July 28, 2026 - Press Releases

        Verrill’s Wide-Ranging Private Wealth Law Practice Recognized in 2026 Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide

        BANGOR and PORTLAND, Maine and BOSTON, Mass. – Verrill attorneys Kenneth P. Brier, Anya F. Endsley, Kurt E. Klebe, Mary McQuillen, Nathaniel S. Putnam, Jacqueline W. Rider, and Mary H. Schmidt have been recognized in the Chambers High Net Worth 2026 Guide, Chambers and Partners’ annual publication focused on the international private wealth market. In addition, Verrill’s Private Wealth Law practices in Maine and Massachusetts were recognized, including earning the top Band 1 rankings in Maine.

        Chambers is a leading authority on the global legal profession, providing in-depth rankings and analysis across legal markets worldwide. For its High Net Worth Guide, more than 200 Chambers researchers conduct extensive independent research, producing nearly 6,000 ranking tables and gathering hundreds of thousands of client and peer insights.

        Recognized as a premier resource for identifying top advisers in the private wealth sector, the High Net Worth Guide highlights leading lawyers, bankers, accountants, investment managers, and other professionals serving high-net-worth individuals around the globe. As part of its rigorous evaluation process, Chambers conducts comprehensive interviews and research to assess professionals based on their reputation, technical expertise, client service, and market standing.

        Massachusetts:
        Private Wealth Law:
        Kenneth P. Brier
        , Counsel, concentrates his practice in estate, tax, and business planning, as well as trust and estate administration. Drawing on more than 45 years of experience, he advises individuals, families, executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners on complex wealth planning and administration matters and has also served as a neutral fiduciary and expert witness in trust and estate disputes.

        Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth:
        Mary H. Schmidt,
         Counsel, has a wealth of experience in trusts and estates, domestic relations and probate litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Her sophisticated practice focuses on guiding clients through complex gift, estate and income tax planning, trust and estate planning, prenuptial and post nuptial agreement preparation, negotiation and litigation, and estate administration. She has also been recognized by Boston Magazine as a Super Lawyer and by The Best Lawyers in America© under Elder Law, Family Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates. (Band 1)

        Maine:
        Private Wealth Law:
        Anya F. Endsley,
         Partner, Co-Chair of Verrill’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group. She focuses her practice in all aspects of estate planning, probate administration and trust administration, and counsels clients on tax planning, sophisticated wealth transfer strategies and charitable giving. She is also skilled at planning for shared family real estate and business succession planning. Endsley has been recognized in Best Lawyers of America: Ones to Watch©. Endsley has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).

        Kurt E. Klebe, Partner, focuses his practice in all aspects of estate planning, probate administration and trust administration, as well as tax planning and charitable gift planning for individuals and nonprofit entities. He has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America© as Lawyer of the Year in the practice of Trusts and Estates and has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. (Band 1)

        Mary McQuillen, Counsel, has practiced trusts and estates law for nearly 40 years, both in Maine and New York. Her practice includes representation of private foundations and other tax-exempt organizations, as well as estate planning, trust and estate administration and representation of fiduciaries. She has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America© in the practice of Trusts and Estates. (Band 1)

        Nathaniel S. Putnam, Partner, focuses his practice on the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and planning for individuals and families with complex assets and/or unique planning objectives. Putnam regularly assists clients develop and implement estate plans that address each family’s specific circumstances and objectives while providing for efficient administration and reducing or eliminating taxes. Putnam also advises individuals and nonprofit organizations on all aspects of charitable planning. (Band 1)

        Jacqueline W. Rider, Partner, Co-Chair of Verrill’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group, and Co-Chair of the Probate Litigation Group, focuses her practice on all aspects of probate litigation, estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Rider has 32 years of experience successfully litigating a variety of civil matters in federal, state, and probate courts. She has also been recognized in Best Lawyers of America© in the practices of Trust and Estates and Litigation: Trust and Estates, and in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2023 was named as the Portland, Maine Litigation-Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year.

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