Freeman Freeman & Smiley Adds Prominent Trusts and Estates Attorneys

Freeman Freeman & Smiley, LLP is pleased to announce that partners Geraldine A. Wyle and Jeryll S. Cohen, and of counsel Kenneth S. Wolf have joined its Trusts and Estates Litigation and Administration Department in the Los Angeles office.

“We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding team to our practice,” said Stephen M. Lowe, Chair of the Trusts and Estates Litigation and Administration Department.  “Geri, Jeryll and Ken bring with them impressive reputations and add a depth of leadership and experience that will lend itself to the broader group.  These additions have further established FFS as a leader in this specialized area of law.”

Ms. Wyle focuses her practice on complex litigation and dispute resolution concerning trusts and estates, conservatorships and guardianships.  She is responsible for significant California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal victories, including the seminal case of Estate of Goulet (1995) 10 Cal. 4th 1074.

Ms. Cohen is well-known for her expertise in issues arising from careers in the music and film industries.  She focuses on complex trust and estate administration and estate planning, as well as dispute resolution with regard to trusts, estates and estate tax matters.

Mr. Wolf possesses more than forty years of experience in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, litigation and dispute resolution.  He is one of the founders of the annual University of Southern California Probate and Trust Conference and has served as its chair since 1993.  He also serves on the arbitration/mediation panel at Alternative Resolution Centers (ARC).

The team is joined by senior counsel, Rebekah E. Swan, who practices in the areas of fiduciary, estate, trust and conservatorship litigation.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the attorneys at FFS, some of whom I have known and respected for decades,” said Ms. Wyle.  “I am looking forward to growing my practice here and collaborating with my colleagues in Los Angeles and Irvine.”

“FFS is the perfect fit for my practice,” said Ms. Cohen.  “Having a full-service platform and access to professionals with a wide range of expertise will provide my clients with the additional depth and breadth of experience that they often require.”

Mr. Wolf commented, “At this stage of my career, the opportunity to join Geri, Jeryll and Rebekah at FFS was irresistible.”

Freeman Freeman & Smiley has already seen significant growth this year with the addition of five attorneys, including securities litigation partner Richard A. D’Amura.