Department profile
McDermott Will & Schulte

Private Wealth Law

High Net Worth Guide 2025 : USA - Nationwide


McDermott Will & Schulte

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Law - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

McDermott Will & Schulte has a market-leading national presence for private wealth work, with teams in Chicago, New York, Washington, DC and South Florida and throughout California. The McDermott team advises on some of the most complex wealth planning matters for many of the wealthiest people in the USA, and has a strong cross-border planning practice for international clients.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • McDermott Will & Schulte is phenomenal. I use them on matters when I need the very best of the best.

    Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleCarol A Harrington
    Senior StatespeopleCarol A Harrington

    Carol A Harrington

    Carol Harrington is based in Chicago and advises ultra-high net worth clients on trusts and estates matters.

    • Carol Harrington is absolutely phenomenal. She is a go-to. She is sophisticated and she is kind.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Carol is one of the most technically gifted estate planning attorneys I have ever met.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Star IndividualsCarlyn S McCaffrey
    Star IndividualsCarlyn S McCaffrey

    Carlyn S McCaffrey

    Carlyn McCaffrey in New York has considerable experience advising on highly sophisticated wealth planning matters. McCaffrey is one of the most highly respected tax and trusts experts in New York and across the country.

    • Carlyn McCaffrey is one of the finest estate planners that has ever lived.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Star IndividualsDavid Pratt
    Star IndividualsDavid Pratt

    David Pratt

    David Pratt is chair of the private client services department at Proskauer Rose and has a strong national reputation in private wealth. He joined McDermott Will & Emery in July 2025 from Proskauer Rose.

    • David truly is one of the greatest minds at the trusts and estates Bar. He has equal parts heart and skill.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David Pratt's tax expertise is outstanding. Not just on the technical side, but given inter-generational wealth transfer has an impact on family relationships, he is sensitive to that as well.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David Pratt is brilliant. He is very sophisticated and he can really explain things to clients in layman's terms.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David Pratt is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in this area. He combines that with a personal touch and intention that I don't think you can find anywhere else.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1David A Baker
    Band 1David A Baker

    David A Baker

    David Baker is head of the firm's estate, trust and guardianship controversy practice group and advises on a range of litigation matters including estate and trust disputes.
    • David Baker is one of the top litigators in the country. He has a great tax background as well. He is our go-to guy on complex, high-value and cross-border stuff.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • David Baker is the best trust and estate litigator I know in Chicago and beyond. He is very gifted, the most experienced practitioner around in this area and a fantastic advocate.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Ellen K Harrison
    Band 1Ellen K Harrison

    Ellen K Harrison

    Ellen Harrison has particular expertise in advising high net worth individuals on their family office structures.

    • Ellen Harrison is actually brilliant. She has seen pretty much everything. She advises on really cutting-edge issues and comes up with clever solutions to tax problems.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Julie M. Kwon
    Band 1Julie M. Kwon

    Julie M. Kwon

    Julie Kwon has an active practice advising high net worth clients on their wealth structuring. Much of Kwon's work is cross-border in scope and she regularly acts for clients on relocation matters.
    • Julie Kwon is probably the top GST practitioner in the country.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Leigh-Alexandra Basha
    Band 1Leigh-Alexandra Basha

    Leigh-Alexandra Basha

    Leigh-Alexandra Basha has an impressive cross-border trust and estate practice. Basha is best known for pre-immigration planning and complex international tax compliance matters for international clients.

    • Knowing that Leigh-Alexandra is overseeing everything is a comfort. I know, without question, that when I reach out she will be there. I trust her implicitly to handle my family's affairs.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Leigh-Alexandra Basha is brilliant. She is excellent on the technical side and she also has an excellent client style. She has a graciousness to her; a beautiful blend of what you need.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Nicole M. Pearl
    Band 1Nicole M. Pearl

    Nicole M. Pearl

    Nicole Pearl is based in Los Angeles and advises high-profile, wealthy individuals on their estate planning.

    • Nicole Pearl is probably the most technically sophisticated trusts and estates attorney I have dealt with.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Nicole is top of her game in terms of estate planning. She is very sophisticated in her approach to matters and complex situations.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Nicole Pearl is an outstanding attorney with broad and deep technical skills, especially in the trust and estate area.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2M. Read Moore
    Band 2M. Read Moore

    M. Read Moore

    Read Moore advises domestic and international clients on a range of wealth planning matters. He advises on estate and trust administration, business succession and cross-border planning.
    • Read Moore is very strong on cross-border estate planning.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Read Moore is very strong in client service, subject matter expertise and the ability to provide counsel to families.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Read Moore is well equipped to handle even the most complex tax matters.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 2William J Butler
    Band 2William J Butler

    William J Butler

    William Butler is the former head of McDermott's private client group. He has a particular focus on probate administration and estate planning work.

    • William Butler is really useful in challenging situations. He has the voice of reason. He has a lot of experience with families. He can provide a personal perspective.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Susan C Frunzi
    Band 3Susan C Frunzi

    Susan C Frunzi

    Susan Frunzi advises on a range of matters including estate planning and administration, trusts and tax matters.
    • Susan has a way to integrate the most technically advanced advice seamlessly. She really knows her stuff. It is a treat to watch her in action.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Susan Frunzi has great technical expertise but she also has an incredibly kind and compassionate way with clients. Clients feel very comfortable speaking to her.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Susan Frunzi is brilliant. She is wise and a dedicated champion to her clients.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Whether it is in writing or verbally, Susan is very skilled at addressing issues directly. She does not obscure the topic with extraneous or unrelated concepts. She is direct and to the point.

      Private Wealth Law respondentHigh Net Worth

Ranked Individuals at McDermott Will & Schulte (11)

USA - Nationwide

McDermott Will & Schulte has rankings in the following guides

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