Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates

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

As an advisor and counselor to entrepreneurs, closely held businesses, and wealthy families and their family offices, Steve Gustafson draws upon multiple disciplines to provide integrated tax, business and financial advice. Steve’s practice has a substantial emphasis in the areas of tax and financial transactions, including structuring corporate, joint venture, commercial and real estate transactions, as well as assisting family businesses with tax and financial planning matters. He als...

Jeffrey A. Kolender chairs the firm’s Estate Planning and Estate & Trust Administration practice groups. He concentrates primarily in those areas and also advises small businesses in tax business planning. A former chairman of the Estates and Trusts Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association, Mr. Kolender has participated as lecturer and co-author of outlines for several continuing legal education seminars regarding estate planning. His topics have included “Advising Cli...

David A. Brauner's practice is based on relationships with clients that sometimes span several generations and is concentrated in the areas of estate planning and the administration of estates and trusts, real estate transactions and the representation of owners and cooperatives, and a broad variety of corporate matters. Mr. Brauner provides counseling and advice principally to privately owned, entrepreneurial business entities and their owners and executives. Long active in philanthropic and...

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

Kennedy “Kenny” Lee focuses his practice on helping transfer assets left behind to the family and friends after a loved one has passed away. For many people, handling a trust or estate after the death of a loved one is a new experience and can be overwhelming and confusing. Kenny explains and discusses legal matters with his clients in plain terms that are easy to understand. This helps make the process as painless and simple as possible because his clients have other, more import...

John Lessel is an attorney with RMP LLP in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he focuses his practice on Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. He works with individuals, families, and business owners on planning and compliance matters designed to address both current needs and long-term goals. John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1970. He received his Juris Doctor, with Honors, from the University of San Diego in 1976, followed by a Master...

Stephen J. Olsen is a member of Gawthrop Greenwood’s Trusts & Estates Department, practicing in the areas of Estate, Trust Administration, Estate Planning Taxation, and Business Transactions. He is also one of the few Pennsylvania attorneys in private practice with a wide breadth of experience supporting the legal needs of medical marijuana operators. Recently Stephen’s Cannabis Law practice has expanded to provide support to medical marijuana permittees in operation after Pen...

Richard M. Horwood has devoted his practice to business and financial planning, including business law, taxation and estate planning. His extensive experience has allowed him to develop the resources that make him an acknowledged authority in these areas. He advises business owners, non-profit organizations, donors and collectors on a variety of complex planning issues. He advises art collectors regarding key issues such as authentication/provenance, collection management, tax matters, dispos...

Gretchyn G. Meinken is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Gretchyn G., who practices law in Alexandria, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gretchyn G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

James B. Stewart practices in the areas of estate planning and trust and estate administration. While Jim is primarily engaged in various aspects of trusts and estates law, he also handles real estate transactions associated with the settlement of trusts and estates and oversees the firm’s activities with regard to the preparation of personal and fiduciary income tax returns. He also has lectured before the Connecticut Society for Certified Public Accountants on Connecticut estate settl...

Shane A. Hart is a partner in Holland & Knight's Tampa office and a member of the Private Wealth Services Group. He represents clients in estate planning and estate administration matters. His practice focuses on developing comprehensive estate plans for clients in a way that minimizes transfer taxes while achieving other desired goals. He also counsels personal representatives in the administration of estates, including the preparation of necessary court filings and the estate tax return...

Omar Leal is a member of the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate Group. His practice focuses on estate planning, asset protection planning, probate, guardianship and trust administration. He regularly assists and advises clients concerning wealth preservation issues, including estate and gift tax planning, asset protection, incapacity planning and business succession. His work includes substantive contested estate, trust, and guardianship matters, including community and separate propert...

Heidi C. Freeman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Heidi C., who practices law in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heidi C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David A. Handler is a partner in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He concentrates his practice on trust and estate planning and administration, representing owners of closely-held businesses, family offices, principals of private equity and venture capital funds, individuals and families of significant wealth, and establishing and administering private foundations and other charitable organizations. David is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estat...