CHARLESTON – Spilman Thomas & Battle partner John F. Allevato is “very appreciative” after being awarded the highest recognition for private wealth attorneys in the 2017 edition of the Chambers High Net Worth (HNW) guide.
Allevato said the award recognizes lawyers who work with trusts and estates.
“It recognizes that there is a niche that we serve,” Allevato told The West Virginia Record. “For me, this really is the intersection of my two areas of practice.”
John F. Allevato
Allevato said the HNW award is “all peer reviewed,” adding that he had to provide references to the publication during the selection process.
Allevato said he is one of two West Virginia private wealth attorneys recognized by HNW, the other being Marcia Allen Broughton of Jackson Kelly Attorneys at Law PLLC.
Originally from Clarksburg, Allevato said he practiced in Columbus, Ohio, before returning to his home state to begin his work with Spilman.
“I was delighted to be able to come back to (West Virginia,” Allevato said. “It’s home. I really like what I do.”
Fellow West Virginians play an important part in Allevato’s love for the state.
“We’re the best people in the world, the nicest people in the world to work with,” he said.
The firm said in a release that Allevato “has extensive experience advising high net worth clients, many of whom are entrepreneurs and the owners of closely held businesses. He also advises institutional fiduciaries and works closely with Spilman litigators to handle contested estates.”
Allevato is the chairman of the West Virginia State Bar Probate Law Committee and as West Virginia State Chair of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
“Chambers HNW research found that Allevato is ‘technically excellent,’ ‘has a really good rapport with his clients,’ and that clients ‘have confidence in his judgment,’” the firm's release said.
Allevato holds a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a juris doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law, according to Spilman’s website.
Chambers HNW is a directory of leading lawyers, accounting and tax firms, private banks and wealth management firms, according to the Spilman statement.