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

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.

Rebecca Hurst is a founding partner and the Managing Partner of Smith Hurst, PLC. Originally focusing her legal practice on estate planning and philanthropic endeavors of high net worth individuals and families who have amassed their wealth from family business activities, over the past decade Ms. Hurst’s practice has naturally evolved to not only represent her clients in their estate planning and philanthropic endeavors but also in their business, corporate and real estate activities. ...

David Palay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Commercial Litigation. David, who practices law in Madison, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2026. 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.

Mr. Curoe concentrates his practice primarily in representing high net worth individuals in estate planning, tax matters and business ventures. He specializes in helping wealthy individuals and business owners protect their assets, grow their businesses, and preserve a legacy for their families and charitable interests. Mr. Curoe also represents financial institutions and individual trustees on trust administration and litigation matters. He is the chair of Bodman's High Net Worth Practice Gr...

Marjorie Rogers represents businesses, tax-exempt organizations and individuals in the areas of federal taxation, estate planning and administration, including probate litigation, employee benefits and ERISA. She has more than thirty years' experience advising clients on their complex tax issues, wills, trusts, family succession plans, retirement plans, and business entity planning. Marjorie listens to her clients to determine their individual goals and helps clients achieve them with a plan ...

Bradley J. Dougherty is a partner in the Corporate Department of the Indianapolis, Indiana office of Barnes & Thornburg. Bradley concentrates his practice in the areas of business transactions, estate planning and estate administration. He represents individuals, closely held businesses and family businesses. Bradley provides services for the formation and operation of corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, and representation of these entities as corporate/legal couns...

Stephen Daiker focuses his practice on estate, gift and income tax planning for high net-worth individuals, charitable planned giving, and succession planning for owners of privately-held businesses. He is a frequent speaker on these topics and has written articles for numerous publications, including Taxation for Accountants, taxation for Lawyers, The Florida Bar Journal, The Journal of the Missouri Bar, The Journal of Financial Planning, and the Tax Management Journal of Estates, Gifts and ...

Richard M. Hall 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. Richard M., who practices law in Carmel, Indiana, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Hirsch focuses his practice on representing individuals and companies engaged in real estate and business transactions. His clients include manufacturers and service providers in various industries, as well as tenants, landlords, developers, and lending institutions. Mr. Hirsch has experience in commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, development, financing, leasing and joint venture formation. He is also experienced in business acquisitions and sales, corporate organization/governanc...

David A. Thompson 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, Corporate Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. David A., who practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhau...

Stephen M. Sargent is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Tax Law. Stephen M., who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a member of the law firm, Stroud, Willink & Howard, LLC , Joe specializes in complicated transactions, and for that reason he is known as one of Madison’s top real estate and business attorneys. Joe maintains a strong reputation as being detail- and solution-oriented. He is a trusted counselor who listens to his clients’ concerns and cares about their long-term success. Specialties Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges Construction Financing Construction Contracts Eminent Domain

Mark W. Klein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Mark W., who practices law in Southport, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mrs. Monroe is an Associate in the firm. Mrs. Monroe has been with the firm since 2001. She is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Business Organizations and Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, from the Bowdoin College, her Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law, and her Master of Laws in Taxation Degree from the New York University School of Law. She is ...

Jane Higgins Marx joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in August 2000 and practices estate and business planning, probate, probate litigation, business succession planning and elder law. Jane counsels individuals, business owners, executives and caregivers on matters of estate planning, estate and gift taxation, income taxation of trusts and estates, charitable giving, business succession and probate. She provides comprehensive planning for disability, including counseling on special needs...

Scott J. Hill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Scott J., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.