#United States #Beverly Hills #Ervin Cohen #Carico McDonald #Trust and Estate

Ervin Cohen & Jessup Expands Legal Presence in California

In a significant move within the legal landscape of California, Ervin Cohen & Jessup (ECJ) has announced its merger with the esteemed trust and estate practice, Carico McDonald Kil & Benz LLP. This strategic alliance not only strengthens ECJ's position in the market but also signifies a commitment to excellence in legal service delivery. The new collaboration took effect on January 1, 2026, marking a pivotal expansion into the region's trust and estate legal services.

A Strategic Alignment

The merger will see the integration of six attorneys from Carico McDonald Kil & Benz LLP into the ECJ team, including established partners like Christopher Carico, Bill Benz, Angela Kil, Bruce Macdonald, along with their associate Katherine Lasko and a support staff of paralegals and legal secretaries. This addition represents a substantial enhancement to ECJ's capabilities, enriching the firm's offerings and geographic reach significantly.

Christopher Carico, the founding partner of Carico McDonald Kil & Benz LLP, expressed enthusiasm about the transition, citing a shared commitment to client-focused advocacy with ECJ. He emphasized, “Joining ECJ allows us to enhance the breadth of services we offer while maintaining the high level of attention and care our clients rely on.” This sentiment reflects a forward-thinking approach to legal practice, where collaboration is paramount to success.

Strengthening Client Services

Barry MacNaughton, the managing partner of Ervin Cohen & Jessup, welcomed the new team, highlighting the deep expertise that the Carico group brings in trust, estate, and probate law. He stated, “We are excited to welcome Chris and his exceptional team to ECJ. Their deep experience in trust, estate and probate law significantly enhances our capabilities and presence in California.” This positive outlook on the merger indicates a promising future for the firm as it expands its service offerings across California.

Geographic Expansion

The merger aligns with ECJ's ongoing strategy to broaden its geographic footprint and legal service capabilities. Following a recent expansion to the East Coast with the addition of Partner Matthew S. Blum and two associates in New York City, this latest development is part of a larger growth strategy aimed at providing comprehensive, high-quality legal services across the United States.

The firm, recognized as a Chambers California Spotlight-ranked law firm, offers a wide array of business-related legal services which include real estate transactions, finance, corporate law, employment, intellectual property, technology, trusts, estates, probate, tax planning and controversies, bankruptcy receivership, reorganization, as well as healthcare law and litigation. The addition of the Carico team signifies a commitment to enhancing these services, particularly in the trust and estate sectors, serving a growing client base in California.

Conclusion

As the legal industry continues to evolve, the merger of Ervin Cohen & Jessup with Carico McDonald Kil & Benz LLP marks a forward-thinking approach aimed at not only meeting client needs but exceeding them through enhanced service offerings and strategic partnerships. This expansion is expected to set a new benchmark in the realm of trust and estate law in California, providing clients with unparalleled legal expertise and resources.

For those seeking more information about Ervin Cohen & Jessup and their expanded services, visit their official website at www.ecjlaw.com.