Bridget O’Toole
Partner
CONTACT
Phone: 713-735-8560
Fax: 713-785-2091
Email: botoole@schlangersilver.com
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PRACTICE AREAS
Trust and Estate Litigation
Estate Planning, Probate & Guardianship
Litigation
Profile
Bridget’s interest in the practice of law began with summer jobs working for her father, a family law attorney, where she assisted in helping clients through what can be one of the most difficult times in their lives. Today, with more than 27 years of experience in probate and trust litigation, Bridget serves not only as a strong advocate for her clients, but also as a counselor and trusted advisor.
Bridget started her legal career at a major downtown law firm. Her move to Schlanger Silver has allowed her to continue her practice in a collaborative setting supported by the firm’s other practice areas, including tax and family law. Bridget handles a range of matters, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, representing executors, trustees and guardians in their fiduciary roles, contested guardianships, will contests, lawsuits involving trust disputes, trust modifications, estate planning and trust and estate administration and other complex matters related to probate. In blended family situations with step-parents or children from a previous marriage, Bridget helps her clients navigate through the myriad of issues that arise when a family member dies or becomes incapacitated.
Bridget is certified as an attorney ad litem and a guardian ad litem and has served in such roles frequently throughout her career.
Bridget’s Practice Includes
- Trust and Estate Litigation
- Probate
- Guardianship
- Estate Planning
Education
Vanderbilt University
B.A., 1985
University of Houston Law Center
J.D., 1990
Membership and Affiliations
- Houston Probate Council, President-Elect
- State Bar of Texas, 1990
Real Estate and Probate Section - Houston Bar Association,
Probate Section - Texas State Bar College
- Attorneys in Tax and Probate
- Disability and Elder Law Association
- Attorney Ad Litem/Guardian Ad Litem Certification
- Texas Bar Fellow
- College of the State Bar
Recognitions and Awards
Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer (Civil Law Litigation), 2018, 2021-2022
Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2023
Texas Super Lawyer, 2013, 2015-2022 (by Thomson Reuters, as listed in Texas Monthly)
H Texas Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Houston 2016, 2017
Rating in Martindale Hubbell “AV” (highest)
Publications and Speeches
- “Realistic Solutions to Complex Guardianships,” The Wills and Probate Institute, September 18, 2013
- “Tax Act and Revenue Proposals,” Texas Lawyer, June 2011
- “Taking Stock – A Guide to Probate and Guardianship Inventories,” The Wills and Probate Institute, September 24, 2009.
- “Get It in Writing: HIPAA Makes It Vital to Get Documents Signed Early,” Houston Business Journal, October 3, 2008
- “Proper Planning Can Reduce Stress,” Well Being Journal, Sept/Oct 2008
- “Help! I need Somebody and Not Just Anybody – From Application to Appointment: An Overview of the Process to Appoint Temporary and Permanent Guardians,” South Texas College of Law, Guardian Ad Litem Certification Course, September 5, 2007
- “Abuses of Powers of Attorney, or Why Guardianships Can Be Good,” South Texas College of Law, The Wills and Probate Institute, September 11-12, 2003
Personal
Bridget has three wonderful daughters that she enjoys spending time with in addition to travel, swimming, yoga, and photography.