Aird & Berlis is proud to be recognized as a top professional adviser to high-net-worth individuals in Chambers and Partners' High Net Worth 2025 guide. The firm is ranked as a leader in the areas of Private Wealth Law (Canada) and Private Wealth Disputes (Canada).
Lawyers Rachel Blumenfeld, Marni Pernica, Archie Rabinowitz, Melanie Yach and Holly Cunliffe are also individually recognized as leading lawyers in their respective areas of specialization.
Rachel Blumenfeld is a member of the firm's Estates & Trusts and Tax Groups, and Co-Chair of the Charity and Not-for-Profit Law Group. Her practice focuses on trusts and estates, personal tax planning, and charities and not-for-profit law. She advises on tax, trusts, estate planning and administration, preparation of wills, power of attorney documents, business succession and insurance planning. Rachel has significant experience with cross-border planning for clients who have U.S. or other foreign connections. She was elected the Chair of STEP Canada for the 2023-2025 term.
Marni Pernica is Co-Practice Group Leader of the firm's Tax Group and Estates & Trusts Group. Her practice focuses on estate, income tax and succession planning, including cross-border planning, planning to reduce estate administration tax (formerly known as probate fees), the preparation of wills, powers of attorney and trusts, and assisting with estate administration. Additionally, Marni advises clients on how to reduce personal and corporate tax, including the effective use of a family trust.
Archie Rabinowitz is a leading estates and trusts litigator and a recipient of the Ontario Bar Association's Award of Excellence in Trusts and Estates. He has extensive experience with the contested passing of accounts, validity of wills, estate claims, breach of trust actions, undue influence claims, interpretation of wills and the appointment or removal of trustees or guardians. He also has substantial trial and appellate experience in fiduciary litigation. Archie represents a wide range of trust companies, governmen agencies and individuals.
Melanie Yach is a dedicated expert in estates and trusts law. Her practice covers all areas of estates and trusts, including estate planning and estate administration, with a particular focus on litigation involving trusts, estates and capacity issues. Melanie's practice extends beyond representing individuals and families to advising trust companies. She also serves as a third-party mediator in estates, trusts and/or capacity disputes.
Holly Cunliffe, ranked as an Up & Coming Partner, represents individuals and trust companies with a range of court proceedings, such as will challenges, applications to pass attorney and trustee accounts, dependent support claims, rectification and interpretation of wills and trusts, variations of trust deeds, power of attorney and capacity disputes, estate and trust administration issues, trustee applications for advice and directions, appointment or removal of trustees/guardians, breaches of trust and guardianships.