Calfee, Halter & Griswold Recognized as a Leading Law Firm in Chambers High Net Worth 2020 Guide

Calfee, Halter & Griswold’s Estate and Succession Planning and Administration group has been ranked as a Leading Law Firm in Ohio (Band 2) in Private Wealth Law by the Chambers High Net Worth 2020 Guide. The "personal and very responsive" team at Calfee is "outstanding and does a good job," according to Chambers HNW researchers, and has a "strong reputation" in this area of practice.

Additionally, the following three attorneys were ranked individually as Leading Lawyers in Private Wealth Law by Chambers HNW 2020: Joseph M. Mentrek (Band 2), Jean M. Hillman (Band 3), and Fran Mitchell Schaul (Band 3). 

Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands from 1 (highest) to 6, and being ranked in any band is considered a significant achievement in the global legal community. The Chambers HNW Guide, from Chambers & Partners, covers private wealth management work and related specialties in key jurisdictions globally. Select attorneys and practice areas are included based on interviews from hundreds of lawyers, family offices, accountancy professionals, tax advisers, bankers, investment managers and high-end real estate agents with a comprehensive understanding of the private wealth sector. With more than 200 researchers, Chambers has been conducting independent research into top law firms worldwide for nearly 30 years and is considered the preeminent ranking organization in the legal industry globally.

Joe Mentrek, Partner and Chair of Calfee's Estate and Succession Planning and Administration group, focuses his practice on estate and business succession planning and provides counsel to high net worth individuals, closely held business owners, corporate executives and nonprofit organizations. One source reported to Chambers HNW, "[Joe Mentrek] is strong on tax and is also very tuned in to family dynamics."

Jean Hillman, Senior Counsel, focuses her practice on estate and trust administration, complex estate and gift tax issues, probate court litigation and fiduciary income tax matters. "Jean has extensive knowledge of estate and trust law and is very experienced in family succession matters," reported Chambers HNW. "She is tenacious in gathering complete and accurate information to complete tax filings."

Fran Mitchell Schaul, Senior Counsel, concentrates her practice on estate and generation skipping planning, the taxation of estates and trusts and the administration of estates. Chambers HNW reported the following feedback describing Fran Mitchell Schaul,"She is a terrific lawyer; she is really fabulous and very expert and can do very sophisticated work. She is an excellent draftsperson and is excellent at understanding technicalities. She just has a really razor-sharp mind and is very good and meticulous." 

Calfee's Estate and Succession Planning and Administration attorneys assist clients in developing and implementing comprehensive estate plans that carefully balance personal goals with tax and administrative concerns. Clients also are provided comprehensive probate and trust administration, litigation services and asset protection planning counsel. 

Earlier this year, the Chambers recognized 23 Calfee attorneys and eight of its practice groups in its 2020 Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business Guide.