Bridget O'Toole

With a career spanning over 33 years, Bridget O'Toole is a partner at the Schlanger Silver LLP, situated in Houston, Texas. She is a well-seasoned attorney focusing her practice on trust and estate litigation, probate law, guardianship and estate planning. Her interest in the legal field developed at a very young age while working with her father, a family law attorney, and built a deep understanding of the challenges clients face during difficult times.Starting her legal career at a major downtown law firm, Ms. O’Toole later transitioned to Schlanger Silver LLP, where she continues her practice in a collaborative environment supported by the firm's diverse practice areas, including tax and family law. In her role, she serves as a fierce advocate for her clients while also providing counsel and guidance as a trusted adviser.Ms. O’Toole handles a broad spectrum of matters, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, representation of executors, trustees and guardians in their fiduciary roles, contested guardianships, will contests, lawsuits involving trust disputes, trust modifications, estate planning, and trust and estate administration. She also strives to address complex issues related to probate, particularly in blended family situations involving stepparents or children from previous marriages.Certified as an attorney ad litem and a guardian ad litem, Ms. O’Toole frequently serves in these roles, bringing her experience to cases requiring special attention and representation. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 1985 and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in 1990. She is actively involved in professional organizations such as the Houston Business and Estate Planning Council, where she serves as president-elect, and the State Bar of Texas – Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section, among others.Throughout her career, Ms. O’Toole has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the legal profession. She has been named a Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer in Civil Law Litigation (2018, 2021-2022) and recognized among the Best Lawyers in America (2018-2023). Additionally, she holds an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell.*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.