Best Lawyers in Virginia, United States for Trusts and Estates
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Theresa D. Small practices trust and estate litigation, estate planning, guardianships and conservatorships, fiduciary representations, and trust and estate administration. Theresa represents clients throughout Northern Virginia. Prior to practicing at McCandlish Lillard, Theresa spent two years clerking at the Fairfax County Circuit Court for the Honorable Stephen C. Shannon and the Honorable David Bernhard. During her clerkship experience, she not only focused on the intricacies of Virginia...
Ann H. Larkin is a Shareholder at Midgett Preti Olansen. She focuses her practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, special needs planning and guardianship and conservatorship matters. Ms. Larkin is certified by the Virginia Supreme Court as a guardian ad litem for incapacitated adults. Ms. Larkin has extensive experience designing estate plans ranging from basic to complex. She works closely with individuals to ensure that they and their loved ones are cared for properly a...
Melinda focuses on providing holistic multi-generational income and wealth transfer tax planning advice and estate and trust services to high net worth individuals, families, and business owners. She also advises fiduciaries and beneficiaries on probate and estate and trust administration, and serves as a technical expert working closely with the firm’s Litigation group on estate and trust litigation matters. Melinda brings a unique and diverse perspective from her work in private law p...
Elizabeth C. Morrogh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Elizabeth C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John L. Laster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. John L., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sarah C. Aviles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Sarah C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John A.C. Keith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. John A.C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John A.C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rebecca Geller is an award-winning attorney, a philanthropist, a trailblazer, and a passionate advocate for equality and human rights. Rebecca is also a devoted wife, mom to three young kids + a dog, and community leader. While working as a corporate lawyer for an AmLaw 100 firm, Rebecca witnessed brilliant women fleeing the profession because big law firm partners showed disregard for attorneys’ lives outside the firm. As the mother of a baby and toddler at the time, Rebecca knew there...
John P. Dedon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. John P., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Steven A. Sigsbury specializes in tax and estate planning, estate and trust administration, fiduciary responsibility, and business and real estate planning. Steven’s laid-back personality allows him to relate to clients and instill a sense of trustworthiness at the outset of any engagement. Steven analyzes and simplifies complex problems and offers clients individualized solutions. As a tax and estate planner, Steven works with clients to develop tax-efficient estate plans that accompli...
In addition to being one of approximately 500 Certified Elder Law Attorneys in the Country, Evan is also one of fewer than 100 member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners, selected for this honor by his fellow practitioners who are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. A 4-time Best-Selling Author in the field of Elder Law and the Estate Planning and Elder Law monthly columnist for The Practical Lawyer, Evan received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the Univer...
Foster S. B. Friedman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Foster S. B., 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 Foster S. B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Virginia C. Haizlip is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law, Elder Law, Family Law, Family Law Mediation, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Virginia C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Virginia C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Deborah D. Cochran has over 34 years of experience assisting individuals, families and business owners with all of their estate planning needs. Her practice includes designing custom estate plans for each client, as well as tax planning and trust and estate administration. Debby’s personable approach quickly puts her clients at ease and comfortable to discuss their family situation, helping them focus on what is most important to them. Debby then works with her clients to design the app...
Alison Zizzo is a Shareholder at Midgett Preti Olansen and concentrates her practice in trust and estate litigation, including fiduciary disputes, beneficiary representation, guardian and conservatorships, and elder law. Ms. Zizzo has extensive civil litigation experience and can handle a variety of general litigation matters, including business disputes, collection and defense of debts and contract disputes. In addition, Ms. Zizzo handles complex trust and estate administration matters, assi...
Ashley E. Nimitz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Ashley E., who practices law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ashley E. 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.