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

Shannon Bauer Miloch 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. Shannon Bauer, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shannon Bauer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

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

Sierra L. McConnell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law and Privacy and Data Security Law. Sierra L., who practices law in Des Moines, Iowa, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sierra L. is hel...

Matt Bender counsels real estate development and private equity companies throughout the country on corporate, tax and transactional real estate matters. In the corporate realm, he works with clients on general organizational structures, joint venture agreements, asset and equity purchase and sale agreements, private placements and tax-related issues. In his real estate transactional work, which often requires synthesis with corporate matters, he advises clients on acquisitions and dispositio...

Maria Rios Martinez is an associate with Helsell Fetterman LLP in Seattle, Washington and a member of the firm’s Business and Real Estate and Land Use Practice Groups. Her practice focuses on advising businesses, property owners, and developers on transactional and governance matters involving Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, and Real Estate Law. In her corporate practice, Maria works with companies throughout th...

Patrick Ellis 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 Governance and Compliance Law. Patrick, who practices law in Traverse City, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal pra...

Ryan Schultz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Family Law and Family Law: Arbitration and Mediation. Ryan, who practices law in Wilmington, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Genheimer is a member of the Carruthers & Roth business, tax and estate planning practice where he works with a wide variety of individuals, high net worth families, entrepreneurs and closely-held family owned businesses. He focuses on helping clients with all aspects of forming, operating and transitioning family owned and closely held businesses, with an emphasis on buying and selling businesses. Chris also assists clients with estate planning, estate and trust administration and ...

Professional Experience Greg serves as a trusted advisor for individuals and families navigating the complex legal landscape of their lives. He advises clients on the full array of estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, charitable planning, tax planning, and international estate planning—always focused on providing practical and creative solutions. Greg also assists tax-exempt organizations on entity formation, grant-making, board fiduciary duties, corporate governance matter...

Chris utilizes his extensive tax and accounting background to assist high-net-worth individuals and closely held businesses with establishing and implementing sophisticated wealth transfer strategies, charitable planning, and business formation and restructuring. He also has extensive experience in tax controversy, the purchase, sale and operation of private aircraft, and tax planning for real estate transactions. Given the personal nature of his work, Chris takes the time to understand each ...

Lindsay Dial is a corporate and commercial transactions attorney who focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, business transactions, corporate governance, and general corporate matters. She represents clients in connection with merger agreements and investment documentation in private equity, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital transactions. Lindsay works with clients across a variety of industries, assisting with strategic transactions, corporate governance, and ...

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

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

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

Emily B. Penaskovic 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, Intellectual Property Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Emily B., who practices law in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which...