Practice Areas

Three connected disciplines, not eleven.

We chose three practice areas because they're connected — the businesses we counsel almost always become estate matters, and trust disputes almost always sit on top of either. Doing fewer things means doing them better.

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i. Estate Planning & Administration

Wills, trusts, & the long arc.

The core of the firm since 1987. We work with individuals and families through every stage — from a first will at thirty, through trust funding and amendments, into probate and administration.

i.a

Foundational Estate Plans

Most adults need four documents. We make sure you have them and that they work together.

Last will & testament
Revocable living trust
Durable power of attorney
Advance health-care directive

i.b

Complex Estate Planning

For families with sizeable estates, blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or business interests.

Irrevocable life insurance trusts
Charitable remainder trusts
Special-needs trusts
Generation-skipping planning

i.c

Trust & Estate Administration

For successor trustees and personal representatives navigating the work after a death.

Trust funding & titling
Probate & informal administration
Trustee accountings
Beneficiary distributions

ii. Business Counsel

Outside general counsel for small businesses.

For small and mid-sized businesses without a full-time legal team. We work on flat-fee and retainer arrangements; rarely on hourly billing.

ii.a

Formation & Structure

LLCs, S-Corps, partnerships, and the documents that hold them together properly.

Entity formation & conversions
Operating & partnership agreements
Buy-sell agreements
Series LLCs & holding structures

ii.b

Contracts & Counsel

The drafts, reviews, and quiet conversations every business needs.

Vendor & service contracts
Employment agreements
Commercial leases
NDAs & protective agreements

ii.c

Sale & Succession

For owners moving toward an exit, retirement, or generational transfer.

Sale & merger negotiation
Family business succession
Earn-out structures
Post-sale & non-compete review

iii. Trust & Estate Litigation

When matters become contested.

Most disputes resolve before trial. We prepare every one as if they won't. James leads our litigation practice with a calm hand and a long view.

iii.a

Will & Trust Contests

Capacity, undue influence, ambiguous drafting, and the long shadow of family.

Contest & defense of contests
Capacity evaluations
Undue influence claims
Document construction disputes

iii.b

Trustee & Fiduciary Disputes

For beneficiaries questioning a trustee, or trustees seeking to defend their work.

Trustee removal proceedings
Accountings & objections
Breach of fiduciary duty
Trustee defense

iii.c

Mediation & Trial

Most contested matters resolve in mediation. The cases that don't, we try.

Mediation counsel
Trial preparation
Probate court litigation
Appellate work

Not sure where you fit?

Tell us the shape of the matter.

If you're not sure whether your situation falls into one of our practice areas — or which one — write us. We'll either tell you, refer you, or schedule a consultation.

Schedule a Consultation