Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates
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State
Robin L. Folts is an attorney with Lacy Katzen LLP whose practice focuses on Elder Law and Trusts and Estates . Based in Rochester, New York, Robin L. assists individuals and families with planning for long-term care, asset protection, estate planning , and related matters. Robin L. has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2021 in the practice areas of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. This recognition is the result of a peer-review process that reflects the professional regard of other atto...
Kathleen M. Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Kathleen M., who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathleen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jonathan E. Gopman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Jonathan E., who practices law in Naples, Florida, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Member of the New Hampshire Bar Association since 1993, Martindale-Hubbell AV rated attorney, with over 14 years of experience in the area of trusts and estates. Actively engaged in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, federal and state transfer (estate, gift and generation-skipping) taxation and federal and state income (personal and fiduciary) taxation. Experience includes all phases of administration of estates and trusts; representing beneficiaries and fiduciarie...
Kelley Galica Peck is a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood's Private Clients Group and is the Principal in Charge of the West Hartford office. Kelley focuses her practice in the areas of estate and trust planning and probate law. Kelley has significant experience working with individuals and families to plan for the management, protection, and transfer of wealth, including succession planning for owners of closely-held businesses. She handles complex charitable gift planning, estate plannin...
Nicholas J. Kaster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Nicholas J., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Randell C. Doane is recognized as a specialist in tax law and is board certified in the law of wills, trusts and estates by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization. Mr.Doane is an honored member of Martindale-Hubbell’s Registry of Preeminent Attorneys in tax law and estate planning. His law firm, Doane and Doane, PA, holds the high estrating ("AV") from Martindale Hubbell which is the premier attorney rating service. Mr.Doane is frequently called as an expert consultant for estate...
Barbara E. Shiers is a partner in our Estate Planning & Administration Group. Ms. Shiers previously served as co-chair of the group, and as a member of the firm’s management committee, for many years. Ms. Shiers represents high net-worth individuals, professionals, and entrepreneurs in domestic and international estate , gift, and income tax planning, estate and trust administration, IRS audits, and probate and tax litigation. She has extensive experience advising individuals and fi...
Phil Wagler focuses his practice in the area of estate planning and administration where he assists clients with federal and state taxation, wills and trusts, probate matters and estate administration. He also works with business owners on succession planning and transactions including valuation issues and buy-sell agreements.
Jennifer Williams Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer Williams, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer Williams is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Maurice D. Holloway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Maurice D., who practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maurice D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
J. Thomas MacFarlane works extensively with individuals on estate planning, tax planning and probate matters and with businesses on succession planning and corporate restructuring. Thomas counsels clients on the various wealth preservation strategies which are available to high net worth individuals. He is also frequently asked to represent beneficiaries or fiduciaries in complex estate contests and trust disputes. Tom has represented clients in all aspects of corporate law and has counseled ...
Linda B. Hirschson focuses her practice on virtually all aspects of estate planning and administration and is a past member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel (ACTEC). Linda develops estate plans for high net worth individuals, enabling them to dispose of their assets during life and at death in a manner that meets their personal goals and as tax efficient as possible. In the course of doing so, she helps form and administer private foundations and c...
Rebecca G. Doane founded the law firm of Doane & Doane, P.A., in 2003 after being a senior equity shareholder in a prestigious local law firm for many years. UnderMrs. Doane’s guidance and experience, Doane and Doane, P.A., has achieved the high estrating (“AV”) from the premier attorney rating service, Martindale Hubbell. Mrs. Doane is recognized as a specialist practicing in the areas of estate planning, trusts, wills, estate and gift taxation, probate, estate and trus...
Susan is a partner in the Private Wealth Services practice group. Susan focuses her practice on sophisticated estate planning for business owners, wealthy individuals and entrepreneurs. She helps her clients transfer wealth to younger generations to achieve tax efficiencies as well as protection for beneficiaries and counsels her clients in connection with complex intrafamily issues that wealthy families often face. In addition to helping clients structure their estate plans, Susan advises cl...
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.