Richards, Layton & Finger and Four Directors Earn High Marks in Private Wealth Law
July 23, 2026
Firm News| Tax| Trusts & Estates| Fiduciary Litigation
WILMINGTON, Delaware (July 23, 2026) –Richards, Layton & Finger’s trusts and estates practice and directors have been recognized in Chambers HNW, the international guide to the world’s leading high-net-worth advisors, for more than a decade. Four directors are recognized for excellence. Chad M. Shandler is recognized in Private Wealth Disputes, and F. Peter Conaty Jr., Beth Gansen Knight, and W. Donald Sparks, II are named in Private Wealth Law.
Richards Layton’s trusts and estates team represents financial institutions, corporate fiduciaries, and high-net-worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning, trust and estate administration, tax issues, and fiduciary matters. The firm’s fiduciary litigation attorneys have won significant cases in court involving private wealth disputes. “Richards Layton has a depth of experience and knowledge in the tax and estate arena that is hard to match. Additionally, it has a ‘roll up our sleeves’ mentality towards completing projects for clients” (Chambers HNW, 2026).
Peter Conaty, Jr. represents high-net-worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning matters and advises individuals regarding estate and trust administration and Delaware trust law. He “is sophisticated and intelligent enough to be trusted with the most complex matters” and is “kind, personable, and easy to work with” (Chambers HNW, 2026). Peter is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. In addition to his Chambers HNW ranking, Peter has consistently been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and as a Delaware Today Top Lawyer.
Beth Knight advises high-net-worth individuals in implementing sophisticated estate plans, focusing on tax planning and wealth preservation. Her practice also includes advising individual and corporate fiduciaries regarding trust and estate administration matters, family planning vehicles, and Delaware trust law. Beth “brings a deep understanding and strong sense of empathy to the tasks at hand.” She “is a great technician” with “a very thoughtful approach” (Chambers HNW, 2026). She has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and as a Delaware Today Top Lawyer, as well as in Chambers HNW.
Chad Shandler is chair of Richards Layton’s Litigation Department. “A tough litigator and a strong advocate for his clients,” he “has a tremendous amount of private wealth litigation experience under his belt” (Chambers HNW, 2026). Chad has achieved significant victories in all of Delaware’s courts, handling business litigation and intellectual property disputes as well as complex trusts and estates disputes in which he represents financial institutions, trust companies, and high net worth individuals. In addition to his recognition in Chambers HNW, Chad is listed in Benchmark Litigation and The Best Lawyers in America.
Donald Sparks is renowned for his “broad knowledge in private wealth law and deep experience” (Chambers HNW). His “reputation both locally and nationally speaks for itself” (Chambers HNW, 2026). Don represents banks, trust companies, and high-net-worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning and fiduciary matters. His practice focuses on estate planning, estate administration, tax-exempt organizations, and fiduciary litigation. Don is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and, in addition to Chambers HNW, he has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and as a Delaware Today Top Lawyer.
About Richards, Layton & Finger
Richards, Layton & Finger has been defining Delaware law since 1899. Delaware’s largest law firm and one of its oldest, Richards Layton helps sophisticated clients navigate complex issues and the intricacies of Delaware law. We advise global companies, business partnerships, leading financial institutions, local businesses, and individuals across a wide range of practices, including corporate law, alternative entities, commercial law, bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, intellectual property, tax, trusts and estates, commercial real estate, and litigation.