Best Lawyers in New York, United States for Trusts and Estates
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Aline Recktenwald is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Aline, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aline is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Bridget A. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Bridget A., who practices law in Buffalo, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bridget A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
T. Sandra Fung is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. T. Sandra, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which T. Sandra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Based in Pittsford, New York, Brendan focuses on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and related tax and business succession matters. He develops tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies to meet his clients' individual needs and preferences. Brendan employs various tools such as spousal lifetime access trusts, life insurance planning and irrevocable life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, dynasty trusts, asset protection techniques, and vacation home planning. He works collabo...
Beatrice Caplan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Beatrice, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beatrice is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Samantha (Lelito) Beresford is an associate at Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC. Samantha focuses her practice on estate planning and estate and trust administration. My focus is working with clients to develop custom estate plans, including drafting wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, revocable trusts, and irrevocable life insurance and gifting trusts. Each plan is specifically tailored to meet the unique needs and desires of the individual or family. I also assist fiduciaries with est...
Dominic De Mello is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Dominic, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dominic is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Thomas Norelli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Thomas, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kelly A. Zerillo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kelly A., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rebecca H. Lomazow is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts and Estates. Rebecca H., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Theresa Fortin Balducci is a partner in the Private Clients Department. She focuses her practice on estate and tax planning, advising clients of ultra-high net worth to those of modest wealth. Theresa routinely represents fiduciaries in Surrogate’s Court proceedings and advises individuals and institutions with respect to the estate administration process. She counsels clients with regard to the New York probate system and federal and state tax returns. Previously, Theresa focused on es...
Nicholas G. Moneta is an attorney with Rivkin Radler LLP in Uniondale, New York. His practice focuses on Trusts and Estates and Elder Law, with an emphasis on estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning, as well as estate and trust administration. He advises individuals and families on planning strategies designed to address long-term goals, incapacity planning, and the efficient transfer of assets. Nicholas works closely with beneficiaries, trustees, executors, and other fidu...
Carolyn Lavin DeVaughn concentrates her practice in corporate law, banking and finance, estate planning, and representing school districts, private schools, and charter schools in education law matters. Corporate Law Carolyn works with clients of all sizes across various industries on a full-range of corporate services including: Small business formation including LLCs and corporations Drafting operating agreements Creating articles of organization and corporate bylaws Assisting with the sale...
Jonathan Byer concentrates his practice in estate and tax planning for individuals and families, the representation of fiduciaries and the administration of estates and trusts. He frequently designs plans for high-net-worth individuals to help them both achieve personal goals and leverage their gift, estate and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions to preserve and protect family wealth. He also works with young individuals and families to address their current estate planning need...
Cynthia C. Altchek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts and Estates. Cynthia C., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cynthia C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brianna Johnson-King is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Brianna, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brianna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.