Best Lawyers in New York, United States for Litigation - Trusts and Estates

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.

Ilene Sherwyn Cooper is a partner practicing litigation and estate planning in Surrogate’s Courts throughout Metropolitan New York. Before joining Farrell Fritz, she served for ten years as the Chief Law Assistant of the Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court. Her responsibilities there included preparing judicial opinions on complex and novel issues; acting as the Trial Assistant to the Surrogate, preparing pretrial memoranda, jury charges, evidentiary rulings and post-trial decisions;...

Ms. Berkman concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, Medicaid advisement and planning, accountings, kinship matters, wrongful death compromises and guardianship proceedings. She assists clients with preparation of estate plan documents, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care forms and living wills.

Daniel Rubin is a trusts and estates lawyer whose practice focuses on domestic and international estate planning, asset protection planning, and estate administration for private clients, including but not limited to family business owners and corporate executives. In addition, Daniel represents many founders and entrepreneurs, often from the technology sector, who seek out Daniel for his practical income tax planning advice, especially in connection with the qualified small business stock (Q...

Jennifer F. Hillman is a partner at Rivkin Radler LLP in Uniondale, New York, and is a member of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group. Her practice focuses on Litigation – Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates, with an emphasis on fiduciary, trust, and estate litigation. She regularly represents clients in both contested and uncontested Surrogate’s Court proceedings, including accounting proceedings, probate and will contests, discovery proceedings, and commerc...

Julian Modesti is Co-Leader of the Business Litigation practice group at Harris Beach Murtha, based in Syracuse, New York. With over 30 years of experience, Julian has a substantial background in both state and federal court matters related to commercial litigation. These include handling disputes among shareholders, partners, and members, addressing business separations, lease and land-use issues, contract disputes, and safeguarding trade secrets as well as dealing with unfair competition an...

Audrey Patrone specializes in litigation and trust and estate matters, offering guidance and counsel to individuals and families in Pittsford, New York and the surrounding areas. She assists with asset transitions during life and after death, handling transfers and sales of family-owned businesses, and managing trust and estate administration. Her practice includes creating essential documents such as wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and pre-nuptial agreements. Audrey is committed...

Steven Holinstat is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Steven, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John R. Morken is a trusts and estates litigator representing individuals, families, and institutions. With extensive trial and appellate experience in the Surrogate’s Courts and other courts throughout New York, John handles probate contests, trust litigation, discovery proceedings, accountings, and commercial litigation related to estates. John is very active as a certified mediator, settling disputed estate matters. He also advises clients on steps that can be taken to avoid future e...

Chanel T. McCarthy has more than ten years of experience assisting clients with their business needs - from lease agreements and contract negotiations to operations and employment matters. Chanel has a wide range of experience in corporate law including with issues related to the hospitality industry. Chanel brings a wealth of experience in the areas of trusts and estates, and other matters before the Surrogate’s Court.

Michael Kutzin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Michael, who practices law in White Plains, New York, has been recognized since 2021. 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.

Eric W. Penzer is a trust and estate litigator representing high-net-worth individuals and families. Eric is a trusted advisor for clients involved in complex challenges related to generational wealth and asset transfer. As an experienced trial lawyer, Eric provides strategic representation in contested probate proceedings, fiduciary accounting disputes, discovery and turnover proceedings, and other trust and estate matters. He is known for being responsive, fair, and committed to achieving f...

Brian P. Corrigan is an accomplished litigation attorney who, for well over 20 years, has achieved numerous victories for his clients in complex trust and estate disputes. Through his seasoned judgment, aggressive advocacy and sound strategies, Brian secures successful court decisions and jury verdicts for his clients. Brian is equally adept at obtaining advantageous results for his clients through negotiated settlements or effective motion practice. Brian’s years of experience in the c...

Frank T. Santoro is a trusts and estates counselor and litigator. He concentrates his practice in trusts & estates litigation and Article 81 guardianships, representing clients in a variety of proceedings in Surrogate’s Court and Supreme Court, including will contests, discovery proceedings, contested accountings, and guardianship proceedings. Frank’s extensive experience in sophisticated and complex trust and estate disputes informs his advice when guiding clients through con...

Yi W. Stewart represents clients in trusts and estates matters. Yi handles cases involving probate and trust contests, accountings, discovery proceedings, construction and reformation proceedings, and fiduciary litigation. Providing thoughtful, efficient advice and litigation tactics, she helps clients obtain resolutions through negotiation, mediation, and litigation. When managing cases for her clients, Yi conducts legal research and pretrial discovery, and drafts motion papers and appellate...

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