Edward D. Baker is a trusts and estates litigator representing individuals and families throughout the metropolitan New York area. His practice includes will and trust contests, contested accountings, discovery proceedings, removal proceedings, and guardianship proceedings.
John Barnosky is a trusts and estates lawyer advising families, individuals, banks, foundations, and other institutions. Jack handles the full range of estate planning, probate and administration, as well as taxation matters. John also represents clients in litigated trusts and estates matters, including will contests, disputes over the validity of trusts, contested accounting proceedings, and tax disputes before the Surrogate’s Courts and other courts throughout New York.
Bret Cahn is a trusts and estates and Article 81 guardianship litigator representing individuals and families across New York. Bret handles a full range of will contests, discovery and turnover proceedings, removal proceedings, contested accountings, disputes related to the spousal right of election, and contested Article 81 guardianship proceedings. Appearing regularly before Surrogate’s Court and Supreme Court, Bret drafts and argues substantive and procedural motions, engages in settlement negotiations, examines witnesses, and runs a successful appellate practice.
Ilene Sherwyn Cooper is a partner practicing litigation and estate planning in Surrogate’s Courts throughout Metropolitan New York. Before joining Farrell Fritz, she served for ten years as the Chief Law Assistant of the Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court. Her responsibilities there included preparing judicial opinions on complex and novel issues; acting as the Trial Assistant to the Surrogate, preparing pretrial memoranda, jury charges, evidentiary rulings and post-trial decisions; and administering the daily operation of the Law Department, supervising staff attorneys, advising department heads and developing court policy. She is a graduate of Cornell University and Hofstra University School of Law.
Brian P. Corrigan is an accomplished litigation attorney who, for well over 20 years, has achieved numerous victories for his clients in complex trust and estate disputes. Through his seasoned judgment, aggressive advocacy and sound strategies, Brian secures successful court decisions and jury verdicts for his clients. Brian is equally adept at obtaining advantageous results for his clients through negotiated settlements or effective motion practice. Brian’s years of experience in the courtroom provide unique insights, enabling him to provide sophisticated advice to his estate planning clients. Many of Brian’s successes are instances where, through his techniques and keen guidance, a client’s estate plan avoided anticipated litigation entirely.
Jaclene L. D’Agostino is a trusts and estates litigator representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in Surrogate’s Courts throughout the metropolitan New York area. Jaclene practice encompasses probate contests, accounting proceedings, discovery proceedings, and other miscellaneous proceedings relating to estates and trusts. She conducts pretrial discovery, legal research, and drafting motion papers.
Robert Harper is a seasoned estates, trusts, and guardianship litigator who advises individuals, families, charities, and corporate fiduciaries. Appearing before the Surrogate’s Court and the Supreme Court, Rob handles a wide range of proceedings including will and trust contests, contested accounting proceedings, contested guardianship proceedings, marital agreement challenges, fiduciary removal applications and surcharges, kinship proceedings, asset turnover proceedings, and more. He also has experience as a court-appointed guardian ad litem and mediator in Surrogate’s Court proceedings. Rob provides practical and smart advice aimed at helping clients negotiate outside of the courts if possible, but if litigation is unavoidable, he adeptly sees them through the entire process, including trial, with care.
Eric W. Penzer is a trust and estate litigator representing high-net-worth individuals and families. Eric is a trusted advisor for clients involved in complex challenges related to generational wealth and asset transfer.
Frank T. Santoro is a trusts and estates counselor and litigator. He concentrates his practice in trusts & estates litigation and Article 81 guardianships, representing clients in a variety of proceedings in Surrogate’s Court and Supreme Court, including will contests, discovery proceedings, contested accountings, and guardianship proceedings. Frank’s extensive experience in sophisticated and complex trust and estate disputes informs his advice when guiding clients through contentious business and personal matters. He applies a keen understanding of the applicable law, taxation, and challenges clients face in managing closely-held businesses, real estate, and diverse asset portfolios. Frank provides sophisticated pre-litigation advice aimed at coming to resolution outside of court, however, should litigation be unavoidable, he is a zealous advocate in Surrogate’s Court, New York State Supreme Court, and Federal Court.
Yi W. Stewart represents clients in trusts and estates matters. Yi handles cases involving probate and trust contests, accountings, discovery proceedings, construction and reformation proceedings, and fiduciary litigation. Providing thoughtful, efficient advice and litigation tactics, she helps clients obtain resolutions through negotiation, mediation, and litigation.