Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Eric S. T. Young is a sole practitioner with 30 years of experience in estate planning, probate and trust law. He is a graduate of Harvard University and the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii. Mr. Young concentrates his practice in estate planning and trust and probate litigation and dispute resolution. Mr. Young has been awarded Best Lawyers in America “Hawaii Lawyer of the Year” seven times - in “Trusts and Estates” (2020, 2023 and 2025) and &...

Rose Sher is a partner in the Tax Practice Group and a member of the trust and estates team. Rose is a board-certified estate planning and administration specialist, as certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. She advises clients on all aspects of wills, trusts, estate and gift tax planning, asset valuations, business succession planning, and estate administration. Rose represents a broad range of high-net-worth individuals and families. She understands the unique goals and n...

J. Aaron Nelson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. J. Aaron, who practices law in Bluffton, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Aaron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Madeleine M.V. Young practices in the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Estates and Business & Commercial Law practice groups. Her practice focuses on probate and trust litigation, estate planning, conservatorship and guardianship proceedings, estate and trust administration, and property conveyances. Madeleine previously practiced at various private law firms in California and Hawaii, and is experienced in complex business disputes. Prior to joining Damon Key in 2013, she was an attorney ...

Kurt A. Sommer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Kurt A., who practices law in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kurt A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary Agnes Hood Craig is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law, Litigation - ERISA, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Mary Agnes Hood, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition...

Tom has over 30 years of experience in helping clients efficiently and effectively define their estate planning goals and to arrange their affairs accordingly. His expertise includes facilitating the direction of a client-centered and directed strategy and then drafting clear and understandable legal documents to implement it, thereby protecting client wealth, closely-held businesses, and families from taxes, post-mortem chaos and expense, and unnecessary complexity. He has expertise and expe...

Elizabeth Hughes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Elizabeth, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom’s practice includes design and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, active administration of trust accounts, settlement of decedent’s estates, estate taxation, and charitable gift planning. He advises many of Varnum's family business owners and is a member of our Family Business Team. Tom currently serves as the Firm's Executive Partner, one of our two Managing Partners. Previously, he served five years as the chair of the Firm's Estate Planning, Tax, and Employee Ben...

Herbert E. Tucker, IV, was born in Lake Forest, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Colorado (B.S. 1979) and Mississippi College (J.D. 1985). He is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. District Court, District of Colorado; U.S. Court of Appeals,Tenth Circuit; and Colorado State Courts. Mr. Tucker served as a Law Clerk to Judge Field C. Benton, Denver Probate Court (1985-1986). Mr. Tucker is a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He is a member of t...

Casey is a litigator who represents corporations and individuals in commercial disputes, and navigates families, businesses, and individuals through trust and estate conflicts. Experienced in the litigation process, Casey regularly represents clients in shareholder and securities disputes, as well as other business-related claims, in multiple jurisdictions. He represents clients in probate, state, federal, and appellate courts, recently helping resolve multiple proceedings initiated by benefi...

Austin Bond is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Austin, who practices law in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Austin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lee M. Russell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Real Estate Law. Lee M., who practices law in Montgomery, Alabama, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lee M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Donald E. Godwin is considered one of the most respected and tenacious trial lawyers in Texas. For over 40 years Don has tried significant jury cases in courts throughout Texas and across the United States. He has the ability to translate complex matters of law and fact into easily understandable language for courts and juries. Don's practice covers a broad range of areas with an emphasis on complex litigation, including oil and gas, environmental, fiduciary duties, will contests, major famil...

Rachel Harris counsels clients in connection with all aspects of domestic and international estate planning for individuals and families, pre-immigration planning prior to arrival in the U.S., trust and estate administration, trust and estate income taxation, charitable giving, and operation of tax-exempt organizations. Her practice extends to all facets of estate and gift tax planning and encompasses multijurisdictional and international matters. Highly regarded for her breadth of experience...

In May 2018, Ammon joined Michaelson Law. His primary area of practice is Adult Guardianships, where he employs his expertise to assist guardians, protected persons and the healthcare community in negotiating the court system. Ammon graduated from Brigham Young University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies and a Minor in Spanish, which he speaks fluently. After graduation, he worked as a police officer in Wyoming for four years. In 2008, Ammon returned to school to obt...