Aird & Berlis Recognized as Leading Firm in Chambers High Net Worth 2026

Aird & Berlis is proud to be recognized in Chambers and Partners’ High Net Worth 2026 guide as a Band 1 firm in the areas of Private Wealth Law (Canada) and Private Wealth Disputes (Canada). 

Partners Rachel Blumenfeld, Edward Miller, Marni Pernica, Archie Rabinowitz, Melanie Yach and Holly Cunliffe are also individually recognized as leading lawyers in their respective areas of specialization.

Private Wealth Law:

Rachel Blumenfeld is Co-Leader of the firm's Trusts & Estates and Charities & Not-for-Profit Law Groups. She advises on tax, trusts, estate planning and administration, preparation of wills, power of attorney documents, business succession and insurance planning. Rachel has significant experience with cross-border planning for clients who have U.S. or other foreign connections. She also offers advice to charities and donors on planned giving, philanthropic programs, administration of bequests and other gifts. Rachel served as Chair of STEP Canada for the 2023-2025 term. 

Edward Miller is Co-Leader of the firm's Private Client Group. His practice focuses on domestic and international corporate tax planning as well as personal tax planning for owner-managers and high-net-worth individuals. He has advised on all areas of Canadian domestic and international income tax law, with a particular focus on investment funds, including exchange-traded funds, closed-end investment funds, mutual funds and offshore funds. 

Marni Pernica is Co-Leader of the firm’s Tax, Trusts & Estates and Private Client Groups. Her practice focuses on estate, income tax and succession planning, including cross-border planning, planning to reduce estate administration tax (formerly known as probate fees), the preparation of wills, powers of attorney and trusts, and assisting with estate administration. Additionally, Marni advises clients on how to reduce personal and corporate tax, including the effective use of a family trust.

Private Wealth Disputes:

Archie Rabinowitz is Co-Leader of the firm's Estate Litigation Group. He has extensive experience with will challenges, contested passing of accounts, validity of wills, estate claims, breach of trust actions, undue influence claims, interpretation of wills and the appointment or removal of trustees or guardians. He also has substantial trial and appellate experience in fiduciary litigation. Archie represents a wide range of trust companies, government agencies and individuals.

Melanie Yach is Co-Leader of the Estate Litigation Group. Her practice covers all areas of estates and trusts, including estate planning and estate administration, with a particular focus on litigation involving trusts, estates and capacity issues. Melanie’s practice extends beyond representing individuals and families to advising trust companies. She also serves as a third-party mediator in estates, trusts and/or capacity disputes. 

Holly Cunliffe, ranked as an Up & Coming Partner, is Co-Leader of the Estate Litigation Group. She has extensive experience representing executors, trustees, beneficiaries, attorneys, guardians and concerned family members. Holly provides legal counsel on a wide variety of matters related to inheritance, power of attorney and guardianship.