Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates
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State
Ann L. Fowler-Cruz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Ann L., who practices law in Danbury, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ann L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lisa Monihan is a Partner in the Trusts & Estates Practice Group, and she also serves as a practice group co- coordinator. Her practice is focused on wealth transfer planning for individuals and fiduciaries, including income, gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning; trust and estate administration; multi-generational family issues; retirement planning; succession planning for closely-held businesses; and charitable planning. A client once told Lisa that the decision to...
Marcia V. Andrew is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Marcia V., 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 Marcia V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Patrick C. Emans is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Patrick C., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Seth B. Royster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Seth B., who practices law in Alexandria, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Seth B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carter provides tax advice and other guidance to domestic and foreign individuals and their closely held businesses. In addition to preparing wills and a wide variety of trusts, Carter has established family limited partnerships and limited liability companies and implemented the sale of family businesses to grantor and non-grantor trusts. He has administered estates, established private foundations, advised clients on pre- and post-nuptial agreements, provided post-mortem tax planning advice...
Kimberly L. Battaglia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kimberly L., who practices law in Towson, Maryland, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Martin Hall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Martin, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Martin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Debby graduated from Auburn University with high honors in 1988. She received her J.D. and an LL.M. in taxation, with high honors, from the University of Alabama. She was an editor of the Alabama Law Review, a member of the Jessup International Moot Court Team, a member of the Moot Court Board, and a finalist in the John A. Campbell Moot Court Competition. Debby has practiced with the law firm of Capell & Howard, P.C., in Montgomery since her admittance to the Bar in 1991. She specializes...
James K. Estabrook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Trusts and Estates. James K., who practices law in New Providence, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Allison B. Christensen is an experienced litigation attorney, handling disputes in Southwest Florida and around the state, in both state and federal court. She works closely with her clients to deliver outcomes that meet their business, personal and legal objectives. Allison is licensed to practice law in Florida and Michigan. She is also the Partner-in-Charge of our Naples office. Probate and Trust Litigation Allison provides strategic counseling and legal advice to individuals and instituti...
Wendy Hoey Sheinberg is a partner at Rivkin Radler LLP in Uniondale, New York and a member of the firm’s Elder Law and Trusts & Estates Practice Groups. Her practice focuses on elder law, guardianship, special needs planning, trust and estate planning, and trust and estate administration. Wendy advises individuals and families on planning strategies that address long-term care considerations, asset protection, and the orderly administration of estates. She regularly assists clients ...
Elizabeth H. Hutchins is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where she is a member of the Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice group and has served on the Firm's board of directors. Her practice includes planning for the management and distribution of clients' estates to accomplish their goals and to minimize estate taxes using sophisticated estate planning tools and techniques. She counsels business owners regarding succession planning. In probate ...
James D. Wegner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aviation Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. James D., who practices law in Omaha, Nebraska, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.