Best Lawyers in Tennessee, United States for Trusts and Estates
Bill Harbison works primarily in the areas of corporate law and trusts and estates. He also handles litigation in those same practice categories. A cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, Bill received his bachelor’s degree with highest honors in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Rick Nickels is a member of the firm’s Tax and Trusts and Estates practice groups. Rick practices at the intersection of business, tax and estate planning. A significant portion of his practice involves advising private companies and their owners, directors and executives on an array of state and federal tax, governance and corporate matters. Rick regularly assists with matters ranging from early-stage structure and funding to mid-stage buyouts and divorces to late-stage exits. He has s...
Bill Nichol concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, the drafting of wills and trusts, and probate and estate administration. He also has been involved in succession planning for closely held and family-owned businesses as well as general corporate transactions. From 2007 to 2010, he served on the board of trustees of his alma mater, the University of the South. Mr. Nichol was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 in the field of Tr...
Recognized each year in The Best Lawyers in America since 1983, Mr. Holton focuses on Trusts and Estates Law, Tax Law, and Non-Profit/Charities. He was honored as Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year in 2013 and has been acknowledged in Mid-South Super Lawyers, Nashville Bar Journal Best of the Bar, and Nashville Post Best Lawyers in Nashville. As a Nashville Bar Foundation Fellow and Certified Public Accountant in Tennessee since 1973 (status: Inactive), Mr. Holton brings a wealth of experience t...
Wayne R. Kramer has over 38 years of experience in his practice areas of Tax, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Administration and Trusts, and Corporate and Transactional. He represents individuals as well as a wide variety of small businesses and large companies. Mr. Kramer has a sound understanding of the law and is problem solver. He searches for "common ground" between parties in conflict and finds the counseling aspect of law to be the most rewarding. He has provided guidance to individuals,...
Jackson G. Kramer, a highly skilled, knowledgeable and trusted counselor who has over 33 years of legal experience, concentrates his practice in the areas of Corporate and Transactional, Real Estate, Estate Planning, Administration and Trusts, and Local Government and Public Utilities. He is a strong but reasonable advocate for his clients. His primary goal is to help his clients solve their legal issues and achieve their overall objectives while simultaneously protecting their best interests.
Steven H. McCleskey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Steven H., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Paul R. Lawler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Paul R., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Wohlfarth concentrates his practice on estate planning and the drafting of wills and trusts, specifically addressing issues related to federal and state estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes as well as asset protection. He has had extensive experience with various estate planning tools, such as wills and revocable trusts which utilize the federal estate tax exemption amount, irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), "Crummey" trusts, qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs), Ten...
Andrea Sinclair is a trusted counselor and valued guide for individuals and families as she helps them plan for and navigate life’s joys, challenges, and transitions. She understands that the trust and estate planning, administration, and litigation matters she handles are both deeply personal and profoundly impactful. She also recognizes that clients often call upon her during times of mourning, conflict, or stress. Combining legal acumen with a deep sense of empathy and genuine concer...
Brian C. Mayberry is a respected attorney with extensive experience in Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates. He serves clients in Nashville, Tennessee at Holton & Mayberry PC. Throughout his legal career, Brian C. has been honored since 2013, a testament to his dedication and service in the legal community. His recognition is based on a comprehensive peer-review survey that highlights the respect he has earned among fellow attorneys in his practice areas. Brian C.'s ...
Joe’s practice is focused on federal, state and local taxation, including planning and controversy resolution. Joe has represented clients successfully before the Tennessee tax administrative bodies and before Tennessee courts, including the Tennessee Supreme Court. Joe represents a number of Fortune 500 companies with respect to their Tennessee tax matters. Joe also represents clients in federal tax controversy resolution, including administrative appeals and representation before the ...
Shaheen Imami is a nationally recognized trusts and estates attorney with more than 30 years of experience. Admitted in Tennessee and Michigan, he brings rare expertise across the full spectrum of trust and estate planning, administration, and litigation. First known for handling complex post-death disputes, Shaheen now primarily focuses on advising high- and ultra-high net-worth clients on sophisticated planning and administration strategies and drafts a wide range of estate documents tailor...
John J. Cook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John J., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Will’s practice includes banking and creditor relations, corporate and finance matters, and Real Estate Law, with a significant focus on Trusts and Estates, estate planning, probate, and elder law. He regularly works with individuals, families, and businesses in Jackson, Tennessee and throughout the surrounding region, providing practical guidance on transactions, property matters, and long-term planning. To help clients, CPAs, and fellow attorneys stay informed, Will publishes a monthl...
Tricia M.Y. Tweel is an attorney in Memphis, Tennessee with Harris Shelton PLLC whose practice centers on trusts and estates. For more than a decade, she has assisted individuals and families with estate planning , probate administration, and trust-related matters. She works with clients to understand their personal and financial goals and helps them develop estate plans designed to address those priorities. Tricia advises clients on a range of estate planning tools, including wills, trusts, ...
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.