Richard R. Gans, a shareholder in the law firm of Fergeson Skipper, P.A., was recently named Best Lawyers® 2018 “Lawyer of the Year” for Trusts and Estates Law in the Sarasota area, which also includes Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as a “Lawyer of the Year.” These lawyers are selected based on impressive voting averages received during the peer-review assessments. Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.
Gans is certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in wills, trusts and estates, is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and has an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating from the attorney rating site Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating available for an attorney’s legal ability and professional ethics. Previously he was named Best Lawyers® 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” for Trusts and Estates Law in the Sarasota metropolitan area and the 2012 “Lawyer of the Year” for Trusts and Estates Law in the Tampa metropolitan area. He was named to the Best Lawyers In America© list from 2010-2018. Throughout his legal career he has also been recognized as a Florida Legal Elite (2008-2017), Florida Super Lawyer (2007-2017), and a Five Star Wealth Manager. In addition, he was named to the Florida Super Lawyers “Top 100” list in 2016 and to Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list in 2011.
He is a frequent lecturer on topics relating to wills, trusts, and estate planning, and his published works have appeared in legal and peer-reviewed publications. His professional affiliations include serving as a former President of both the Southwest Florida Planned Giving Council and Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, as well as serving on various committees of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar. He has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations and is currently Board Chair of both the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc. and the Woman’s Exchange, Inc.
About Fergeson Skipper, P.A. –
Fergeson Skipper, P.A., has provided legal support to clients for over 41 years. Founded in 1976, it is a full service law firm concentrating in the areas of federal taxation, wills, trusts and estates, civil, trial, business, and real estate law. All of the firm’s shareholders are certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in their areas of expertise. The Florida Bar’s certification process is rigorous, requiring years of legal experience, extensive peer review, and passage of a comprehensive written examination. The firm is located at 1515 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida; telephone 941-957-1900. For information, visit www.fergesonskipper.com.