Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates

Greg is certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). He also is certified by the North Carolina State Bar both as a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning and Probate Law and as a Board Certified Specialist in Elder Law. Greg has been rated by his peers as being "preeminent" in his fields of law. He frequently lectures to civic and community groups and at continuing legal education seminars on various topics relating to estate planning and ad...

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

John T. McFarland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John T., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary-Kathleen O'Connell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Mary-Kathleen, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary-Kathleen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paula Calimafde chairs the firm’s Retirement Plans , Employee Benefits and Government Relations practice groups and is also a senior member of the Estate Planning , Tax and Nonprofit groups. She has more than 35 years of experience advising companies and tax-exempt organizations on qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and employee benefits, including non-qualified deferred compensation, welfare benefit and cafeteria plans. She is a nationally recognized leader in the field of cr...

Meredith K. Sugar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Meredith K., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meredith K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Jeanette Suarez Hunter advises high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners and family offices on a wide range of tax, wealth-transfer, succession planning and charitable-giving matters. Jeanette takes a holistic approach to helping her clients implement and manage comprehensive estate plans and business succession plans that meet their immediate and long-term goals. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/hunter-jeanette-suarez/

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

JULIA B. MEISTER is a partner in Taft's Litigation, Health & Life Sciences, and Private Client practice groups and heads the firm's Cincinnati Estates, Trusts and Fiduciary Litigation practice. She counsels clients and represents them in business, commercial, estate, guardianship, trust, and fiduciary matters and professional ethics and discipline matters before courts, administrative tribunals, and arbitrators. Julia advises clients on a variety of health care issues, including privacy, ...

Patrick R. McCabe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Patrick R., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff practices in the areas of estate and wealth transfer planning, including preparing wills, trusts, disability documents and marital agreements; estate and trust administration, including fiduciary representation and tax reporting; and asset protection and closely-held business planning, including family limited partnerships and limited liability companies.

Laura Nichols is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s San Diego office, and a member of the Tax, Benefits and Estate Planning practice group. Ms. Nichols is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. Only approximately five percent of California’s attorneys are certified as specialists...

Howard S. Tuthill III (Terry) is a Principal with Cummings & Lockwood in its Stamford office and a member of the Firm's Private Clients Group. Terry joined Cummings & Lockwood in 1993 after practicing for 14 years with the New York law firm of Kelley, Drye and Warren and seven years with the Connecticut law firm of Cross, Brodrick & Chipman.

Stephanie A. Bruno is a partner in the Private Clients Group. Stephanie counsels families and individuals from the US and abroad on their estate planning needs, developing both tax-efficient and practical wealth transfer strategies. Stephanie also represents fiduciaries regarding estate and trust administration matters, with a specific focus on issues relating to charitable trusts. My focus I help families develop sophisticated estate plans tailored to meet their specific planning goals. In d...

Over 40 years serving as a trusted advisor to high net worth individuals, family offices and private investors. Unmatched business, tax and estate planning knowledge. After four decades serving as tax, business and estate planning counsel to some of the nation’s most successful individuals and private businesses, few can rival the diverse matters George Short has handled throughout his career. He is the legal counsel ultra-high net worth individuals and families go to for tax and busine...