Holly A Beecher

Rochester Business Journal Staff//July 17, 2026//

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Partner, Practice Group Leader of Trusts & Estates Group, Phillips Lytle LLP

Years in current role: 28 as parter; 6 as Practice Group Leader

What changes in the legal industry do you believe will have the biggest impact on clients over the next few years?

The continued development of AI in the legal profession will impact law firms and how attorneys practice.

What is one challenge currently facing the legal profession that deserves more attention?

Specifically, there is a shortage of Trust and Estate attorneys nationwide. Despite the increase in the federal estate and gift tax exclusion amount in 2026 to $15 million, NY’s estate tax exclusion amount is set at $7.35 million. With the number of baby boomers in today’s population along with the wealth they have accumulated, and the disparity between the federal and NY estate tax exclusion amounts, estate planning and well-trained estate planners are needed now.

How do you balance legal expertise with client service and relationship-building?

I’m not sure if there is a balance between legal expertise and client service and relationship-building. Instead, I think that the client service and relationship-building is a direct result of the legal expertise a practitioner has and how well it is communicated to the client. In my practice area, I try to approach each client relationship as an opportunity to educate my clients about the current tax laws and planning options available to them to meet the goals they want to achieve. Their enhanced understanding of the various planning vehicles and opportunities helps their comfort level about the subject and in turn, further develops the relationship with the planner.

This profile is part of our Trusts & Estates Power List for 2026. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.