Best Lawyers in Illinois, United States for Trusts and Estates
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Louis S. Harrison has long been recognized as one of the premier estate planning attorneys in the country. A founding partner of Harrison & Held, LLP – one of the nation’s most elite estate planning firms – Lou’s practice encompasses all aspects of trust and estate planning, including estate and business planning for closely held companies. In addition to individuals in need of sophisticated planning, Lou represents numerous family offices, public figures, CEOs of ...
Richard M. Horwood has devoted his practice to business and financial planning, including business law, taxation and estate planning. His extensive experience has allowed him to develop the resources that make him an acknowledged authority in these areas. He advises business owners, non-profit organizations, donors and collectors on a variety of complex planning issues. He advises art collectors regarding key issues such as authentication/provenance, collection management, tax matters, dispos...
Bobbi J. Bierhals has built her practice by developing creative and customized solutions for her clients. Her experience centers on tax and business planning for high-net-worth individuals and families. Her clients range from executives and first-generation entrepreneurs to multi-generational families, with net worth from $40 million to many billions of dollars, and include a number of individuals listed in the Forbes 400. Bobbi’s breadth of experience across a wide range of client prof...
William (Bill) J. Butler focuses his practice on estate planning and probate administration matters. Bill counsels family groups and individuals on all aspects of wealth transfer planning, with an emphasis on formulating estate plans that maximize and protect wealth while minimizing transfer taxes. Bill is the global head of McDermott’s Private Client Group and is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee. Bill represents many large, multigenerational family groups, and also adv...
L. Timothy Halleron focuses his practice on high-net-worth tax and estate planning matters. Tim advises individuals and family offices in planning for the preservation and transfer of wealth within families without the imposition of gift, estate or generation-skipping transfer tax. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/halleron-l-timothy/
Michael (Mike) J. Sorrow focuses his practice on tax, estate planning, family business and trust and estate administration matters. Mike regularly advises wealthy individuals and families on all aspects of wealth and tax planning matters. In addition, Mike works extensively with families that control significant public and private businesses, counseling them and their family offices on matters relating to effective tax planning, succession and governance planning and the intra-family issues t...
Partner Nancy M. Spain, a founder of the firm, Spain, Spain & Varnet P.C., which joined Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP in 2022, focuses her career in general and probate-related law. She began her legal career in Cleveland, prior to relocating to Chicago in 1981 where she first worked in the trust department of the former Lake Shore Bank, prior to practicing law at Spain, Spain & Varnet P.C. Throughout her career, Nancy has been actively involved in drafting legislation and working with ...
Neil T. Kawashima has a diverse practice, representing wealthy individuals and families on matters related to estate and gift planning, business succession and governance, and estate and trust administration. Neil’s clients include owners of privately-held businesses, beneficiaries of long-term trusts, fiduciaries and entrepreneurs. Neil has advised his clients regarding traditional and novel uses of trusts, wealth transfer strategies, business control mechanisms such as voting trusts a...
Sarah M. Barnes is an attorney and member of the Trusts & Estates group at Harrison LLP. Sarah concentrates her practice in the areas of estate and trust administration, estate planning, and probate, including decedent and guardianship estates. Sarah represents numerous individual and corporate fiduciaries charged with trust and estate administration and guides them through the probate process when required. Sarah also handles controversies that arise during the administration process and...
Katherine L. Keating is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Katherine L., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jessica N. Quintero is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Jessica N., 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 Jessica N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Raveet S. Phull is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Raveet S., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Raveet S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Known for her responsiveness and practical insight, Ilana Bley helps clients navigate complex legal matters with clarity and confidence. She breaks down complicated issues into clear, actionable guidance, often uncovering risks and solutions clients hadn’t yet considered. Recognized as proactive and solutions-oriented, Ilana makes it her mission to ensure clients feel informed, prepared and well cared for every step of the way. She focuses her practice on assisting individuals, families...
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.
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.