Best Lawyers in Ohio, United States for Trusts and Estates
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Charles Brown is an accomplished estate planning and probate attorney with more than 26 years of experience in probate litigation. He has previously served as Magistrate since 1988, and Chief Magistrate and Probate Court Mediator since 2009 for Cuyahoga County , the largest and most prominent probate court in the state of Ohio. Mr. Brown has handled thousands of cases involving all aspects of probate litigation, including wealth management and estate planning. He is a lecturer and continuing ...
Andrew J. Art is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Andrew J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Aaron Kaplan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts and Estates. Aaron, who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Steve, a dedicated tax lawyer based in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses his legal practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and general taxation. As a member of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel, he brings valuable insights to his role at Strauss Troy. Steve's commitment to the field is further demonstrated by his past position as Adjunct Faculty at Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University, where he taught courses on Federal Estate and Gift Taxation and...
Meredith K. Sugar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Meredith K., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meredith K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kevin R. Keogh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. Kevin R., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
As anyone who has ever argued with a spouse or small child knows, there is a difference between hearing and listening, between being able to repeat what was said and actually taking it in and thinking about it. With Jody Brant, there is never any question that he is both hearing and listening. In a world of loud talkers, it is Jody's ability to listen, to thoughtfully consider the input of others before speaking, that sets him apart as a lawyer and as a leader. For Jody’s estate and wea...
Geoffrey Kunkler joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2014 and has been a Partner since 2018. His practice is centered around estate planning for individuals and business owners, as well as asset protection planning for retirees. He focuses primarily on the areas of estate planning, elder protection, estate administration, charitable and philanthropic planning and special needs planning. He also has extensive experience in conducting educational seminars on legal topics related to his e...
Matt's practice covers a wide range of tax-related areas, including estate planning and business succession, foreign bank account reporting (FBAR) and related issues, entity taxation, exempt organizations, and representation of clients before the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Tax Court. Matt formerly served as an attorney-advisor to Judge Herbert L. Chabot of the U.S. Tax Court, and, in addition to Cleveland, has practiced in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Washington D.C. Matt has spoken nationall...
Joe Rouse is the leader of the Private Client Services Group . He has lectured on several topics in seminars sponsored by various organizations in Greater Cincinnati; serves on the Board of Trustees of several local private foundations; and is active with other civic and charitable organizations. The major areas of his legal practice include estate and succession planning, general corporate representation (including mergers and acquisitions), probate and trust administration and tax related s...
Dave Swift is an of-counsel at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP and a Family Wealth & Estate Planning Group member. He practices estate planning, estate and trust administration and also engages in the representation of tax-exempt organizations. Dave represents individuals, business owners and families concerning estate planning, tax planning and business succession planning.
Jim Bright has been practicing law since 1976. He applies his considerable expertise to advising individuals and families on estate planning, tax planning (including income and estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes), and charitable gift planning. He also provides counsel to trustees of private foundations on administration, initial formation, and tax qualification. Prior to the formation of SSSB, he served as President of Spieth, Bell, McCurdy & Newell Co., L.P.A. Jim is a Fellow of...
As the second oldest of nine children, Bill began resolving family disputes at an early age. His childhood also gave him insights as to how children may perceive fairness and equity differently than do the parents. While some wealth strategists may believe that tax avoidance is the major objective of wealth planning, Bill believes that wealth planning is ultimately about family planning: how to devolve wealth without creating acrimony or bitterness among family members, and all the while pres...
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.