Warner Norcross + Judd LLP and four of its partners – more than any other firm in Michigan – have been recognized for excellence in private wealth law in the inaugural edition of Chambers High Net Worth guide.
Chambers and Partners debuted the rankings in late June, producing its first publication aimed at the international private wealth market. Law firms and attorneys were refereed by clients for their expertise in family office, charitable planning, wealth transfer, business succession planning, estate tax planning, trust disputes and other areas of private wealth management.
Warner received a Band 1 rating as a law firm. Partners Carl W. Dufendach, Mark K. Harder, Susan Gell Meyers and David L.J.M. Skidmore were also recognized as notable practitioners.
“We are gratified that Warner has been recognized internationally for the depth and expertise of estate planning and wealth management law services that we provide clients,” said Douglas A. Dozeman, managing partner of Warner. “Not only do we have one of the largest Trusts and Estates Practice Groups in the state, we also have an incredibly talented legal team who are skilled in their practice areas and dedicated to providing exceptional client service.”
Warner was called a “very well-respected firm” and “the best in Michigan for estate planning” in the guide, which noted that the firm offers estate, business and succession planning and other services to high net worth individuals. Notable practitioners included:
- Carl Dufendach, who maintains a broad practice advising clients on trust and estate planning and administration, including charitable giving, guardianships and generational transfer issues. The guide shared: “As a lawyer he is professional and very experienced. He can work with a number of different personalities. He’s a very good listener and puts things together very logically.”
- Mark Harder, who chairs the firm’s Family Office group and works with individuals, families and family business owners on sophisticated estate planning, settlement and business transfer issues. He was recognized for his work in the creation of the Michigan Trust Code. The guide noted his dedication to family business and his expertise with the Michigan Trust Code: “He’s very well known, a good adviser and has good business skills so he can help people with family-owned business. Mark is amazing, extremely technically astute.”
- Susie Meyers, who chairs the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group and and advises clients on estate and gift tax planning, business succession planning, asset protection and trust administration. The guide pointed out: “Susan is a very bright, strong advocate her her clients and is easy to work with. What I like about her is that she will quarterback the case for her client and bring in whatever resources they need.”
- David Skidmore focuses his practice on probate litigation and other contentious matters. He represents clients in a wide range of complex trust and estate pursuits, as well as representing beneficiaries and fiduciaries in breach of fiduciary duty cases. The guide wrote: “Outside the courtroom he is a really nice guy. But inside the courtroom, he is a tough person to be up against – and I mean that in a good way.”
The guide will be used by family offices and professional advisers to wealthy individuals, providing objective guidance on an international scale. In addition to the legal rankings, Chambers High Net Worth also features information on accounting and tax firms, private banks, wealth management firms and multi-family offices acting for high net worth individuals.
London-based Chambers and Partners publishes a series of global guides focused on the legal profession. Warner has been recognized as one of the leading law firms in Michigan by Chambers USA for 14 consecutive years.
By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP builds a better partnership with our clients. One of Michigan’s largest law firms, we’re focused on providing the best legal solutions and exceptional client service to organizations throughout the world. Connect with us on wnj.com, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
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