Best Lawyers in America for Trusts and Estates

Scott is a member of the firm’s Trusts and Estates and Tax Practice Groups. Part of Scott’s practice focuses on estate planning strategies designed to minimize estate and other taxes, as well as ensure that assets left under a decedent’s will or trust for family members can be effectively and efficiently managed. In addition, Scott has significant experience in advising clients with respect to the administration of trusts and estates, and handling trust and estate litigation...

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...

Michael H. Allen's practice focuses on health care (business organizations including physician practices) and personal services (estate planning, trust and probate administration).

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

Shirley Justice is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Mobile, Alabama office. She is a member of the Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice. Shirley counsels professionals, business owners and their businesses in contracts, entity structuring, individual, corporate, transactional and personal tax planning and also provides estate planning and wealth preservation advise and services for them and others, to minimize taxes and family and business disputes. She represents clients i...

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

Carlyn S. McCaffrey provides legal counsel on domestic and international tax and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals. She also advises individuals and institutions on charitable planning matters. Carlyn is co-head of the Private Client practice in the Firm’s New York office. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/mccaffrey-carlyn-s/

Jessica Scherb represents individuals and businesses in a wide variety of estate planning and corporate transactions matters. Jessica was recognized as a “Rising Star” by New England Super Lawyers, Estate Planning & Probate, Mergers & Acquisitions each year from 2011 to 2019. In 2020, she authored a chapter in A Practical Guide to Probate in Maine. Drawing on a deep well of professional experience, Jessica regularly speaks on estate planning and trust and estate administra...

David A. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. David A., who practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhau...

Robert L. Lancaster is a Principal in Cummings & Lockwood's Private Clients Group and is based in the Naples office. Rob focuses his practice on the areas of wealth preservation planning, estate planning and business succession planning. Today’s litigious environment compels individuals to proactively engage in strategies to preserve their wealth. Just as physicians are all too familiar with the inherent risks of practicing medicine, so too should entrepreneurs, executives and other...

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

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

Andrea DeFrain has moved to of-counsel status after practicing since 1981 and as a member of the Bodman High Net Worth Practice Group since 2005. Ms. DeFrain concentrated her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and gift taxation, and probate administration. During her career, she was an adviser to individuals and families on a variety of personal and related tax matters. She continues to participate in the firm’s representation of certain clients. In addition, Ms. DeFrain h...

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Kathryn von Matthiessen offers sophisticated yet practical counsel on income and transfer tax optimization. She provides estate and business succession planning for domestic and international private clients, and has extensive experience in cross-border issues. Kathryn's international private client experience is particularly broad. For clients coming to the United States she provides pre-residency planning. For foreign families with US members, she uses ...

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.

Jennifer Williams Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jennifer Williams, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer Williams is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.