A Historic Step in Nutter’s 146-Year Journey

For more than 146 years, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP has stood as one of Boston’s most respected law firms. Founded in 1879 by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, the firm has long been recognized for its excellence in legal service, its culture of collaboration, and its dedication to both clients and community.

In August 2025, Nutter announced the largest single expansion in its history, welcoming 13 attorneys across California, Hawaii, and New York. This milestone was not just about numbers. It reshaped the firm’s identity and cemented its status as one of the largest bi-coastal trusts and estates practices in the United States.

This significant move was highlighted by the Nutter Hartog Baer merger, an integration that brought one of California’s most prominent trusts and estates boutiques into the fold.

Who Is Hartog Baer, APC?

At the heart of this expansion lies Hartog Baer, APC, a highly respected boutique firm based in Orinda, California. For decades, Hartog Baer has been recognized as a leader in trusts and estates law, with particular strengths in fiduciary litigation, probate disputes, and elder law.

Founded by John A. Hartog and David W. Baer, the firm built its reputation on delivering personalized, client-focused legal services while taking on some of California’s most complex estate and fiduciary disputes. Their attorneys earned the respect of colleagues, clients, and courts alike, becoming a trusted name in California’s probate bar.

When the opportunity arose to join Nutter, both Hartog and Baer recognized the potential to expand their reach while preserving their legacy of service. By merging with Nutter, their team of nine attorneys, including Kevin P. O’Brien, Christopher D. Jew, Anthony G. Matricciani, Mary T. Nguyen, Amanda E. Sherwood, David Yu, and Ana M. Allec, gained access to national resources while continuing to operate out of their Orinda office.

The merger reflects a broader trend in today’s legal industry: boutique firms combining with larger platforms to deliver local expertise at a national scale.

Why This Merger Matters for California Families

California’s probate and trusts landscape is among the most complex in the nation. High-value estates, blended family structures, and rising incidents of fiduciary disputes make it essential for families to work with lawyers who not only understand the law but also appreciate the human stakes involved.

The Nutter Hartog Baer merger gives California families exactly that combination. Clients gain the benefit of Hartog Baer’s deep local roots and courtroom experience, backed by Nutter’s national platform and private client depth.

For families facing disputes over inheritance, guardianship, fiduciary duties, or allegations of elder financial abuse, this merger signals a new era of powerful advocacy paired with compassionate service.

Expanding Beyond California: Hawaii & New York

While the Hartog Baer integration drew much of the attention, Nutter’s 2025 expansion also reached Hawaii and New York, creating a truly tri-coastal footprint.

Hawaii: Reinforcing Pacific Presence

In Honolulu, Nutter welcomed John K. Matsumoto as a partner in the Private Client Department. With deep experience in estate planning and wealth management, Matsumoto strengthens Nutter’s ability to serve business and real estate owners in Hawaii. His arrival ensures that clients in the Pacific can access world-class estate planning services without leaving the islands.

Matsumoto himself emphasized Nutter’s individualized approach:

“I look forward to partnering with the team to deliver personalized, strategic wealth management solutions that help our clients plan confidently for the future.”

New York: Expanding Core Practices

In New York, Nutter added Jon C. Popin and James S. Trainor as partners, along with associate Jordana A. Garellek.

• Popin and Garellek enhance Nutter’s already respected real estate and land use practice, helping clients navigate New York City’s complex development and zoning environment.

• Trainor brings national recognition as an IP litigator, focused on life sciences, antitrust, and First Amendment disputes.

These additions expand Nutter’s metropolitan presence, making the firm more competitive in one of the world’s most challenging legal markets.

Building One of the Largest Bi-Coastal Trusts & Estates Practices

With this expansion, Nutter’s Private Client Department now totals 40 attorneys nationwide. The firm holds a Band 1 ranking from Chambers and Partners, a testament to its leadership in estate planning, trust administration, and fiduciary litigation.

By joining forces with Hartog Baer and Matsumoto, Nutter positioned itself as a leading national player in trusts and estates law, able to address multi-jurisdictional disputes with unmatched depth. Families with homes, businesses, and investments spanning California, Hawaii, New York, and Massachusetts can now receive seamless representation under one roof.

What This Means for Clients

For clients, this expansion is more than just a headline. It translates into tangible benefits:

• Seamless service across jurisdictions: Families no longer need multiple law firms when estates or disputes span multiple states.

• Deeper bench strength: Larger teams mean more specialized knowledge in trusts, estates, IP, real estate, and litigation.

• Strategic planning: Access to cross-disciplinary counsel ensures that estate planning integrates business, tax, and real estate considerations.

In the words of co-managing partner Michael E. Scott:

“The expansion of these critical practices, in key geographies, aligns with our plan and further positions Nutter as a market leader.”

Lessons for the Legal Industry

The expansion speaks volumes about where the legal industry is heading:

• Boutiques merging into national firms: Like Hartog Baer, many niche practices recognize the value of joining forces with larger platforms.

• Trust litigation is growing: Blended families, elder financial abuse, and cross-border estates are fueling rising demand.

• Clients demand scale and personalization: Families want both national resources and boutique-style service.

As co-managing partner Liam T. O’Connell noted:

“Our continued growth in strategic and core practice areas allows us to meet increasing demand for legal services and further assist clients in pursuing business initiatives.”

Hartog Baer’s Legacy and Future with Nutter

One of the most striking aspects of this expansion is how Nutter respected the culture and identity of Hartog Baer. The California attorneys will continue to operate from Orinda, serving local families while gaining access to national-scale resources.

John Hartog captured the sentiment well:

“Joining Nutter was a clear and compelling choice. We are united by a deep commitment to personalized service, outstanding legal counsel, and a culture grounded in respect, for both clients and colleagues.”

David Baer echoed this:

“We value that Nutter is a firm with national reach and an unwavering focus on client service. We are excited to join such a highly respected firm.”

This integration ensures that Hartog Baer’s legacy thrives within Nutter’s framework, combining the best of both worlds.

The Broader Picture: Trust Litigation in Transition

Why does this matter beyond one firm? Because trust litigation is in transition nationwide.

• Blended families: More Americans are remarrying, leading to disputes over inheritance and community vs. separate property.

• Elder financial abuse: As people live longer, cases of exploitation and undue influence are rising.

• Cross-border estates: With families owning assets in multiple states or countries, jurisdictional disputes are increasingly common.

By expanding strategically, Nutter demonstrates how firms must anticipate client needs and position themselves for the next generation of fiduciary litigation.

Beyond Trusts: Real Estate, Litigation, and IP

While the trusts and estates story is central, Nutter’s expansion also significantly strengthened its real estate, litigation, and IP practices:

• In 2024 alone, Nutter’s real estate attorneys advised on 330 acquisitions, 200 development approvals, 260 leases, and 180 real estate loans.

• The Litigation Department continues to resolve complex disputes in real estate, banking, and corporate law.

• The IP practice, recognized with Tier 1 rankings, handles disputes in patents, trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, and trade secrets.

With James Trainor’s IP expertise, the Nutter Hartog Baer merger strengthens Nutter’s reputation for safeguarding innovation in high-stakes disputes.

Trust and estate disputes often go hand in hand with real estate challenges. When families inherit property, disagreements can quickly arise over sales, evictions, or partitions. These conflicts highlight why strong legal guidance is critical in estate administration. For a deeper look at how real estate disputes play out in trust litigation, see Hackard Law’s recent post, Real Estate Battles in Trust Litigation.

A New Era for Trusts & Estates Law

The Nutter Hartog Baer merger, along with expansion into Hawaii and New York, marks a strategic shift that positions Nutter as a leading private client law firm with broad strength in trusts, estates, real estate, IP, and litigation.

For families and business leaders, this means greater access to experienced counsel and strategies that protect legacies across generations and geographies. As the legal industry adapts to wealth transfers and cross-border complexity, firms that combine local expertise with national reach will shape the future of trusts and estates law.

For more resources on trusts, estates, and fiduciary litigation, visit Hackard Law’s Contact Us page to learn more.