Caitlin E. Abram
Caitlin E. Abram
CAITLIN E. ABRAM (Chapter 6) is an attorney in the Private Client Group at McDermott Will & Emery in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on trusts and estates litigation. Ms. Abram has represented both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in complex trust disputes, will contests, and reformation and construction actions and is also a certified mediator. In February 2008, Ms. Abram and two of her colleagues gave a presentation at the Chicago Bar Association entitled Drafting and Administering Trusts and Estates To Avoid Fiduciary Litigation: A Practical Approach Worthy of the Grantor’s Trust, and in January 2010, Ms. Abram participated in a panel presenting the Trust and Estate Litigation Update to the Trust Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. Ms. Abram received her A.B. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was an Articles Editor for the Columbia Journal of European Law.
John T. Brooks
John T. Brooks
John T. Brooks is a Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on estate, trust, and fiduciary litigation. He has been elected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007 in the field of trusts and estates; was named the Chicago Litigation — Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America in 2015, 2019, and 2022; and was selected for inclusion in the 2005 – 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers and 2003 – 2022 Leading Lawyers lists. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Brooks earned both his B.S. and J.D. (magna cum laude) from the University of Illinois.
Richard A. Campbell
Richard A. Campbell
Richard A. Campbell is a Partner at Mayer Brown LLP in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in private clients and trusts and estates. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been selected as one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in Illinois and as one of the top 5 percent of Illinois lawyers in estate planning by the Leading Lawyers of America Network. Mr. Campbell received his B.S. summa cum laude from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was Editor of the University of Illinois Law Review.
Michael R. Conway, Jr.
Michael R. Conway, Jr.
Michael R. Conway, Jr., is Head of Legal, U.S. Trust & Estates, Executive Director, and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, in Chicago, where he focuses on trusts and estates. He is Chair of the American Bankers Association’s Trust Counsel Committee and is the Director of Canine Therapy Corps, an Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation. Mr. Conway received his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he was Order of the Coif.
Mary C. Downie
Mary C. Downie
Mary C. Downie is Executive Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at The Northern Trust Company, in Chicago, where she advises Northern Trust, as trustee and in its corporate capacity, on complex legal, fiduciary, and regulatory issues involving trusts, decedents’ estates, and guardianship estates. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel since 2008 and a member of the American Bankers Association. Ms. Downie received her B.A. summa cum laude from Albion College, where she was a Fellow, and her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review.
Susan W. Drewke
Susan W. Drewke
No bio available.
Ryan M. Harding
Ryan M. Harding
Ryan M. Harding is a Partner in McDermott Will & Emery LLP in Chicago, where he is a member of the firm’s Private Client Practice Group. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America 2016 and to Leading Lawyers 2016. He is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and of the American Bar Association. Mr. Harding received both his B.A. and B.B.A. cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he served as an Associate Editor of the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.
Louis S. Harrison
Louis S. Harrison
Louis S. Harrison is a Partner at Harrison LLP, in Chicago, where his practice emphasizes solutions to complex problems, including creative structures to interfamily disputes and litigation, consideration of trust structures to provide creditor and spousal protection, postmortem tax planning, income tax planning, charitable dispositions, and gifting strategies. He is a frequent speaker before numerous groups nationwide on tax and estate planning. He has been an adjunct professor at the Northwestern University Law School, the Chicago-Kent College of Law, and the DePaul University College of Law. He has authored more than 100 published articles on a broad range of tax and estate planning subjects in legal, accounting, tax, and estate journals and periodicals. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (and former Illinois State Chair) and has chaired the Estate and Gift Tax Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. Mr. Harrison received his B.A. magna cum laude from Colgate University, his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, and his J.D. with high honors from the Duke University School of Law.
James R. Hellige
James R. Hellige
James R. Hellige is a Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, in Chicago, where he concentrates in estate planning, probate, trust law, sophisticated charitable giving, and related areas of income, gift, estate, and generation-skipping taxation. He is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the American Bar Association (Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section and Section of Taxation), the Chicago Bar Association (Probate Practice Committee and Trust Law Committee), the Chicago Estate Planning Council, and the Chicago Council on Planned Giving. Mr. Hellige received his B.A. summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and his J.D. cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he served as Associate Articles Editor for the Notre Dame Law Review.
James W. Hitzeman
James W. Hitzeman
James W. Hitzeman is a Partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP in Chicago, where he focuses on trust and estate litigation. He is a member of the American and Illinois State Bar Associations and a member and past President of the Chicago Bar Association’s Probate Practice Committee. He is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers for Private Wealth Disputes and had been named a Best Lawyer in Trusts and Estates by The Best Lawyers in America in 2013 – 2022. Mr. Hitzeman received his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Richard C. Johnson
Richard C. Johnson
Richard C. Johnson is a Partner at Ice Miller LLP in Lisle, where he concentrates his practice in estate, trust, and guardianship controversies. Mr. Johnson has argued cases at the trial and appellate levels involving contested estate, trust, and guardianship issues in courts throughout Illinois, representing both individuals and corporate fiduciaries. He has also written and spoken on these areas. Mr. Johnson received his B.A. from DePaul University and his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.
Ray J. Koenig III
Ray J. Koenig III
Ray J. Koenig III is a Member at Clark Hill PLC in Chicago, where he focuses his practice on probate, trust, and guardianship controversies and litigation. Koenig is a Fellow on the American College of Trust and Estate Council, is Past President for the Chicago Bar Association, and is a member of the IICLE^® Board of Directors. He earned his B.A. from Michigan State University and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Emily J. Kuo
Emily J. Kuo
Emily J. Kuo is a Partner with Harrison LLP in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on estate planning and estate administration. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a member of the Leading Lawyers Network. Ms. Kuo received her B.S. with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.
Jena L. Levin
Jena L. Levin
Jena L. Levin is Senior Counsel to Foley & Lardner LLP in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on estate and trust litigation. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star — Estate and Trust Litigation (2019 – 2022) and as a Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyer Trust & Estate Law (2015 – 2022). Levin received her B.A. with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law.
Hon. Jeffrey A. Malak
Hon. Jeffrey A. Malak
No bio available.
Elizabeth A. McKillip
Elizabeth A. McKillip
Elizabeth A. McKillip is Partner at Levin, Schreder & Carey, Ltd., in Chicago and Lisle, where she focuses on trust, estate, and other fiduciary-related litigation, including contested accountings, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and will and trust disputes. She is a member of the DuPage County Bar Associations and the DuPage County Estate Planning Council. She earned her B.A. with honors from the University of Illinois and her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she was a member of the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal and Editor of the Illinois Judicial Conference Symposium.
Richard A. Naski II
Richard A. Naski II
No bio available.
Julie J. Olenn
Julie J. Olenn
Julie J. Olenn is Senior Lead Council at BMO Financial Group in Chicago, where she focuses on U.S. wealth management and fiduciary issues. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Chicago Estate Planning Council. Ms. Olenn received her B.A. from St. John’s College and her J.D. magna cum laude from the State University of New York — University at Buffalo School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Buffalo Law Review.
Kerry R. Peck
Kerry R. Peck
Kerry R. Peck is a Managing Partner at Peck Ritchey, LLC, in Chicago, where he concentrates his practice in elder law, trust and estate litigation, guardianship, and estate planning. He is a Past President of the Chicago Bar Association (1999 – 2000), coauthor of DON’T LET DEMENTIA STEAL EVERYTHING and ALZHEIMER’S AND THE LAW, and the 2014 recipient of the Justice John Paul Stevens Award. Mr. Peck received his J.D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Floyd D. Perkins
Floyd D. Perkins
Floyd D. Perkins is a Partner at Nixon Peabody LLP in Chicago, where he focuses on commercial, charitable, healthcare, and estate and trust litigation. He was named an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2005 – 2016 and a Leading Lawyer in 2010 – 2023. He was featured in 30 Tough Lawyers in Chicago Magazine. Mr. Perkins received his B.S. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. and LL.M. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. He is also a certified public accountant in Illinois.
Peggy A. Quinn
Peggy A. Quinn
Peggy A. Quinn is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP in Chicago, where she focuses her practice on estate, trust, and tax litigation and estate and trust administration. Ms. Quinn has represented fiduciaries and beneficiaries in litigation before courts in numerous jurisdictions, as well as in connection with out-of-court negotiations and settlements and fiduciary risk management. She received her B.S. summa cum laude from Marquette University and her J.D. cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School.
Heather E. Ross
Heather E. Ross
Heather E. Ross is a Partner at Ross & Zuckerman, LLP, in Northbrook, where she focuses on assisted reproductive technology. She is past chair of the Legal Professional Group of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, a Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys, and a member of the LGBTQ+ Bar. Ms. Ross received her undergraduate degree Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University and her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law.
Margaret E. Sanne
Margaret E. Sanne
Margaret E. Sanne is a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP in Chicago, where she advises high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, family offices, and private trust companies on all aspects of estate, gift, and tax planning, estate and trust administration, family office and private trust company operations, and formation and administration of charitable trusts and organizations. She has been awarded CALI awards for Torts, Legal Writing I and II, Constitutional Law, and Advocacy and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association. Ms. Sanne received her B.A. cum laude from American University and her J.D. magna cum laude from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.
Suzanne L. Shier
Suzanne L. Shier
Suzanne L. Shier is the Wealth Planning Practice Executive and Chief Tax Strategist/Tax Counsel for wealth management at Northern Trust in Chicago and serves in the Wealth Management Operating Group. Previously, she was as a Partner at Chapman and Cutler LLP in Chicago for 26 years, leading the firm’s trusts and estates practice, representing individuals, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries in a full range of wealth planning and fiduciary matters, including philanthropy, domestic and international wealth planning, and fiduciary administration. She is an adjunct professor in the Master of Laws in Taxation Program at Northwestern University School of Law. Ms. Shier has been quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg and has received numerous professional honors and recognitions, including selection for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in Trusts and Estates. She is also a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Estate Planning Council, American Bar Association, International Bar Association, and International Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Ms. Shier received her B.A. with distinction from the University of Michigan, her J.D. cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and her LL.M. in taxation from DePaul University College of Law.
Samantha E. Weissbluth
Samantha E. Weissbluth
Samantha E. Weissbluth is a Partner at Harrison LLP in Chicago, where she focuses on estate and trust litigation. She is one of Chicago’s premier estate and trust litigation attorneys with more than 20 years of problem-solving experience in helping clients resolve sensitive family disputes and complex matters. She is widely cited as an authority on estate and trust litigation. Always striving to find the most swift and equitable solution, she protects the rights of individual beneficiaries and advises individual and corporate fiduciaries as they carry out their critical obligations.
Nora E. Zuckerman
Nora E. Zuckerman
Nora E. Zuckerman is a Partner at Ross & Zuckerman, LLP, in Northbrook, where she focuses on assisted reproductive technology. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorney. A member of the Family Law Institute of the LGBTQ+ Bar, and a member of the Legal Professional Group of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. Ms. Zuckerman received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin — Madison and her J.D. from the Washington University School of Law.

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Litigating Disputed Estates, Trusts, Guardianships, and Charitable Bequests (ARCHIVED 2012 EDITION)

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Caitlin E. Abram

John T. Brooks

Richard A. Campbell

Michael R. Conway, Jr.

Mary C. Downie

Susan W. Drewke

Ryan M. Harding

Louis S. Harrison

James R. Hellige

James W. Hitzeman

Richard C. Johnson

Ray J. Koenig III

Emily J. Kuo

Jena L. Levin

Hon. Jeffrey A. Malak

Elizabeth A. McKillip

Richard A. Naski II

Julie J. Olenn

Kerry R. Peck

Floyd D. Perkins

Peggy A. Quinn

Heather E. Ross

Margaret E. Sanne

Suzanne L. Shier

Samantha E. Weissbluth

Nora E. Zuckerman

Litigating Disputed Estates, Trusts, Guardianships, and Charitable Bequests (ARCHIVED 2012 EDITION)