Firm News Archives | McCollom D'Emilio Smith Uebler LLC

Category: Firm News

MDSU Attorneys Named 2026 Super Lawyers

WILMINGTON, DE (May 22, 2026) – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC has been recognized by Super Lawyers with six attorneys receiving the honor for 2026. Partners Kimberly Gill McKinnon, Matthew D’Emilio, and Thomas Uebler have been named 2026 Delaware Super Lawyers. Kimberly received the honor for her work in Estate Planning & Probate and Nonprofit Organizations, Tax. Matthew was awarded for his work in Estate Planning & Probate and Estate & Trust Litigation. Thomas was recognized for his work in Estate & Trust Litigation and Business Litigation. Kimberly, Matthew, and Thomas are among the top 5% of attorneys selected for Super Lawyer.

Partners Jeremy Riley and Adam Waskie, along with associate Tara Hersh, were named 2026 Rising Stars. Jeremy and Tara were recognized for their work in Estate Planning & Probate while Adam was awarded for his work in Business Litigation. Jeremy, Adam, and Tara join the top 2.5% of attorneys named Rising Stars by Super Lawyer.

McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC is a nationally recognized Delaware-based law firm focusing on trusts, estates, and tax; business transactions; and litigation. MDSU represents corporate and individual clients in a range of transactional and litigation matters.

Super Lawyers recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes. Attorneys are selected on an annual, state-by-state basis using peer nominations and evaluations combined with independent research and professional achievement.

MDSU Attorneys Named 2026 Best Lawyers in America

Wilmington, DE – August 21, 2025 – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC attorneys Matthew D’Emilio, Daniel Hayward, William Lunger, Kimberly Gill McKinnon, Kathleen Murphy, and Thomas Uebler have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2026 Edition.

D’Emilio was awarded Best Lawyer for his work in trusts and estates and trusts and estates litigation. He focuses his practice on estate planning and wealth transfer, estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, business transactions, and tax law.

Hayward was honored by Best Lawyer for his work in trust and estates, where he specializes in the complex and unique aspects of Delaware trust law.

Lunger was recognized by Best Lawyer for his work in trusts and estates. He practices estate planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, charitable planning and family business planning.

McKinnon was awarded Best Lawyer for her work in trust and estates. Her practice is focused on trusts, taxation, estate planning, charitable giving, and non-profit formation and governance.

Murphy was named a Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch in America for corporate and fiduciary litigation. Her practice is focused on corporate and fiduciary litigation, counseling both individuals and corporate trustees in all corporate, business and trust litigation matters.

Uebler was recognized by Best Lawyer for his work in trusts and estates litigation. His practice focuses on fiduciary and corporate litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and other Delaware courts, as well as statutory and fiduciary duties under Delaware law.

Best Lawyers, the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession, compiles its annual list of distinguished lawyers by conducting national surveys in which thousands of lawyers provide substantive evaluations of their peers.

MDSU Attorneys Named 2024 Delaware Top Lawyers

Delaware Today Recognizes Matthew D’Emilio and Jennifer Smith

Wilmington, DE – October 28, 2024 – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC partners Matthew D’Emilio and Jennifer Smith were awarded 2024 Top Lawyers through a peer review survey held by Delaware Today Magazine. Both D’Emilio and Smith have been recognized for their work in trust and estates.

D’Emilio focuses his practice on estate planning and wealth transfer, estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, business transactions, and tax law.

Smith’s primary practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, and wealth preservation.

Top Lawyers are selected and voted for annually by peers from the state of Delaware, in a variety of legal specialties. The survey is conducted, and winners verified, by Delaware Today.

About McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler

McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler is a Wilmington-based law firm specializing in trusts, estates, and tax; business transactions; and litigation. With a commitment to responsiveness, strategic thinking, and efficiency, the firm represents both corporate and individual clients in transactional and litigation matters. The firm was founded in 2018.

About Delaware Today

For more than 50 years, Delaware Today has been the lifestyle authority in the First State. As the state’s premier magazine, Delaware Today helps readers make informed decisions to enhance their lives. Delaware Today, a division of Today Media, is an award-winning regional magazine whose mission is to help people get the most out of living by being the most valued community resource in print, online and in person.

MDSU Trust Litigation Team Secures Trial Victory

Sweeney – MDSU Website Insight(10176781.2)

McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler Honored by Chambers

Wilmington, DE (July 18, 2024) – In its 2024 guide, Chambers High Net Worth ranked McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC (MDSU) for Private Wealth Law in Delaware. MDSU was ranked Band 2 for the first time in 2024 after ranking Band 3 the past two years. “McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler is a relatively new firm but the attorneys have been around for a while. It has very talented partners and a lot of talent at the firm.” says a source.

MDSU members Matthew D’Emilio, Will Lunger, and Jennifer Smith were also recognized in the Chambers High Net Worth 2024 rankings for Private Wealth Law in Delaware.

D’Emilio was recognized in the Band 2 category, and this is his ninth year as a Chambers honoree. According to Chambers, “Matthew D’Emilio has deep experience handling wealth transfer and asset protection strategies for high net worth individuals. D’Emilio also handles significant trusts and estates litigation mandates.”

Smith was recognized in the Band 2 category in her seventh year as a Chambers honoree. Smith’s Chambers review notes, “Jennifer Smith excels in advising high net worth clients on trust and estate planning and administration. Smith advises beneficiaries and trustees on trust modification matters, migrating trusts to Delaware and termination of trusts.”

Lunger, who joined MDSU as a partner in January 2024, was recognized in the Band 2 category. According to one Chambers review source, “Will is an excellent lawyer. He is particularly very excellent with planning and administration.” Noted by another, “Will has a kind demeanor. He is good to work with and not controversial.”

Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers and law firms.

Jennifer Smith Inducted as Fellow of the American Bar Foundation

WILMINGTON, DE (May 29, 2024) – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC founding partner Jennifer Smith has been inducted as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF), a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars nominated by their peers. ABF Fellows represent only 1% of all lawyers.

Jenny practices in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and wealth preservation. She counsels families across the country about the advantages of Delaware trusts as part of a sophisticated plan for high net worth clients. In addition, she guides trustees and other fiduciaries through the process of trust migration, termination, and modification.

MDSU Partner Smith Elected ACTEC Fellow

WILMINGTON, DE (March 27, 2024) – Jennifer E. Smith, founding partner of McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC, has been elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Jenny practices in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and wealth preservation. She counsels families across the country about the advantages of Delaware trusts as part of a sophisticated plan for high net worth clients. In addition, she guides trustees and other fiduciaries through the process of trust migration, termination, and various methods of modification including mergers, decantings, and nonjudicial settlement agreements.

ACTEC is an organization of trust and estate lawyers and law professors in the United States and around the world. ACTEC’s peer-elected Fellows are at the top of their profession, committed to maintaining excellence in the trust and estate legal field and to continually improving the practice of trust and estate law. ACTEC Fellows are skilled and experienced in the preparation of wills and trusts, estate planning and probate procedure, and administration of trusts and estates of decedents, minors, and incompetents.

MDSU Expands Trusts And Estates Practice with Addition of New Partner

Wilmington, DE – January 12, 2024 – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC (MDSU) announced the addition of William H. Lunger as Partner, effective January 2024.

Mr. Lunger joins MDSU after 18 years as founding Partner of Martin and Lunger, P.A. Lunger’s experience in estate planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection planning, charitable planning and family business planning, combined with a substantial national practice focusing on Delaware’s trust law advantages, further strengthens MDSU’s well-established trusts and estates practice group.

“I am energized by the opportunity to join forces with this flourishing firm,” said Lunger. “MDSU’s trusts and estates group has seen significant growth over the last few years and I am eager to contribute to this continued trajectory.”

“Bringing Will on board has further solidified our place as a top tier trusts and estates practice in Delaware,” said Matthew D’Emilio, managing member at McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler. “The expertise he provides enables us to strategically augment our focused practice areas and continue to do what we do best.”

About McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler

MDSU Managing Partner, Matthew D’Emilio, Named Delaware Top Lawyer

Wilmington, DE – October 27, 2023 – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC managing partner Matthew D’Emilio was awarded 2023 Top Lawyers through a peer review survey held by Delaware Today Magazine. D’Emilio was recognized for his work in trust and estates.

D’Emilio focuses his practice on estate planning and wealth transfer, estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, business transactions, and tax law.

Top Lawyers are selected and voted for annually by coworkers and peers from the state of Delaware, in a variety of legal specialties. The survey is conducted, and winners verified, by Delaware Today.

About McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler
McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler is a Wilmington-based law firm specializing in trusts, estates, and tax; business transactions; and litigation. With a commitment to responsiveness, strategic thinking, and efficiency, the firm represents both corporate and individual clients in transactional and litigation matters.

MDSU Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America

Wilmington, DE – August 17, 2023 – McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC attorneys Matthew D’Emilio, Thomas Uebler, and Kathleen Murphy have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America. D’Emilio was recognized for his work in trust and estates. D’Emilio has been honored in this category since 2015. Uebler was recognized for his work in trusts and estates litigation, making this his sixth consecutive year to be selected by Best Lawyers. Murphy was again named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for her work in commercial litigation, corporate governance and compliance law, and litigation – securities.

D’Emilio focuses his practice on estate planning and wealth transfer, estate and trust litigation, estate and trust administration, business transactions, and tax law. Uebler and Murphy practice fiduciary and corporate litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and other Delaware courts, and advise clients on statutory and fiduciary duties under Delaware law.

Best Lawyers, the oldest peer review publication in the legal profession, compiles its annual list of distinguished lawyers by conducting national surveys in which thousands of lawyers provide substantive evaluations of their peers.

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