Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates

Thomas Giordano-Lascari is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Thomas, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. 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.

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...

Casey Dorman Lawson concentrates her practice on business, real estate and estate planning and administration. She represents businesses with the formation of limited liability companies and corporations and advises on day to day operations of the company. She also assists businesses with the sale or transfer of a business entity. Casey advises businesses and individuals in real estate matters including purchasing, selling, leasing and development. She also counsels individuals and families o...

Marc Monteleone is the Managing Partner of Bowles Rice, acting as the firm’s CEO. His responsibilities include leadership, management and administration of the firm. Marc’s legal practice includes federal and state taxation, mergers and acquisitions, oil and gas law, construction law, commercial law and real estate development. He also serves as the chairman of the firm’s Small Business Development Team, which assists small businesses in all matters, from formation through d...

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Kathryn von Matthiessen offers sophisticated yet practical counsel on income and transfer tax optimization. She provides estate and business succession planning for domestic and international private clients, and has extensive experience in cross-border issues. Kathryn's international private client experience is particularly broad. For clients coming to the United States she provides pre-residency planning. For foreign families with US members, she uses ...

Amy J. Sine 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. Amy J., who practices law in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amy J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Theresa D. Small practices trust and estate litigation, estate planning, guardianships and conservatorships, fiduciary representations, and trust and estate administration. Theresa represents clients throughout Northern Virginia. Prior to practicing at McCandlish Lillard, Theresa spent two years clerking at the Fairfax County Circuit Court for the Honorable Stephen C. Shannon and the Honorable David Bernhard. During her clerkship experience, she not only focused on the intricacies of Virginia...

W. Verne McGough, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. W. Verne, who practices law in Cayce, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in wh...

Philip Corbo is a Co-President of the Firm and a member of the Tax, Trusts & Estates Department. His practice focuses on estate planning, business succession planning, fiduciary/trust & estate litigation, and trust & estate administration. He is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Philp represents high net worth individuals and families in matters ranging from estate planning to complex business succession planning. His client base includes owners of mult...

Julia Satti Cosentino is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Julia Satti, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Julia Satti is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Described by clients as a "phenomenal practitioner and extremely bright," Michael Hartz advises on business succession planning, tax-efficient wealth transfer into trusts for future generations and strategies for fulfilling philanthropic goals. Michael is ranked among the leading lawyers for private wealth law in Chambers High Net Worth, where his practical, effective solutions to complex problems have led to consistent recognition. With 40 years of experience in trust and estate planning and...

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

Kevin Birkhead is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kevin, who practices law in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jordan Klein’s broad-based trust and estate practice encompasses all aspects of estate planning, trust and estate administration and settlement, wealth transfer, philanthropy and fiduciary counseling services. His clients include corporate executives, families with dynastic wealth, privately held business owners, professionals, fund managers, family offices and private foundations. Jordan has significant experience designing creative solutions to achieve his clients’ estate planni...

Shirley M. Diefenbach is a partner/member of the law firm of Walker, Lambe, PLLC, where she primarily practices in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law and Trust & Estate Administration. Ms. Diefenbach is also the managing partner of the Trust & Estate Administration department within the law firm. For over forty years, Walker Lambe, PLLC has served its clients, in the areas of Estate planning, Trust Administration, Probate, Taxation, Estate and Trust Disputes, Planning for childre...

Susan J. Spahn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Susan J., who practices law in Omaha, Nebraska, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.