Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates
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Mr. Merline is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. Merline has been with the firm since 1983. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both Taxation Law, and Estate Planning and Probate Law by The Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the following fields: Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Employee Benefits Law, Litigation - ERISA, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and...
John K. Matsumoto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. John K., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Katie L. S. Von Kohorn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Katie L. S., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katie L. S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Douglas D. Lee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Douglas D., who practices law in Springfield, Missouri, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jolyon Acosta’s practice focuses on private wealth services for high net worth individuals, families, and multi-generational business owners. Mr. Acosta counsels clients in a variety of complex estate and business planning matters related to their wealth management needs. He has extensive experience advising clients on matters involving estate, gift, and income taxes, and routinely assists family businesses in succession and other planning matters. Mr. Acosta represents clients across a...
Kimberly Civins has worked with wealthy individuals, families, executors and trustees for over 20 years and utilizes that expertise to assist clients with accomplishing their goals for wealth structuring and transfers. Kim concentrates her practice in: Estate planning Estate administration Trusts Tax exempt entities (including public charities and private foundations) Transfer tax (estate, gift and generation skipping transfer taxes and IRS audits) Business succession planning Federal and sta...
Michael G. Little is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Michael G., who practices law in Clearwater, Florida, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mark’s practice is focused on domestic and international private client matters for affluent individuals and their families. His clients include entrepreneurs, corporate executives, family offices, real estate developers, business owners and investment bankers, as well as artists, writers, collectors and philanthropists. He has more than twenty years experience in all aspects of estate and gift planning for individuals and families, many with complex multi-generational or multi-jurisdic...
Clients appreciate that Margaret doesn’t employ a “one size fits all” approach, instead leveraging a thoughtful and thorough conversation to weigh the impact of a range of issues. With estate planning, for instance, that can mean going beyond tax implications to carefully consider dynamics in the client’s family relationships and the strengths and personalities of each individual involved. Whether assisting a young married couple with concerns of how a trust will be ad...
High net worth individuals seek Howard’s advice for their complex wealth and estate planning needs. His estate planning experience includes preparing wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and charitable trusts. In collaboration with those he serves, Howard advises on the design and execution of a transition plan that realizes even the most distinct objectives. He also advises on asset protection planning, ...
Robert D. Brower is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1972. His practice is focused on representing a wide range of closely held business owners and executives, their families, fiduciaries, and other individuals in matters involving business and estate planning, probate and trust administration, and contested estate matters. Contested Trust, Estate and Fiduciary Matters Mr. Brower has extensive experience in representing individual and corporate personal representatives, ...
Aaron P. Snellenbarger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Aaron P., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron P. 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.