Pierce Atwood Trusts & Estates Practice Group in Maine Top-Ranked in 2020 Chambers High Net Worth Guide

Pierce Atwood’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group in Maine has once again received a “Band 1” ranking – the highest available – for Private Wealth Law by Chambers and Partners, a prominent London-based publisher of guides to the legal profession.

Chambers reports that Pierce Atwood has an excellent reputation in Maine for trusts and estate services. "They are the best trust and estate firm in the state," said a source, while another stated that "they are as good as it gets in Maine."

With six offices in the Northeast, the firm was also recognized for the depth of its practice, with Chambers commentators praising the firm for its bench strength. "They are the deepest bench we have in this area," an interviewee comments, adding: "They can communicate with clients and convey what the impact is. If something is complex, they are the go-to group, they can handle all issues. They are very accessible and you can rely on them to be responsive." One market expert describes the team as "phenomenal - they are incredibly bright and extremely creative."

Pierce Atwood has received this top ranking since Chambers debuted its High Net Worth edition in 2016. Recognized individually were partners Molly Liddell, Jana Magnuson, and Barbara Wheaton in Maine, and Cindy Worthen in New Hampshire.

Molly Liddell, Trusts & Estates Practice Group Chair, was recognized for her work with high net worth individuals and families in estate planning and administration, business succession planning, and tax planning. One Chambers source stated, "Molly Liddell is a high-level trust and estate attorney and an impressive leader." Another source notes, "She is terrific and fantastic. She brings a level of energy and enthusiasm - she has a real spirit about her that is refreshing." One interviewee describes her as "very collaborative," and adds that she is "charming, affable and accessible, as well as technically rigorous."

Barbara Wheaton, who works with clients in Maine and Florida, focuses her practice on estate and trust planning and administration for high net worth individuals. Barbara was praised by several sources for her technical ability, with one describing her as "one of the best technical estate planners out there. Her ability to get to the crux of a problem and solve it is incredible." Another source enthuses, "She is wonderful, I refer everything to her. I value her technical skill and judgement, she understands the dynamics of families and she has an extraordinary skill set and exceptional judgement. She can prioritize projects within their needs, and she is a good global thinker."

Jana Magnuson was noted for assisting affluent clients on a range of trust and estate planning matters. "Jana is very down-to-earth - there are no pretensions with Jana," says a source, adding: "She can relate with clients on a human level in a rather unique way while doing high-quality work." One contributor remarks that she is "very responsive, is great to meet with, and her work is of a good quality."

Cindy Worthen, who practices in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, advises high net worth individuals on estate planning and trust administration matters. One commentator enthuses: "I would recommend her; she would be at the top of my list. She has a tremendous command of the law, she is very creative and you can put her with any type of client and she will design a solution that is appropriate. She is a wonderful human being." Several interviewees praise her communication skills, with one noting that "she can take complex material and reduce it and explain it to the client. She gives clients a lot of confidence."

The Chambers High Net Worth guide, launched in June 2016, covers private wealth management work and related specialties in key jurisdictions around the world, featuring in-depth editorial about the leading lawyers and law firms for wealthy individuals and families.