PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS

The world’s leading private wealth advisers

USA: Alabama

HNW

chambers.com 2019

435

www.chambers.com USA Alabama

Band 1

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLPBradley Arant advises individuals and fami-lies on estate and wealth planning. “They are a major firm with a significant presence across Alabama,” notes a source. Another reports that “they get into all the details, give you all the options and explain things to you very clearly.”“The estate practitioners have been very helpful for our family from day one,” says a client, who

adds: “We had a lot of issues with the IRS for our estate plan and the firm handled every-thing seamlessly. They always kept us informed about what was going on and what the best option would be going forward.”Notable practitionersWilliam Hinds is highly respected for his many years of experience advising wealthy individuals on estate, gift and generation-skipping tax planning matters. Sources say: “He is very well regarded in the Alabama market.”Ralph Yeilding “has a long track record in this area and lots of experience under his belt,” observes a market insider, who continues: “He has a great deal of knowledge in this area.” He is well versed in assisting clients with con-tentious probate matters, in addition to estate and trust planning. A peer describes Yeilding as a “key name at the Alabama Bar,” adding: “He is an agreeable person and it is easy to work with him. He always ensures he advances the interest of his client.”Scott Adams is “a very good lawyer and a pleasure to work with,” says a source, who states: “We appreciate his high-level capabili-ties and wide range of knowledge.” Adams can assist with a broad range of issues, including estate planning and trusts litigation. Another interviewee says: “He is very responsive, very reliable and has a solid understanding.”Bradley Lard focuses his practice on estate and trust planning and administration. “He was never caught off guard and always stayed on top of things,” says a client, adding: “He made sure we knew all our options and what we should do.” Another says: “He has been outstanding in navigating state and federal tax issues.”

Maynard, Cooper & Gale P.C.Maynard, Cooper & Gale enjoys a fine repu-tation in the Alabama trusts and estates com-munity for its offering for high net worth clients. The team provides a broad range of services, including domestic and interna-tional tax planning, business succession plan-ning and fiduciary litigation.“They are absolutely first class,” enthuses an

interviewee, who explains that “they are very thorough and responsive to my needs as a client.” Another source states: “I don’t think there is anybody in that group who is not highly respected by people in Birmingham. I have heard only good things about the team.”Notable practitionersCynthia Lamar-Hart represents individuals and families across a range of estate planning matters, with particular expertise in disputed trust and estate cases. “She is particularly strong on contentious matters and has a solid trust and estate background,” says a source.Daniel Markstein advises individuals and families on tax planning and business succes-sion. “He is very thorough, very responsive and always gets back to you right away,” notes an interviewee. Another source says Markstein is “willing to go in depth on issues to come up with all of the possible solutions.”Kirby Sevier is noted for his “impressive repu-tation and great involvement in the trusts and estates world.” Sevier handles estate planning and administration. One source says he is “someone people trust and respect a great deal. He is very good at integrating estate matters into wider legal advice, which is very helpful for high net worth families.”Jennifer Justice McEwen offers counsel on a broad range of wealth management matters. She assists wealthy clients with business, tax and estate planning. “She had good rapport with clients and other advisers,” says an inter-viewee, who adds: “She could manage a diffi-cult client and had a good feel for the tax issues which came up.”

Sirote & Permutt PCSee profile on p.438Sirote & Permutt has a well-regarded private clients, trusts and estates practice in Ala-bama. The team provides a comprehensive range of wealth management services. One interviewee reports that “they have the biggest reputation and are most reputable for this sort of work.”“For many years they have been a leader in this field,” reports a source, who adds: “They are a strong team who are well respected at the Bar.

* Indicates firm with profile.

◊ (ORL) = Other Ranked Lawyer.

Alphabetical within each band. Band 1 is highest.

Band 1Hughes Nancy Hughes & Scalise

Hutchins Elizabeth Holland Sirote & Permutt PC

Lamar-Hart Cynthia G. Maynard, Cooper & Gale P.C.

Markstein III Daniel H. Maynard, Cooper & Gale P.C.

Sevier Kirby Maynard, Cooper & Gale P.C.

Stone Dale Dominick Feld Hyde, P.C.

Yeilding Ralph Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Band 2Adams Amy Balch & Bingham LLP (ORL) ◊

Adams Scott E. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Barr Katherine N Sirote & Permutt PC

Lard Bradley Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Stephens Craig M. Sirote & Permutt PC

Williams Brian Dominick Feld Hyde, P.C.

Up-and-coming individualsMcEwen Jennifer Justice Maynard, Cooper & Gale

Leading Individuals

Senior Statespeople: distinguished partnersApolinsky Harold I Sirote & Permutt PC

Hinds William L Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP

Senior Statespeople

Band 1Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLPMaynard, Cooper & Gale P.C.Sirote & Permutt PC *

Band 2Dominick Feld Hyde, P.C.Hughes & Scalise

Leading FirmsAlabamaPrivate Wealth Law

How lawyers are rankedEvery year we carry out thousands of in-depth in-terviews with clients in order to assess the reputa-tions and expertise of business lawyers worldwide. The qualities we look for (and which determine

rankings) include technical legal ability, profes-sional conduct, client service, commercial aware-ness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.

PRIVATE WEALTH LAW Alabama

Contents:Private Wealth Law p.435Private Banks p.436Wealth Managers p.437Leading Law Firms p.438

436

USA Alabama Private Banks www.chambers.com

Oakworth Capital BankOne source says that Oakworth Capital Bank is “a go-to name in Alabama, very trusted for their integrity and their personalised service to families,” and another states that “they are a long-standing name in our industry.”The bank provides wealth management and trust services in addition to traditional pri-vate banking. “They have a high level of cus-tomer service that no other bank can touch,” comments an interviewee, adding that “they are very accommodating to work with and cli-ents really appreciate them.”Key contacts:Michael D. Mims, Managing Director – Pri-vate BankingJanet Ball, Managing Director – Wealth Man-agement

Regions BankRegions Bank is a well-established Ala-bama outfit which has strong links to the Birmingham community. One source states that “they are the largest trust provider in the state and have a very good reputation in our market,” adding: “Their fiduciary services are excellent.”“Clients are very happy with what they do and they have sufficient strength in depth to ensure high-level service for all their high net worth clients,” reports one local lawyer.Key contact:Baker Crow, Senior Vice President – Regions Private Wealth Management

Oakworth Capital BankRegions Bank

Leading FirmsPrivate Banks

They enjoy good working relationships with the wider industry.”Notable practitionersHarold Apolinsky is “a very widely known tax planning lawyer.” He has a wealth of expe-rience advising clients on estate planning matters. One interviewee notes that “he is a big-picture thinker and very well respected in the community as a thought leader.”Elizabeth Holland Hutchins helps clients with wealth transfer and business succession matters. She also deals with the administra-tion of trusts and estates. A source reports: “She is very involved in ACTEC and has strong links with the industry. She has a great client base.” Another interviewee agrees that “she is very involved in the wider community.”Katherine Barr is “an expert in elder law and special needs planning” who is “widely known in Alabama and a go-to name for these spe-cific areas,” says one source. Another source agrees, saying: “She is a strong lawyer and go-to person for special needs trusts. She has significant expertise in that area.” Barr advises high net worth clients on estate planning and trusts, as well as estate administration and special needs planning.Craig Stephens is an experienced estate planner who counsels clients on business suc-cession, tax planning and the administration of trusts and estates. One market commentator reports that “he deals with very complex matters and handles those very well. He does well with clients.” Another source says Stephens is “a good

man and a good lawyer who knows his stuff.”

Band 2

Dominick Feld Hyde, P.C.Dominick Feld Hyde has a strong estate plan-ning group that is experienced in working with wealthy individuals and families. The firm’s lawyers assist clients with estate plan-ning, business succession and asset protec-tion planning, in addition to special needs planning and family law matters.Market commentators describe the team as “very good” and “top-quality lawyers.”Notable practitionersDale Stone is praised by his peers as a “standout individual” and “one of the best technical tax lawyers in the region.” He advises clients on estate and tax planning and probate administration. One interviewee describes him as a “very good lawyer” who has “excellent technical skills and is a regular contributor to the wider industry.”Brian Williams has extensive experience acting for high net worth individuals and families on estate planning and probate mat-ters, including contested trusts and estates. One source says: “He has a huge personality and is very outgoing, he is a popular figure and a real good person to handle clients.” Another interviewee says Williams is “very knowledge-able, and his opinion carries real authority.”

Hughes & ScaliseHughes & Scalise has substantial experience in working with high net worth individuals and families, frequently assisting clients with estate planning, the administration of trusts and estates and charitable planning. It is described as “very good at pure estate plan-ning.”An Alabama lawyer reports that Hughes & Scalise “do some wonderful work,” and another interviewee says that “they have a significant presence in the market and are a well-known name in town.”Notable practitionersNancy Hughes is a highly respected practi-tioner who has extensive experience assisting high net worth clients with wealth transfer and estate planning. “She is a brilliant lawyer,” enthuses a source, who explains: “She is very smart, very diligent, covers all the bases for her client and always goes the extra mile.” One peer states that “she is a leader in the field.”

Other Ranked Lawyers

Amy Adams of Balch & Bingham LLP coun-sels wealthy families and individuals on their estate planning and probate litigation. “She is a very intelligent lawyer, very capable and can handle complex and sensitive issues,” says an interviewee, who adds: “People enjoy working with her and she is popular with clients.”

PRIVATE BANKS Alabama

437

www.chambers.com Wealth Managers USA Alabama

Arlington Family OfficesArlington Family Offices enjoys a strong rep-utation for its offering of family wealth man-agement services in Alabama. An interviewee states that “they provide a strong service and a good understanding of the market.”One source describes the firm as “top-tier,” explaining: “They are very proactive in their approach and work with some of the wealth-iest multi-generational families. They are very good at grabbing the bull by the horns and helping the client achieve their goals.”Key contact:Kenneth Polk, CEO

Merrill LynchMerrill Lynch provides its clients a compre-hensive range of wealth planning and invest-ment management services. One interviewee says Brad Osborne in the Birmingham office is “very good, and he really knows his stuff – he has been at this a long time and has lots of good experience.”Key contact:David Oberman, Managing Director and Southern Gulf States Market Executive

The Welch GroupThe Welch Group is described by one Ala-bama interviewee as a “strong financial advi-sory firm” which is “very good for personal financial advice.” This source says: “They have some very smart people there and I give them high marks for service.”“Stewart Welch is very good and his team are really smart people who know money,” says a source. Another says: “Michael Wagner and Hugh Smith are excellent executives and they do a great job for clients. The market really trusts those guys.”Key contact:Stewart H. Welch III, Founder

Welch HornsbyWelch Hornsby has a long-standing reputa-tion for advising wealthy families and indi-viduals. One interviewee states that “over the last few years they have made a significant impact on the market and are effective money managers.”A source says: “They have a good reputation for looking at investments very analytically and making decisions based on such factors. They are very well suited to more business-minded clients.”Key contact:Terri K. Bandy, Head of Client Services

Arlington Family OfficesMerrill LynchThe Welch GroupWelch Hornsby

Leading FirmsWealth Managers

WEALTH MANAGERS Alabama

438

USA Alabama Leading Law Firms www.chambers.com

Org ID: 65201 3 Out Authorised by: ...................................................................... Date: ............................

High Net Worth Leading Law Firms www.chambersandpartners.com

Sirote & Permutt, P.c.www.sirote.com tel: +1 205 930 5100 fax: +1 205 930 5101

Managing Partner: W Todd Carlisle Number of partners: 77 Number of lawyers: 111

Firm Overview: Sirote & Permutt, P.C. is a full-service law firm with six offices and long-standing core competencies in estate planning, business, corporate, tax, litigation, real estate, and financial services. Sirote’s 110 attorneys handle matters on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, family-owned businesses and high net worth individuals. Sirote is Alabama’s only member of the Law Firm Alliance. Since 1946, Sirote’s approach to service has reflected its history, philosophy and understanding of its clients and their industries. The goal is simple: to provide a highly qualified, integrated team of lawyers to represent the clients’ interests in matters large and small, simple or complex.Sirote’s private clients, trusts and estates practice group is among the largest trusts and estates group in the Southeast. Sirote has 19 attorneys in the private clients, trusts and estates practice group, five of whom are American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Fellows and nine of whom have an LL.M. in taxation.

Main Areas of Practice:

Private Clients, Trusts & Estates:14 Sirote partners, based in Birmingham; Huntsville; and Mobile, AL.Sirote provides estate, tax, business, charitable, and special needs planning. Clients include executives, business owners, entrepreneurs, retired persons, charities, philanthropists, banks, trust companies, fiduciaries, families, and family offices. Attorneys handle guardianships and con-servatorships as well as fiduciary litigation and contested proceedings involving estates and trusts, representing both fiduciaries and beneficiaries.Contact: Elizabeth H Hutchins Email: ehutchins@sirote.com Tel: +1 205 930 5381Contact: Melinda M Mathews Email: mmathews@sirote.com Tel: +1 205 930 5135Contact: Katherine N Barr Email: kbarr@sirote.com Tel: +1 205 930 5147

Trust & Estate Litigation:9 Sirote partners, based in Birmingham; Huntsville; and Mobile, AL.Sirote has a long-standing and well-earned reputation in trust and estate litigation through its attorneys’ ability to successfully

litigate and resolve complex and contentious trust and estate matters and the tax implica-tions arising out of them. Sirote’s team of seasoned and experienced litigators regularly practice in this area, and are supported by the private clients, trusts and estates and tax groups. The attorneys handle complex tax disputes with the IRS, as well as family battles involving closely-held businesses, trusts, real estate, financial accounts and even personal property items.

Tax & Business Succession:Sirote represents individuals, closely held businesses and public companies, with respect to tax planning opportunities and concerns, including entity choice and forma-tion, compensation planning, succession planning, purchases and sales of businesses, and M&A transactions, to minimise adverse tax consequences. Sirote also provides wealth planning services that consider the impact of income and transfer taxes. Sirote’s tax controversy attorneys represent clients in defending Federal, state and local tax audits. Sirote also defends individual and business clients facing tax issues of a criminal nature.Contact: Craig M Stephens Tel: +1 205 930 5246 Email: cstephens@sirote.com

PrActice AreAsIndividual & Family Services:- Estate & Gift Tax Planning- Estate & Trust Administration- Comprehensive Wealth Transfer Planning- Special Needs Planning- Charitable Planning- International Estate Planning- Multigenerational Succession Planning- Will & Trust Creation & Modifications- Estate & Gift Tax Return Preparation Business Planning Services:- Asset Protection- Creation of Corporations, Limited Partnerships & LLCs- Buy-Sell Agreements & Voting Trusts- Business Succession & Exit Planning- Life Insurance Planning- Real Estate Planning Trust & Estate Litigation:- Will Contests- Trust Disputes- Guardianships & Conservatorships- Trust Modifications

OFFices

uSA

ALAbAmABIrmIngham: 2311 Highland Avenue South, 35205 Tel: +1 205 930 5100 Fax: +1 205 930 5101 Email: birmingham@sirote.com

hunTSvILLE: 305 Church Street SW, Suite 800, 35801 Tel: +1 256 536 1711 Fax: +1 256 518 3681 Email: huntsville@sirote.com

moBILE: One St. Louis Centre Suite 1000, 36602 Tel: +1 251 432 1671 Fax: +1 251 434 0196 Email: mobile@sirote.com