Eight attorneys also receive individual honors, including multiple “Lawyer of the Year” awards
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., a leading multidisciplinary law firm with offices in Springfield and Northampton, has once again been recognized by Best Lawyers® as a Best Law Firm in Springfield, Massachusetts for 2026. The firm was honored for excellence in Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Corporate Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Trusts and Estates, Litigation – Trusts and Estates and Tax Law.
In addition, 8 attorneys from the firm were selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® or Ones to Watch®, with two receiving the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” designation in their practice areas.
2026 Individual Recognitions
- Attorney Carol Cioe Klyman – Named Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for both Trusts and Estates and Elder Law. She was also recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for her work in these fields. This marks the 19th consecutive year she has received Best Lawyers recognition.
- Attorney Steven Weiss (Longmeadow) – Selected for The Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law for the 14th consecutive year. He was additionally honored as Lawyer of the Year in Springfield for this practice area.
- Attorney Timothy P. Mulhern – Managing Partner, recognized for his excellence in Corporate Law and Tax Law.
- Attorney Michele J. Feinstein – Honored in The Best Lawyers in America® for Elder Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Trusts and Estates. She was previously named Lawyer of the Year in Trusts and Estates in 2025 and has been honored annually since 2013.
- Attorney Gary S. Fentin – Founding shareholder recognized for Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Transactions/Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Law.
- Attorney Steven J. Schwartz – Founding shareholder recognized for Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies, and Corporate Law.
- Attorney James B. Sheils – Honored for Commercial Transactions/Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Law. A partner with the firm since 1985, Sheils has been recognized by Best Lawyers annually since 2015.
- Attorney Stephen L. Sobey – Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Trusts and Estates.
About Best Lawyers®
Founded in 1981, Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Recognition is based entirely on an exhaustive, confidential survey of legal peers; no lawyer can pay for inclusion. The publication is regarded by both clients and attorneys as one of the most reliable and unbiased sources for legal referrals in the United States and around the world.
About Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C.
The nationally recognized attorneys at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., concentrate their practices in the areas of business planning, estate planning, elder and special needs law, estate settlement, commercial lending and tax-exempt bond financing, commercial real estate transactions, environmental law, zoning and permitting, trust and estates litigation, commercial litigation, tax law and bankruptcy. The firm’s institutional clients range from nonprofit corporations and closely held family enterprises to multinational corporations with operations throughout New England. The firm’s philosophy is to place the client’s needs first by providing tailored, results-oriented, cost-effective approaches to problem-solving and keeping current with innovative strategies. Founded in 1969 by two legal services attorneys, the firm of 17 attorneys has offices in Springfield and Northampton, Massachusetts. Additional information about Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin can be found on its website, ssfpc.com.