Best Lawyers in America for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Thomas J. Hall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Thomas J., who practices law in South Bend, Indiana, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Merline is an Associate in the firm. Mr. Merline has been with the firm since 2015. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, in the field of Trusts and Estates. He received his Bachelor of Since Degree from Clemson University, his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and his Master of Laws in Taxation Degree from the Boston University School of Law. He is also a member of the Greenville Estate Planning Council, the Greenville...

Mr. Merline is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. Merline has been with the firm since 1983. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both Taxation Law, and Estate Plan­ning and Probate Law by The Supreme Court of South Caroli­na. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the following fields: Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Employee Benefits Law, Litigation - ERISA, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and...

Timothy J. Krumm is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Corporate Law. Timothy J., who practices law in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Don Rafferty combines his experience in the areas of business restructuring, commercial finance, corporate law, and litigation to provide legal and strategic advice to the firm’s business clients on a wide range of issues. Don frequently counsels clients who either are experiencing financial stress or are dealing with distressed companies. He has advised on sales, acquisitions, and restructurings for numerous middle-market companies. Don has significant experience in transactions, dispu...

John B. Peace, an attorney at Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP, in Little Rock, Arkansas, practices in the area of tax law, business organization, estate planning, trusts and estates, and tax law. Mr. Peace has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1977. Mr. Peace was born in Camden, Arkansas in 1951. He was admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1977 after graduating from the University of Arkansas – Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law with honors. During that time, Mr. Peace was a m...

Luther D. (Lew) Starling, Jr. is a life-long resident of Clinton, North Carolina. He attended Clinton High School where he served as President of his senior class and President of the Future Farmers of America. He graduated from Campbell University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While at Campbell, Lew served as President of the Adam Smith Club, the university's second largest student organization. 1n 1990, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest Univer...

Mr. Murrah's practice is concentrated primarily in estate planning, probate, federal transfer taxation, estate and trust administration, and federal income taxation. He advises clients on all elements of wealth transmittal and preservation, including preparation of wills and trusts, closely held business succession issues, asset protection strategies, and techniques for the minimization of transfer taxes. His experience also includes representation of trustees and trust beneficiaries. Mr. Mur...

Stewart Pressman is a partner practicing in the corporate department and concentrating in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, venture capital transactions, private equity fund organization, securities law, and general corporate and business organization matters. His practice in the mergers and acquisitions area is focused oncomplex transactions representing both purchasers and sellers in a wide range of publicly and privately held company acquisitions and divestitures, as well as takeover ...

Eric Estadt joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2022 and is a member of the firm’s Business Law Practice Group. He has experience supporting a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to individuals, protecting and enforcing their trademarks in a wide array of industries. Eric specializes in utility and design patents in the mechanical, medical device, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries.

Ann Gerwin is an experienced Cincinnati corporate attorney who represents closely held businesses and their owners across Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Her practice focuses on business and corporate law, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, venture capital, financing, shareholder disputes, and succession planning. Ann regularly advises clients on complex transactions such as stock and asset purchases, overseeing all phases of due diligence, negotiation, and documentation. In addi...

Education Mr. Coan received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with honors from the University of Northern Colorado and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Denver. Admissions & Associations Mr. Coan is admitted to practice before all courts in the States of Arizona, Colorado and North Dakota. Mr. Coan currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Colorado Bar Association’s Business Law Section Council and is the Co-Chair of the Financial Instituti...

Jordan Butler is a Partner with Carlile Patchen & Murphy. Jordan helps individuals and business owners with tax advice and planning, business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, trademark registrations, and other commercial and business matters. His experience includes drafting and negotiating, asset and equity purchase agreements, real estate purchases, income tax settlements, lease agreements, and various business contracts. Jordan also has experience with ...

“I enjoy identifying novel and practical solutions to clients’ real world issues and helping them to achieve their objectives in a cost-effective manner.” Chris focuses on sophisticated commercial transactions, banking and commercial financing and general corporate law. He represents business clients and entrepreneurs at all stages of their business development, negotiating and documenting matters, complex organizational documents (e.g., sophisticated shareholder, operating ...

Charity A. McCarthy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Charity A., who practices law in Madison, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charity A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael R. Griffin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Michael R., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.