts and estate litigation. She was recognized in 2020 as one of C...

Éric Forget primarily represents and advises business owners and taxation professionals. His experience includes negotiating commercial agreements, tax litigation and the reorganization and buying and selling of businesses. He has a master’s degree in taxation, which informs his exploration of the taxation and legal aspects of a business’s activities and adds an entrepreneurial flair to his practice as a business advisor. He also offers a variety of services in estate and w...

Susan Fincher-Stoll is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Susan, who practices law in London, Ontario, has been recognized since 2025. 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.

Stephen is a Vancouver-based lawyer who specializes in charities law and estate planning. Stephen provides advice and services to all clients – charities, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, boards, schools, social entrepreneurs, individuals, families, and business owners – in the following areas: Charities Law: Incorporation, Charitable Registration, Board Governance, Compliance and Tax, and Gift Planning. Estate Planning: Wills, Incapacity Planning, Trusts, Business Succe...

Isabelle P. Mercure is a partner and a member of our Business transactions and Tax law groups. Her practice focuses mainly on corporate law, trust law, and tax law. Ms. Mercure has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations (intergenerational transfers), integrating shareholders, protecting assets, as well as tax and estate planning. She is called upon to negotiate and draft various business agreements, including shareholder and partnership agreements, in the ...

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

Howard’s practice focuses on estate litigation, in-person and online mediation and arbitration of estates disputes, and all aspects of estate planning and administration. In addition to a busy estate litigation and mediation practice, Howard advises on wills and powers of attorney to middle and high net-worth individuals. Howard is passionate about the law. He has been Adjunct Professor of the Estates and Estate Litigation courses at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto since 1992, and ha...

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.

Nikki Hildebrand, a partner with our private wealth, trusts and estates team, concentrates on estate planning, trusts and incapacity matters, with a focus on family business succession planning and corporate reorganizations. She has a deep understanding of complex estate planning and works with clients and their advisors to develop and implement comprehensive and tailored estate plans that meet each family’s unique circumstances and needs, including preparing wills, powers of attorney a...

Serving a wide range of business clients, Matthew Bilmes is an authority on tax and estate planning matters. Matthew Bilmes proudly assists business owners plan for tax efficiency throughout their company’s life cycle. He works with commercial clients and owner-operators across generations to effectively minimize tax while helping to propel growth for a future sale or family succession. He is also involved in numerous cross-border tax planning files, assisting clients with interests in ...

Mark Sawyer articled with Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP in 2003 and became a partner in 2010. Mark’s practice focuses on the business and commercial aspects of the law, as well real estate and estate planning. Mark works with many privately held businesses, advising them on their corporate, financing, contract and shareholder matters. Mark provides advice as well on the incorporation of new businesses and the sale and purchase of existing companies. He also acts for clients who are buying, s...

Antonio Iacovelli is an experienced litigator whose practice is focused on successions (estates) and trusts law, as well as construction law. He joined Miller Thomson’s Montreal office in 2007 after having articled there. Antonio is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), a global professional association for practitioners in the field of trusts and estates whose members are recognized as experts in their field, with proven qualifications and experience. A...

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...