Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

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

DOUGLAS R. BROWN is a principal of Brody Wilkinson and a member of the firm’s Trusts & Estates and Dispute Resolution Groups. Mr. Brown practices in the areas of estate planning, estate settlement, and probate, trust and fiduciary litigation. He represents individual clients in all aspects of estate planning and estate settlement to maximize the transfer of wealth, minimize the effect of estate and gift taxes, plan for incapacity, and plan effectively for disabled family members thr...

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...

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.

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...

Mr. O ‘Neal is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. O’Neal has been with the firm since 2008. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both Taxation Law, and Estate Planning and Probate by The Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates Law. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Furman University, his Juris Doctor Degree from the University o...

Deborah J. Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Deborah J., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Deborah J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melinda focuses on providing holistic multi-generational income and wealth transfer tax planning advice and estate and trust services to high net worth individuals, families, and business owners. She also advises fiduciaries and beneficiaries on probate and estate and trust administration, and serves as a technical expert working closely with the firm’s Litigation group on estate and trust litigation matters. Melinda brings a unique and diverse perspective from her work in private law p...

Ismail Amin is an attorney with TALG LTD focusing on Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. His practice involves representing individuals and businesses in complex disputes, trust administration issues, and estate-related litigation matters. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ismail has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2026 for his work in Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. This recognition is the result of a peer-review process that refl...

Scott Rahn is regarded as a top probate trial attorney, focusing on high-stakes private wealth disputes, fiduciary litigation, and contentious trust, probate estate and conservatorship cases. Mr. Rahn deftly helps guide clients - heirs, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, administrators, charities, creditors and conservators - through the emotional, legal and financial issues that arise when a loved one becomes compromised, is taken advantage of, and after they pass, whenever the theft, manip...

HEATHER J. LANGE is a principal of Brody Wilkinson and is a member of the firm’s Trusts & Estates and Dispute Resolution Groups. Ms. Lange practices in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, estate settlement, and probate, trust and fiduciary litigation. She represents high net worth individuals and family groups with the preparation of sophisticated wills, revocable trusts, private foundations and charitable trusts and when necessary, litigates probate proce...

Erica M. Johanson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Erica M., who practices law in Portland, Maine, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erica M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen H. Gariepy is a partner and National Co-Chair of Hahn Loeser’s Estate Planning, Wealth Transfer & Preservation Section. Steve focuses his practice on leading-edge estate planning techniques. His ability to design creative and comprehensive plans – and make them practical and understandable – has attracted clients nationwide from the ranks of Forbes 400, business owners, families and nonprofit organizations. Steve regularly counsels owners of privately held compan...

Shane Rosson’s practice is focused on general civil litigation with an emphasis in business litigation and estate and probate litigation. Shane has trial and evidentiary hearing experience in both state and federal courts in Kansas. Shane was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and raised in Wichita, Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University in 2007 and his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Washburn University School of Law in 2009. While in law sc...

J. Gregory Carwie is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Mobile, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Trusts, Estates & Wealth Preservation practice group. Greg represents numerous individuals in handling probate estate administrations. His practice focuses on estate administration, probate, corporate and real estate matters for various clients. Greg is a frequent speaker at probate seminars, sharing and passing on his experiential knowledge to colleagues and young lawyers. As ...

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