Being able to call Meltzer Lippe is like leaning on a wall that will never give way.
I have been managing business units and companies for 62 years, post military service. In all that time I have done business with scores of excellent attorneys from outside law firms. I have never had the over-the-top relationships that I have with Avi Kestenbaum and Mary O’Reilly. Not only are they great estate attorneys and trusted advisors, but true friends.
Recently, my wife and I decided that an update to our will was in order. The update would be within the broader context of researching a variety of current estate planning measures. We looked at organizations with expertise and experience estate planning and wealth transfer issues. After a thorough review of a number of qualified firms, we decided to work with Meltzer Lippe and Avi Kestenbaum. Avi was extremely helpful in presenting a complex and involved process in terms that could be understood and implemented. We are very satisfied with the work that Avi and Meltzer Lippe has done and would not hesitate to recommend their services.
They are terrific and keep me focused. They exceed expectations.
Ira Halperin has been our business attorney since 2006 when he represented us in the sale of our company. He’s very bright, diligent and a straight shooter. We consider him and Meltzer Lippe an extension of our team. Meltzer Lippe has also served us on matters relating to real estate, employment and marketing with great results. The biggest deal for us is trust and performance. Ira and the team deliver on both.
Having been very successful in life, I had previously worked with other lawyers in estate planning but none compare to Meltzer Lippe, where the whole staff is dedicated, polite, helpful and efficient. Avi Kestenbaum specifically was thorough and asked questions to delve into my exact wishes and needs beyond just my balance sheet. Cautious of every detail to withstand and not to be challenged by the law, Avi and his staff did not spend extra costly time or charge for time not appropriately expended. I would recommend Meltzer Lippe to my friends, without hesitation.
Thank you Gary Meltzer for your fabulous representation. We like your way of making deals work – protecting us, but not getting lost in the nonsense.
I have experienced many law firms in my 30 years as a business owner. Meltzer Lippe represented me through the trials and tribulations of managing towards and the eventual sale of my business. Ira Halperin was there every step of the way being available, responsive and an experienced strategic business adviser who works with integrity. He is diligent, extremely competent and tenacious, when required. My experience with Meltzer Lippe and Ira Halperin in particular has been by far the absolute best of any law firm.
Mary O’Reilly listened to my desires and problems and came up with solutions that comply with the law and achieved my goals. As a person, she is a delight to deal with and I would recommend her highly as one of the best lawyers with whom I have ever dealt.
Ira Halperin and Meltzer Lippe have been representing my partner and me with the highest level of competency and care. They are thorough and thoughtful and understood our business needs. I would have no hesitation using them again for any legal services or recommending them to my closest colleagues.
Over 20 years, I have met with many estate attorneys, but none compare to Mary O’Reilly. From the outset, I was impressed by her exceptional knowledge of current laws and planning options but more importantly, her compassion. I had finally met an attorney with a heart. Subsequently, she suggested a meeting to include my 3 children. They were totally comfortable with Mary and I knew I made the right choice for my family.
Being a defendant in a law suit is a challenge made easier by counsel, who keep you apprised, listen to your needs and demonstrate the mastery of their skills in a professional, effective way. Our company’s attorney Ira Halperin teamed with Thomas McGowan and the Meltzer Lippe litigation group who concluded the matter with 100% success and 100% client satisfaction. I hope that litigation does not occur. If it does, I know where to turn.
I have dealt with Meltzer Lippe for many years in regards to both a number of real estate transactions and more recently, estate planning matters. All of the people at Meltzer Lippe have served me well and have provided thoughtful professional advice. In my recent work with Avi Kestenbaum, I have considered him to be a careful, empathetic and knowledgeable adviser in whose counsel I have the utmost confidence.
David Heymann has been at my side for 12 years as my attorney and counselor. His intelligence and wisdom is a tremendous asset. I would highly recommend him to anyone in search of an effective and diligent lawyer.
We retained Avi Kestenbaum to help us with the planning of a very significant and complex estate. Not only did Avi provide calm, empathetic and professional advice and attention but we also felt that Avi put his head, heart and soul into helping us through the challenges. When speaking with Avi, a very busy and successful attorney, we felt as if we were his only client. We believe that Avi and Meltzer Lippe provided us with great value and we have and will continue to refer people in Avi’s direction, where we know they will be well served.
Avi Kestenbaum is wonderful to work with. He breaks down complex legal concepts in a way that helps his clients understand, and makes them feel at ease. He is sensitive to the nuances of individual family dynamics and is comfortable helping his clients navigate difficult decisions.
It has been my pleasure to work with Meltzer, Lippe over the past 10 years, particularly, with Manny Frade. Construction Law requires an extremely savvy attorney. Bottom line, Manny has provided results above and beyond my expectations, several times, in the most difficult situations. I would recommend him to anyone in the industry.
I have worked with Mary O’Reilly for many years. She has represented both me and my family members in estate planning. Unfortunately, some of these matters have ended up in litigation despite her incredible efforts and legal insights and acumen. When that has been the case, her guidance has been expert. She is a calm and reassuring counselor. Most importantly, she has deftly maneuvered us to succeed in numerous litigation fights.
The ELM Global Logistic Companies have utilized the services of Meltzer Lippe for over 15 years for various business issues. They have always equaled or exceeded our expectations regarding responsiveness, understanding the issue at hand, and providing the appropriate legal guidance or solution to the situation. Over the years, ELM has come to appreciate their depth of experience, common sense approach, and provision of legal solutions that match the needs of our business.
I have been a client of Lew Meltzer for over thirty years. Mary O’Reilly is currently my go to lawyer at Meltzer Lippe for estate planning and wealth preservation. I have found that both she and Avi Kestenbaum have been very competent and I am grateful for their advice.
I refer a lot of matters to Mary O’Reilly. She is a super lawyer. She is very knowledgeable, practical and effective, and she does a fantastic job for her clients.
As in-house counsel, I like to work with attorneys who help me look good to my principals. I’m happy to say that with David Heymann and his colleagues at Meltzer Lippe by my side, I have received several gold stars. I value David’s legal skills but even more importantly his practical business judgment. He is a trusted advisor and key member of our team.
Indeed, Gary Meltzer, you are the seller whisperer and the voice of reason. Well done. I think you’re batting 1,000 on acquisitions for us!
I have known Mary O’Reilly for over a decade and she is an exceptional attorney and advisor. We share multiple clients, many of whom I referred to Mary and I would not hesitate to refer additional clients to her. Mary is as technical as any other T&E attorney I have worked with but that is table stakes in this industry. What distinguishes Mary is her ability to actively listen to a client and hear what it is that they want to achieve and then help them do that in the most technically sound manner. You never get the impression with Mary that she is just recreating the same boilerplate plan for all of her private clients; she truly listens, cares and then executes on behalf of her clients. She works seamlessly with other team members, and is also just a genuinely kind and funny person who I enjoy spending time with.
I have been Meltzer Lippe’s and Ira Halperin’s client for nearly 20 years. Initially they helped me on an asset purchase of another entity and over the years represented me in my estate planning, a real estate transaction and on the sale of my business. They have always provided excellent legal services and advice making sure I understood whatever the situation entailed. I have heard it said that ‘people don’t care what you know until they know that you care.’ Meltzer Lippe cares! They have become my valued friends. They are great people, helping people.
I have been working with Avi Kestenbaum of Meltzer Lippe on my will and other succession agreements. He has been very professional, and knowledgeable and has made what could have been a nightmare, an interesting and successful experience. It is my pleasure to recommend him and Meltzer Lippe for any estate planning issues.