Best Lawyers in Michigan, United States for Trusts and Estates
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Alan A. May is a shareholder with Kemp Klein in Troy, Michigan. His practice focuses on Litigation - Trusts and Estates , Tax Law , and Trusts and Estates , including matters involving guardianships and conservatorships. Mr. May has written and lectured on probate and fiduciary issues and has taught courses at Wayne State University and Oakland University addressing these topics. Mr. May has received numerous peer recognitions within the legal community. He was selected for inclusion in Michi...
David Malson has more than 30 years of experience in estate planning for high net worth clients; business succession planning for owners of privately owned companies; and the representation of dentists, orthodontists and other doctors regarding practice purchases and sales, general business advice and dispute resolution. David also serves as outside general counsel for privately and publicly held companies. David works on estate plans ranging in size from moderate to extensive. Typical projec...
Marilyn is a partner in the Estate Planning Practice Group. Her practice includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate taxation and charitable giving. She was elected by her peers to be a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Marilyn was recently honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of the 2012 Women in the Law.
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...
Laura E. Radle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Laura E. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Laura E. Radle since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Laura E. Radle is held by other lawyers.
William B. “Bill” Acker is a shareholder, director, and corporate vice president at Kemp Klein in Troy, Michigan. His practice focuses on Litigation and Controversy – Tax , Tax Law , Trusts and Estates , and Real Estate Law. Bill represents businesses, property owners, and individuals in complex tax disputes, estate planning matters, and real estate transactions and controversies. Bill holds an “AV” peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the hi...
Cynthia L. Umphrey works with individuals, families, and business owners on legal matters that affect both their personal lives and their companies. Based in Troy, Michigan, Ms. Umphrey advises clients through Kemp Klein on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and business planning matters. Her practice includes Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law , and Trusts and Estates . She assists clients in structuring p...
Susan M. Sutton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Susan M. practices law in Southfield, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Susan M. Sutton since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Susan M. Sutton is held by other lawyers.
Lindsay M. Cummings is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Lindsay M. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Lindsay M. Cummings since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lindsay M. Cummings is held by other lawyers.
Brian R. Jenney is an attorney with Kemp Klein in Troy, Michigan who advises individuals and families on matters involving Elder Law , Trusts and Estates , and Tax Law . His practice focuses on helping clients plan for the future while addressing the legal and financial considerations that arise as families age or experience major life changes. Mr. Jenney works with clients on estate planning strategies designed to protect assets, address health care and financial decision-making, and provide...
William C. Lentine is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. William C. practices law in Southfield, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized William C. Lentine since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which William C. Lentine is held by ...
John T. McFarland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John T. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized John T. McFarland since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John T. McFarland is held by ot...
Ms. Lentz concentrates her practice in representing high net worth individuals in estate planning, probate, and trusts. She regularly advises nonprofit and tax exempt organizations regarding obtaining and maintaining exempt status, corporate governance, and general operational issues. Ms. Lentz has been named 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" for Trusts and Estates by The Best Lawyers in America. She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2008-2017 under Trusts and Estates and in Michigan Super Law...
Robert D. Brower is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1972. His practice is focused on representing a wide range of closely held business owners and executives, their families, fiduciaries, and other individuals in matters involving business and estate planning, probate and trust administration, and contested estate matters. Contested Trust, Estate and Fiduciary Matters Mr. Brower has extensive experience in representing individual and corporate personal representatives, ...
Fred is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Group. He has been assisting his clients with their estate planning needs since he first began his practice, and he has during that time handled a wide variety of estate settlements and estate settlement issues. His particular focus is on counseling clients on techniques to minimize estate and gift taxes, and drafting the documents to accomplish that objective. Fred is also a trusted personal advisor to many of the families he has worked with o...
Neil P. Jansen received his bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Michigan State University in 1984 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1988, where he was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and Chancellor of the Moot Court Program. Neil practices in the areas of civil and real estate litigation, probate litigation, estate planning and eminent domain. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations,...
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.