Pierce Atwood's Maine Trusts & Estates Practice Group Top-Ranked in 2021 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 is "a top-notch, full-service law firm with well-rounded expertise in every area important to high net worth clients.”

With six offices in the Northeast, Pierce Atwood was recognized by one source as “one of the best firms in the region; they are my preferred choice of law firm," adding, "I think the way they treat clients is impressive, their service is outstanding and their lawyers are brilliant. They show a lot of empathy dealing with families and complex family structures." Another source commented, "They are terrific to work with. They are very knowledgeable, they have a great deal of experience and they act in the client's best interests."

Pierce Atwood has received this top ranking since Chambers debuted its High Net Worth inaugural 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, advises high net worth clients on a range of private wealth matters, including estate, tax, and succession planning. Described as a “very bright, personable lawyer who is wonderful to work with,” Chambers has recognized Molly as “a leader in the market for T&E work.”

One impressed source enthused, "I think Molly is a very impressive lawyer. Molly has great empathy for clients and I am always impressed with how she deals with very complex family dynamics in a very smooth way. She has huge technical ability and is able to walk clients through complex matters." Another source commented, "Molly is responsive and she communicates in a manner that represents the perfect mix of candor, confidence, and humility."

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. Chambers sources call Barbara, “incredibly talented” and is widely admired for her expertise advising high net worth clients and their families. Another source reported, "I think Barbara's knowledge of the law is fantastic, she is attentive to what her clients want and need, and she is very creative in her solutions. She will speak honestly and straightforwardly to a client." Another interviewee observed, "She is very collaborative and always advocates strongly for her clients' positions, but without being aggressive because she always considers the other party's point of view. I really enjoy working with her and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her."

Jana Magnuson was recognized for her experience advising high net worth individuals on matters related to trust and estate planning and administration, as well as special needs trusts. One Chambers source stated, "I think she is great to work with.” She has a unique combination of being very smart and very down to earth. She has a unique ability to relate to her clients and relate particularly to clients in northern New England."

Cynthia Worthen, who practices in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, has a reputation in the market for her experience advising high net worth families. One commenter enthused, “She is one of the most fantastic lawyers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. She is very attuned to clients' needs, very creative, and very personable. I would put her at the very top of the list." Another source commented, "She has been a really excellent lawyer to work with. She is very collaborative, she gets very stuck into matters and always puts the clients' interests first. She can navigate the complexities of matters extremely well."

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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.