Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates
State
Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, and estate planning. He works with many small- and medium-sized companies and handles all of their legal issues, including business transactions, financing, contracts, licensing matters, and real estate transactions. Jeff has special expertise in commercial real estate development and financing and in the ownership, management and transfer of family cottages, farms and vacation properties. He also represents clients in the agricultur...
Alan S. Parker is chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department. He practices in the areas of estate planning and trust and estate administration. He counsels individuals and institutional fiduciaries concerning their role as executor, trustee and conservator. Alan also is engaged in counseling individuals and nonprofit organizations on activities relating to tax exempt issues, including private foundations and community foundations. He has conducted seminars on estate planning an...
John M. Carnahan III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John M. practices law in Springfield, Missouri Best Lawyers has recognized John M. Carnahan III since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John M. Carnahan III is held by other lawyers.
Janice L. Davies is the Founder of Davies Law PLLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ms. Davies’ practice areas include tax, wealth transfer and business succession planning for individuals and closely held businesses and probate and administration of estates and trusts. She received her B.S. degree from Pfeiffer University; her J.D. degree, law review , from Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law; and her LL.M. degree in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School...
Lisa Z. Hauser is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Lisa Z. practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Lisa Z. Hauser since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lisa Z. Hauser is held by other lawyers.
Todd Bornstein advises individuals and families in Bethesda, Maryland on estate planning, trusts and estates matters , and litigation involving trusts and estates. At Selzer Gurvitch , he draws on his background in both law and accounting to help clients develop estate plans tailored to their personal, family, and financial goals. Todd works closely with clients to explain available options and provide practical guidance on both immediate and long-term planning considerations. A former Certif...
Nichole Wilk brings over a decade of business and legal expertise. She began her law career working in commercial litigation and now uses those skills and knowledge gained to better assist and protect her clients in business and real estate transactions. Her practice includes both litigation and transactional representation. Real Estate: Nichole assists clients in a wide range of real estate matters. Her experience includes assistance with the purchase and sale of real property, leasing, and ...
Mr. Keller is a member in our wealth strategies and corporate practice areas. He concentrates his practice in estate planning, probate and general business, corporate law and succession planning. Mr. Keller is an adjunct professor at the Washington University School of Law in the Master's of Taxation Program where he teaches a class in business succession planning. Mr. Keller is a frequent lecturer and speaker on estate planning, business succession planning and tax issues. He has authored ar...
Chang H. Chae is a member of the firm, practicing in the areas of estate planning, trust administration and probate, entity formation and tax and charitable planning. Mr. Chae is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law (certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization) and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He is a former Co-chair of the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Beverly Hil...
Phillip W. Hilliard focuses his legal practice on estate and tax planning and estate and trust administration. He also works with clients on related real estate transactions, business succession planning, tax controversy matters, and other challenges faced by moderate and high net worth individuals and families. Phillip has experience developing and drafting customized estate planning documents for clients, including Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and a broad range of Trus...
Jeffrey Luszeck is a partner at the firm, where he focuses his practice on trust and estate litigation, business and commercial litigation, power of attorney litigation, fiduciary litigation, estate and trust administration, and guardianship matters. Jeff has represented a broad spectrum of clients—including agents, beneficiaries, creditors, executors, fiduciaries, heirs, principals, trustees —in complex disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, decanting, undu...
Christopher S. Simmons is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Public Finance Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Christopher S. practices law in Montgomery, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher S. Simmons since 2001. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard i...
Caitlin Horne is a member of Moore & Van Allen’s Wealth Transfer group. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in estate planning and probate law, and holds an advanced degree in Taxation with a Certificate in Estate Planning from Georgetown University Law Center. Caitlin’s practice is focused on providing high-net-worth individuals and multigenerational families with sophisticated estate, tax, and busin...
Laurie Ruckel concentrates her practice on estate planning, succession planning, estate and trust administration and estate taxation. Her experience encompasses wills and trust agreements, estate and gift tax audits, succession planning for closely held businesses and prenuptial agreements. Laurie's principal clients are high net worth individuals, closely held businesses, real estate clients and executives of publicly held companies. Laurie also lectures on the subject of estate planning and...
Greta Roemer Lewis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Greta practices law in South Bend, Indiana Best Lawyers has recognized Greta Roemer Lewis since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Greta Roemer Lewis is held by other lawyers.
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.
