Bridget O'Toole

Top rated Estate & Trust Litigation attorney in Houston, Texas

Schlanger Silver LLP
Bridget O'Toole
Schlanger Silver LLP

Practice areas: Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate; view more

Licensed in Texas since: 1990

Education: University of Houston Law Center

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013, 2015 - 2025

Schlanger Silver LLP

109 North Post Oak Lane
Suite 300
Houston, TX 77024 Visit website

Details

With a career spanning over 33 years, Bridget O'Toole is a partner at the Schlanger Silver LLP, situated in Houston, Texas. She is a well-seasoned attorney focusing her practice on trust and estate litigation, probate law, guardianship and estate planning. Her interest in the legal field developed at a very young age while working with her father, a family law attorney, and built a deep understanding of the challenges clients face during difficult times.

Starting her legal career at a major downtown law firm, Ms. O’Toole later transitioned to Schlanger Silver LLP, where she continues her practice in a collaborative environment supported by the firm's diverse practice areas, including tax and family law. In her role, she serves as a fierce advocate for her clients while also providing counsel and guidance as a trusted adviser.

Ms. O’Toole handles a broad spectrum of matters, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, representation of 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. She also strives to address complex issues related to probate, particularly in blended family situations involving stepparents or children from previous marriages.

Certified as an attorney ad litem and a guardian ad litem, Ms. O’Toole frequently serves in these roles, bringing her experience to cases requiring special attention and representation. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 1985 and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in 1990. She is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Houston Business and Estate Planning Council, where she serves as president-elect, and the State Bar of Texas – Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section, among others.

Throughout her career, Ms. O’Toole has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the legal profession. She has been named a Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer in Civil Law Litigation (2018, 2021-2022) and recognized among the Best Lawyers in America (2018-2023). Additionally, she holds an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

Practice areas

Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate

Focus areas

Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Will Contests, Wills

  • 80% Estate & Trust Litigation
  • 20% Estate Planning & Probate

First Admitted: 1990, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://www.schlangersilver.com/attorneys/bridget-otoole-pur...

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • State Bar of Texas, Real Estate and Probate Section, 1990
  • Attorneys in Tax and Probate
  • State Bar of Texas, Real Estate and Probate Section
  • Chair-Elect, Houston Probate Council
  • Texas State Bar College
  • Texas Bar, 1990
  • Houston Bar Association, Probate Section
  • Disability and Elder Law Association
Special Licenses/Certifications:
  • Attorney Ad Litem/Guardian Ad Litem Certification
Honors/Awards:
  • Texas Super Lawyer, 2013, 2015-2022 (by Thomson Reuters, as listed in Texas Monthly)
  • Texas Bar Fellow
  • Rating in Martindale Hubbell “AV” (highest)
  • H Texas Magazine’s Top Lawyers of Houston 2016, 2017
  • Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer (Civil Law Litigation), 2018, 2021-2022
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2018-2023
Educational Background:
  • Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1985
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • “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

Office location for Bridget O'Toole

109 North Post Oak Lane
Suite 300
Houston, TX 77024

Phone: 713-735-8560

Selections

12 Years Super Lawyers
  • Super Lawyers: 2013, 2015 - 2025

Additional sources of information about Bridget O'Toole

Attorney resources for Bridget O'Toole

Page Generated: 0.14693284034729 sec