Best Lawyers in Florida, United States for Litigation - Trusts and Estates
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L. Reed Bloodworth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. L. Reed, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which L. Reed is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Robert B. Judd is a shareholder whose practice encompasses estate and healthcare planning, the administration of complex estates and trusts, and probate, trust, and fiduciary related litigation. Originally from upstate New York, Mr. Judd has been a resident of Fort Lauderdale since 1985. He has earned an AV Preeminent rating as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell, has been designated in “Best Lawyers in America” for several years in the areas of trusts and estates and r...
James R. George practices in the areas of fiduciary litigation, including litigation arising from estates, trusts and guardianships. Mr. George often serves as an expert witness and as mediator in trust and estate matters. Mr. George earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto and his J.D., with Honors, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mr. George is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Est...
Scott C. Ilgenfritz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Securities and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Scott C., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
For more than 25 years, Patrick has represented clients in complex litigation and appellate matters in both federal and state courts. He has extensive litigation and trial experience with cases involving fiduciary litigation, estates and trust litigation, non-compete agreements, contract disputes, business valuations, business dissolution, employment disputes, business torts, intellectual property, products liability, real estate litigation, professional malpractice and other business dispute...
Cristina Papanikos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Cristina, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cristina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Richard C. Milstein concentrates his practice on complex, not so complex, and high conflict trust, probate, estate, and guardianship litigation and administration, and family law matters. With Richard’s over four decades of experience in these areas, he ably assists clients and members of families, whether related or not, with resolution of their issues in a caring and sensitive manner. In addition to litigation and administration services, Richard provides life and estate planning advi...
Robert W. Lang is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Robert W., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John D. Gast has decades of experience working with families as they plan their estates. John has lived in Southwest Florida for over 30 years and concentrates his practice on estate planning, charitable gift planning, life insurance, domicile planning, probate litigation, trust and estate settlement and taxation. John knows each family is different and works with them to craft a custom plan that fits their individual needs.
Casey W. Arnold is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Casey W., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Casey W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice a...
Jason L. Odom is an attorney with Gould Cooksey Fennell PA in Vero Beach, Florida. His practice includes Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. He serves individuals and families throughout the Vero Beach area and surrounding communities, handling a wide range of litigation-related matters. Jason has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2024 for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Litigation – Trusts and Estate...
Hamden was born in Clearwater, Florida, and is a third-generation lawyer. Hamden attended Florida State University, where he obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in 1976, followed by his Master’s Degree in Criminology in 1979. Hamden attended Oklahoma City University Law School, and graduated with Honors, in 1983, and after serving as a staff attorney, to the Honorable Patricia Robinson, First District Court of Appeal, he attended the University of Florida, where he obtained his Mas...
Charles (Chuck) Rubin is Florida Bar Board Certified Tax Attorney and managing partner of Gutter Chaves Josepher Rubin Forman Fleisher Miller P.A., a boutique law firm located in Boca Raton which practices principally in the areas of tax, estate planning, trusts and estates, and trust and estate litigation. He has authored numerous publications, including BNA Tax Portolios, books, and articles published in national publications such as the Journal of Taxation and Estate Planning. Since 2005 h...
Christopher W. Boyett co-chairs Holland & Knight's National Private Wealth practice. Mr. Boyett advises domestic and international wealthy families throughout Florida on sophisticated estate planning strategies and options and counsels family businesses on succession planning and tax planning. Additionally, he advises both institutional and individual clients on estate and trust administration issues. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Miami School of Law, Graduate Program in...
Neil R. Chrystal is a founding shareholder of Dunwody White & Landon, P.A. Mr. Chrystal attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland where he received his J.D., and Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea where he received his undergraduate degree in business administration. He attends numerous continuing legal education seminars annually. Mr. Chrystal is admitted to the Florida, Ohio and Federal Bar, U.S. Tax Court. Mr. Chrystal is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate C...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.