Leech Tishman is pleased to announce that Partners Elisabeth St. Blaise McCarthy and Stefanie L. Pate have been appointed Co-Chairs of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, effective July 1.
In their new leadership roles, McCarthy and Pate will guide the continued growth of the firm’s nationally recognized Trusts & Estates Practice Group, overseeing practice management, client service initiatives, collaboration opportunities, mentoring, and recruiting. Together, they will further strengthen the team’s comprehensive estate planning, wealth preservation, trust and estate administration, and fiduciary litigation services for individuals, families, business owners, and fiduciaries.
McCarthy focuses her practice on sophisticated estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, business succession planning, trust and estate administration, and charitable planning. She regularly counsels high-net-worth individuals, families, and closely held business owners on developing customized plans designed to preserve wealth, minimize tax exposure, and achieve long-term personal and business objectives. McCarthy joined Leech Tishman in January 2026 along with Jonathan Herlands and Carol W. Beier.
Pate concentrates her practice on estate planning, trust and estate administration, fiduciary litigation, guardianships, and related tax matters. She works closely with individuals, families, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries to navigate complex estate and trust issues, providing practical, compassionate counsel through both planning and dispute resolution. In addition to her client work, Pate is an active thought leader in the trusts and estates community, frequently publishing and speaking on developments affecting fiduciaries and estate planning professionals. She has been part of Leech Tishman’s Trusts & Estates Team for nearly 13 years, having joined the firm as an Associate in October 2013.
“We are excited to have Elisabeth and Stefanie serve as Co-Chairs of our Trusts & Estates Practice Group,” said Pete A. Fuscaldo, Managing Partner of Leech Tishman. “They are both highly respected attorneys whose leadership, technical knowledge, and dedication to client service have earned the trust of clients and colleagues alike. Together, they are exceptionally well positioned to lead the continued growth of our Trusts & Estates Practice and further enhance the outstanding service we provide to our clients.”
McCarthy and Pate succeed Ted Tishman and Wesley Yang, who led the Trusts & Estates Practice Group for the past three and a half years.