When a meticulously crafted estate, trust, or business succession plan is targeted by a lawsuit, the validity of the original structure is put under a microscope, requiring a litigation partner who understands the deep technicalities of Georgia Law. This March, Gaslowitz Frankel celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of its partners, LeAnne M. Gilbert, an attorney whose career has been defined by providing the specialized representation required to uphold or defeat these complex legal frameworks.
The problem for many professionals arises when the planning phase ends and the litigation phase begins. You may encounter situations where a trust or will is challenged on grounds of capacity, or where assets are alleged to have been transferred in a fraudulent manner to shield them from creditors or estranged spouses. These disputes demand a level of investigation and advocacy that often falls outside the scope of general litigation. Without a partner who can dissect the administration of a trust or the funding history of a family business, the foundation of the client’s financial future remains at risk.
“I like helping people find creative solutions to problems that seem insurmountable in the beginning,” says Gilbert. “It’s about assisting my clients navigate what can be one of the most stressful times in their lives—litigation, and often litigation against a family member. By finding strategic ways to tell a client’s story to the judge and telling it well, we ensure that when we walk into court for the first time, we already have an advantage.”
The Role of Specialized Fiduciary Litigation
Ms. Gilbert joined Gaslowitz Frankel in March 2006. She has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in fiduciary and commercial litigation, specializing in cases where the legitimacy of a trust or the conduct of a corporate fiduciary is at the center of the conflict. Her recent election as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) further validates this expertise, placing her among the preeminent leaders in trust and estate law nationwide.
“LeAnne brings together both the practical and the technical tools needed to represent our clients’ best interests,” observes Craig M. Frankel, a founding partner. “It has been an honor and a pleasure working with LeAnne for the past two decades, and I look forward to watching and joining in her many successes as our firm’s future unfolds.”
As a former Chair of the Fiduciary Section of the State Bar of Georgia and a frequent presenter at legal conferences, Ms. Gilbert has actively participated in the discourse that shapes how trusts and estates are administered and litigated today. This level of institutional knowledge is a significant asset for referring partners, ensuring that their clients are represented by a litigator who understands the real issues involved in fiduciary disputes.
Upholding Fiduciary Standards for the Future
The challenges of the next era of fiduciary litigation will undoubtedly involve new statutes and evolving standards. However, the requirement for seasoned, technically proficient counsel will remain constant. Ms. Gilbert’s two decades at the firm have prepared her to lead clients through these changes, ensuring that the most difficult estate and trust disputes are handled with the precision and professionalism they require.
“LeAnne’s tenure has demonstrated that a successful defense is built on a foundation of deep scholarship and advocacy that anticipates the tactical moves of the opposing side,” notes Adam Gaslowitz, a founding partner at Gaslowitz Frankel. “In high-stakes disputes, you need a litigator who can untangle the most technical fiduciary webs with clinical precision. Her ability to guide a case from the first filing through to a final verdict provides our referring partners with the clarity and professional security they require.”
The attorneys of Gaslowitz Frankel have years of expertise in handling the complex issues surrounding will, trust, estate, business, and securities disputes. For trusted estate law and fiduciary legal guidance, consult with the attorneys of Gaslowitz Frankel.
