Bridget O’Toole
/in partners Estate Planning, Probate and Guardianship, partners Litigation, partners Trust and Estate Litigation /by l3g4l.w0rdzBridget 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.
Sara Madole
/in atty Madole, partners Estate Planning, Probate and Guardianship, partners Litigation, partners Trust and Estate Litigation /by Nathan MontezSara Madole
Partner
CONTACT
Phone: 713-735-8581
Fax: 713-351-4581
Email: smadole@schlangersilver.com
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PRACTICE AREAS
Trust and Estate Litigation
Estate Planning, Probate & Guardianship
Litigation
Profile
Sara grew up in Houston and attended the University of Texas at Austin. Sara returned to Houston to attend law school and graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 2007. She first became interested in probate and estate planning at her first law firm, where she learned that she could provide a genuine benefit to clients by guiding them through an often-intimidating probate process. After the passing of the firm’s founding partner, Sara joined a mid-sized firm downtown where she expanded her practice to include commercial litigation and business disputes. She also continued to assist clients with probate matters, including guardianships, will contests and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
Sara joined Schlanger Silver in 2016, where she focuses on probate and trust litigation. She is a determined advocate for her clients and also a source of compassionate counsel, working to find practical solutions wherever possible.
Sara Madole’s Practice Includes
- Trust and Estate Litigation
- Probate
- Estate Planning
Education
University of Texas at Austin
B.A., Sociology, cum laude, 2002
University of Houston Law Center
J.D., 2007
- Family Law Clinic (partnership with AVDA – Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse)
- Transactional Law Clinic
- Lorance & Thompson Negotiation Competition, second place
Membership and Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas, 2007
- US District Court Southern District of Texas, 2010
- Certified Mediator, 2004
- Houston Bar Association
- Association of Women Attorneys
- Business Law, Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law sections of Texas State Bar
Community Involvement
- Woodland Heights Civic Association
- Texas Exes
- Citizens for Animal Protection
Recognitions and Awards
Best Lawyers in America (Litigation – Trusts and Estates), 2022 – 2023
Best Lawyers in Texas (Litigation – Trusts and Estates), 2022 – 2023
Publications and Speeches
“That’s Mine: Partition of Property in Trusts and Estates”
Presenter at the HBA Probate and Estate Section Meeting On February 27, 2018
Personal
Sara and her partner Patrick Ronan enjoy scuba diving, working on their 1920s bungalow, and chasing after their motley crew of pets.
Schlanger Silver LLP
109 North Post Oak Lane, Suite 300 | Houston,Texas 77024 | 713.785.1700
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