Eckert Seamans Expands Pittsburgh Office with Prominent Estates & Trusts Team
November 19, 2024
National law firm Eckert Seamans announces the addition of distinguished trusts and estates attorneys Nora Gieg Chatha and Carolyn A.W. Whitworth as Members in its Pittsburgh office, along with paralegal Cindy Moon. The team joins from Tucker Arensberg, where Chatha led the Estates & Trusts practice.
“Nora and Carolyn are well-known, well-respected, and highly credentialed estates and trust lawyers to an extensive and sophisticated client base,” said Scott D. Cessar, Chief Executive Officer of Eckert Seamans. “They are important additions to our practice and will greatly benefit our clients. We are thrilled to welcome them to Eckert Seamans.”
As a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, Chatha brings unique expertise combining private practice experience with public sector insights gained as former legal counsel to the Pennsylvania State Medicaid Agency and Department of Human Services. Her comprehensive practice serves institutional, fiduciary, and individual clients in all aspects of estate planning and administration, wealth preservation, fiduciary litigation, special needs, elder law, investment management, and fiduciary service-related issues. Her litigation practice encompasses guardianship proceedings, will contests, account disputes, and financial abuse cases. Beyond traditional estate planning services, Chatha’s practice emphasizes proactive strategies to protect clients’ interests and preserve family wealth, addressing both immediate concerns and long-term family objectives.
Whitworth, an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designated by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, brings extensive experience representing estates, trusts, financial professionals, and business owners. Her background provides valuable insight into estate planning and fiduciary services, spanning estate and trust planning, retirement asset planning, estate and trust administration, business succession planning, elder law and special needs planning, charitable gift planning, fiduciary duty, and financial services regulation and compliance.
Chatha, speaking on behalf of the team, expressed their excitement about joining Eckert Seamans. She noted, “Eckert Seamans’ Estates & Trusts practice is well-known for its exceptional lawyers, shares our values, and unwavering commitment to client service. Joining Eckert Seamans offers our clients an opportunity for the full range of legal services, and we look forward to joining the dynamic Pittsburgh office and growing estates and trusts practice.”
Grant E. Coffield, Chair of the firm’s Business Division, noted, “Nora and Carolyn’s extensive experience and respected presence in Pittsburgh’s legal community make them strong strategic and cultural fits, and we are excited to welcome them to Eckert Seamans.” Raymond P. Vogliano, Chair of the firm’s Tax, Estates & Employee Benefits practice, added, “In addition to having exceptional skills and experience, their collaborative and service-oriented approach fits perfectly with our existing team.”
Eckert Seamans’ Estates & Trusts group delivers comprehensive estate planning and administration services to individuals, entrepreneurs, family businesses, fiduciaries, charitable foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The practice focuses on preserving assets, minimizing tax implications, and optimizing financial benefits across generations. The firm’s attorneys regularly share their expertise through continuing legal education seminars, staying at the forefront of developments in estates, trusts, and wealth transfer taxation.
This team is the most recent in a string of high-profile lateral hires at Eckert Seamans. The firm also brought on a sophisticated team of intellectual property attorneys from Dentons Cohen & Grigsby to its Pittsburgh office, including Member Noland J. Cheung, Special Counsel Gary F. Matz, Associates Mark A. Mazza and Cody J. Madison, and Patent Agent Lisa E. Geary, Ph.D.