Best Lawyers in America selected 22 Sirote & Permutt attorneys for inclusion in the 2007 edition of the legal reference guide, with five of the firm’s attorneys cited for their inclusion in the publication for over 10 years.

Attorneys Harold Apolinsky and Joel A. Mendler have been selected by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers for over 20 years.



Professional Profile
Attorneys Harold Apolinsky
* Estate Planning Law Specialist
* Assists clients in developing their estate and financial plans and effect reductions in estate, gift, and generation skipping taxes
* Assists clients with probate of wills and administration of estates
* Registered Federal Lobbyist (focus: Repeal of Tax at Death)
* Adjunct Professor:
University of Alabama School of Law (1974-99), Estate Planning
Cumberland School of Law (1976-2001), Estate Planning and Taxation
* Recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals 2005 National Philanthropy Day Award: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Outstanding Professional Adviser Award
* Chair, St. Vincent's Professional Advisor's Council 2005
* Recipient of the highest rating attainable by Martindale-Hubbell, a reflection of having achieved preeminent status in the areas of professional skill and integrity
* Listed by Corporate Counsel Magazine in their selection of the 2003 Best Lawyers in America: Tax Law
* Listed in Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White, Inc for at least twenty years
* Named "Best of Class" 2006 by Best of US Inc. for Tax Law
* Founder and Regent (1981-87) of American College of Tax Counsel; President (1981-83)
* Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
* Member, Alabama Symphony Orchestra Endowment Board
* Member, The Group (organization of 150 tax/health lawyers representing family businesses and professionals)
* Chair, Small Business Council of America (1991-1993); Vice-President Legislation (1994-2000)
* Chair, Alabama Law Institute Committee which revised Professional Corporation Act
* Member, Tax Section of American Bar Associations
Chair, Regional Liaison Meetings Committee, (1991-1993)
Chair, Personal Service Organization Committee, Tax Section, (1982-84)
* Member, Alabama State Bar
Chair, Tax Section, (1972-73)
* Member, American, Alabama, and Birmingham Bar Associations
* Argued and won Nash vs. U.S. , Supreme Court of the United States - 1970
Practice Areas:
* Estate Planning
* Estate Administration
* Federal Income Tax
* Lobbying (Federal & State)
* Mediation





Joel A. Mendler

Education:
B.A., Tulane University, 1965
J.D., Tulane University, 1968 (Order of the Coif)

Professional Profile:

* Admitted to practice in Alabama and Louisiana
* Louisiana Board Certified Tax Attorney Specialist
* Louisiana Board Certified Estate Planning and Estate Administration Specialist
* Advises and implements estate plans, including drafting wills, trusts and advance directives
* Handles and reviews estate administrations
* Counsels clients on wealth preservation, business succession planning and asset protection
* Counsels families on financing long-term care needs, including long-term care insurance and Medicaid
* Financial and legal planning for disabled family members
* Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
* Member, American Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Division and Tax Division
* Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
* Member, Special Needs Alliance
* Past President, Jewish Endowment Foundation of New Orleans
* Past President, Woldenberg Retirement Village of New Orleans
* Past President, Advocacy Center for the Elderly and Disabled
* Past President, Metairie Sunrise Rotary Club and Rotarian of the Year (2001-2002)

Honors:

* Listed in Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White, Inc. every year since 1983
* Named "Best of Class" 2006 by Best of US Inc. for Tax Law
* Listed by Worth Magazine (12/05) in its selection of the Top 100 Lawyers in Estate Planning
* Recipient of the Council of Jewish Federations’ Endowment Achievement Award by New Orleans Jewish Endowment Foundation and Young Family Award for Professional Excellence
Practice Areas:

*
Estate Planning
*
Charitable Planning
*
Trusts, Wills and Probate
*
Disability and Special Needs Planning
*
Elder Care Law
*
Tax