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For the fourth year in a row, Sirote is proud to announce that our Private Clients, Trusts and Estates Practice Group has been highly ranked in Band 1 in the 2020 Chambers High Net Worth Guide. 

Sirote’s Private Clients, Trusts and Estates Practice Group provides estate, tax, business, charitable, and special needs planning. Clients include executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, retired persons, charities, philanthropists, banks, trust companies, fiduciaries, families, and family offices. Our attorneys handle guardianships and conservatorships, as well as fiduciary litigation and contested proceedings involving estates and trusts, representing both fiduciaries and beneficiaries.

In addition to the practice group’s ranking, several individual attorneys received recognition as “notable practitioners” for their outstanding work in this area: 

Harold Apolinsky has “a national reputation.” With a wealth of experience advising clients on estate planning matters, "he is incredibly well known in this market, wise in his approach, and thoughtful."

Katherine Barr handles all aspects of estate planning and administration for clients. However, her passion and the focus of much of her practice involves special needs planning, where she assists clients in providing for a child or family member with special needs in a way that does not jeopardize government benefits. Katherine also assists families with guardianships and other protection matters. "She's excellent at special needs planning," comments one source.

Elizabeth H. Hutchins advises clients on all aspects of estate planning, as well as charitable giving and business succession. Her practice includes planning for the management and distribution of clients' estates to accomplish their goals and to minimize estate taxes using sophisticated estate planning tools and techniques. She is an “extremely dedicated practitioner“ who is highly regarded for her work in estate planning and trusts. Another interviewee agrees that "she is extremely knowledgeable and likable."

Craig Stephens represents individuals in the estate planning process, with a focus on strategies that minimize taxes. He also represents families, often multiple generations, and helps implement wealth transfer strategies for closely-held business interests as part of an overall business succession plan. Craig's trust and estate administration practice is designed to help families carry out their testamentary goals, with careful attention to tax implications and family relationships. Sources note Craig “has a very full practice and is extremely well liked” and that his “reputation, attention to details, and follow-through are top-notch."

Since 1990, London-based Chambers and Partners has ranked the world’s best lawyers and law firms with its in-depth guides. Its team of more than 200 full-time researchers prides itself on in-depth, objective analysis of the legal market. The Chambers High Net Worth Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms for international private wealth and recommends leading accountancy firms, private banks, wealth managers, trust companies, and other professional advisers to HNW and UHNW clients around the world. 

To view Sirote’s complete Chambers HNWprofile, please click here.