Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Ben Diamond serves as the managing partner at The Diamond Law Firm PA, situated in St. Petersburg, Florida. He focuses his legal practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and fiduciary litigation. Clients recognize Ben for his meticulous attention to detail, thorough preparation, and adeptness in addressing complex challenges. Ben is well-versed in all areas of fiduciary litigation and has been involved in numerous cases, defending against will contests and breach of fiduc...

Gregory L. Franken is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Gregory L., who practices law in Wichita, Kansas, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cindy Saiter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Cindy, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cindy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessica Guobadia is a litigation attorney and mediator with Kean Miller in Houston, Texas, representing individuals and families in matters involving Elder Law, Trusts and Estates , and Litigation related to trusts and estates. Her practice focuses on guardianship, probate, and mental health commitment proceedings, where she works closely with clients to protect individual rights while helping families and caregivers navigate emotionally complex legal processes. Jessica regularly handles prob...

Charitie L. Hartsig is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Charitie L., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charitie L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dana Dwiggins is a member of the firm's management committee and former managing partner of the firm, where she focuses her practice primarily on probate and trust litigation, small business litigation, trust and estate administration, guardianships and trust and wills. She routinely represents heirs, beneficiaries, creditors and private and professional fiduciaries in both contested and uncontested matters affecting all aspects of trusts and estates. Dana has substantial experience litigatin...

Aaron represents individual and corporate clients in various matters involving fiduciary litigation and administration throughout Missouri and Kansas. Aaron has tried multiple family disputes, including trust contests. Aaron has also handled appeals in Kansas and Missouri appellate courts in matters involving no-contest clauses, powers of attorney, trust administration, breach of fiduciary duty, and the title to transferred property. Before joining Kembell Woods & Martinsen LLP in 2017, A...

Brian Duffy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Brian, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Overby is an Estate Planning and Administration Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. His practice focuses on estate planning, taxation planning, wills and trusts, employment law and general business consulting. He also advises clients on marital agreements, powers of attorney, living wills, special needs trusts, family wealth transfers and the administration of decedents' estates. In his free time, John performs pro bono work through the Pro Bono Project....

Charles W. Pieterse is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Charles W., who practices law in Stamford, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Charlie is a Principal and Co-Chair of Cummings & Lockwood's Fiduciary and Probate Litigation...

Dale Noll is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Dale, 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 Dale is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carolyn R. Caufield is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Carolyn R., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carolyn R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael V. Ciresi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Patent Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael V., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has be...

Mark J. Warner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Mark J., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Pratt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. David, who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2005. 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.

Matthew J. Madsen’s practice includes the representation of affluent private clients in the structure and implementation of complex estate and wealth transfer planning strategies, estate and trust administration and litigation, and audits of gift and estate tax returns. Mr. Madsen advises private clients on their charitable giving strategies, ranging from charitable pledge agreements, donor-advised funds, supporting organizations to private foundations. Mr. Madsen similarly advises tax-...