Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates

Sara Page Waugh's practice is focused on estate planning, trust and estate administration, charitable planning, business succession planning, and tax planning for high net-worth individuals. As a member of the North Carolina and Florida state bars, Sara Page advises clients in both states with respect to their tax and estate planning needs. Her practice includes the preparation and implementation of wills, revocable trusts, and financial and health care powers of attorney. Sara Page also empl...

Deborah D. Cochran has over 34 years of experience assisting individuals, families and business owners with all of their estate planning needs. Her practice includes designing custom estate plans for each client, as well as tax planning and trust and estate administration. Debby’s personable approach quickly puts her clients at ease and comfortable to discuss their family situation, helping them focus on what is most important to them. Debby then works with her clients to design the app...

Don J.J. Cordell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Don J.J., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Don J.J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Labe ’s trusts and estates and business law practice is among the most highly regarded in the state. He possesses extensive experience in estate planning, estate and trust administration, contested estate and trust matters, business law, business succession planning and tax planning. Robert is a frequent lecturer and prolific author. He speaks at seminars before legal and professional groups, including as a lecturer at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University...

Michael Markhoff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Michael, who practices law in White Plains, New York, has been recognized since 2008. 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.

Joseph D. Reece is a founding member of RMP LLP and has more than 22 years of experience practicing law. He is based in Springdale, Arkansas and serves clients throughout Northwest Arkansas. A native of the region, Mr. Reece earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of the Ozarks, followed by a Juris Doctor from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning and Taxation from the University of Miami. Mr. Reece’s pra...

Lora Howard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Lora, who practices law in Greensboro, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lora is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leslie Grodd is a seasoned tax attorney representing high-net-worth individuals in tax and estate planning, and probate matters. He also handles real estate and business transactions such as commercial and residential property closings, creating optimal corporate structures for new companies, selling, and acquiring companies, and purchasing investments. In addition to managing transactions, he counsels and helps his clients navigate potential tax and estate planning consequences. Les has had ...

Richard L. Stockton is a partner in Holland & Knight's Jacksonville and Lakeland offices. He is a member of the firm's Private Wealth Services Group and is very active in estate planning and taxation, as well as probate administration. Mr. Stockton has been heavily involved in the computerization of the firm's drafting manuals. He has significant experience and proficiency in post-mortem and generation-skipping planning, and has written and lectured on various estate planning topics. Mr. ...

Nora Jones is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Nora, who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nora is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Nelson is co-chair of Loeb & Loeb’s Trust and Estate Litigation Practice. Previously, he served as chair of the firm’s Los Angeles Trusts and Estates Practice. He concentrates on trust, probate and conservatorship litigation including: litigation and disputes involving trusts, decedents’ estates and conservatorships; will and trust contests; breach of fiduciary duty claims; and interpretation of testamentary instruments. David also has an appellate practice. His pr...

Trust, estate, business and tax planning attorney Jim Robinson takes a personal interest in the clients he represents, and is appreciated for his dedication to serving as a trusted adviser who cares about their businesses, family and goals for the future. Jim concentrates his practice on estate and corporate planning, working with families and closely held businesses on issues that range from the routine to the complex and involving succession, estate and gift, and sophisticated tax planning,...

Nelson A. Raust is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Nelson A., who practices law in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nelson A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Neal T. Gota is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Neal T., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neal T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edmund G. Kauntz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Edmund G., who practices law in Cleveland, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edmund G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Susan Holzman focuses primarily on estate planning and administration, estate and gift taxation, and income taxation of individuals and entities. Her experience includes tax and estate planning for business executives, professionals, and high net worth owners of closely-held businesses and their families. She provides customized advice concerning business succession planning, the implementation of lifetime gift programs, and intra-family sales, and she drafts and negotiates premarital agreeme...