Neil Smola brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as a Senior Associate at Cohen Cleary, P.C. With a multifaceted legal practice encompassing trusts & estates, business law, real estate, and civil litigation, Neil is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of his clients.

Professional Background:

Following law school and his admittance into the Massachusetts and Connecticut bars, Neil worked in the Massachusetts Superior Court as a law clerk for three years assisting the justices with a variety of matters including research and draft opinions. Neil then began his private practice with Perry, Hicks, Deshaies and Mello LLP, a boutique law firm in New Bedford, Massachusetts. While at Perry Hicks, Neil’s practice consisted of estate planning, trust and estate administration, trust and estate litigation, real estate and land use, as well as general civil litigation. Following his tenure with Perry Hicks, and prior to joining Cohen Cleary, P.C., Neil served as chair of the Trusts & Estates Group at Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP. In that capacity, he assisted individuals and families in safeguarding personal assets and devising effective strategies for wealth transfer to future generations. He also continued his practice in the areas of trust and estate administration and litigation as well as real estate, land use, and general civil litigation.

Neil’s proficiency in trust administration, estate planning, and probate law allows him to craft smart legal solutions that leverage current tax laws and protective measures. He employs a variety of estate planning and trust administration tools, including revocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney, guardianships and conservatorships, healthcare proxies, and irrevocable insurance trusts, among others.

As an advisor to trustees, personal representatives, and other fiduciaries, Neil provides practical, results-driven legal counsel for both routine and complex trust and estate matters, spanning low to high-value estates. His expertise in transactional and litigious real estate matters further enhances his trust and estate practice.

Professional Licenses:

• Massachusetts State Bar, 2011
• Massachusetts Federal District Court, 2019
• Connecticut State Bar, 2012
• Rhode Island State Bar, 2023

Professional Affiliations:

• Real Estate Bar Association, Massachusetts
• Bristol County Bar Association
• New Bedford Bar Association

Education:

• Juris Doctor, University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth
  • Valedictorian
  • Executive Articles Editor, Law Journals 2010 & 2011
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Providence College

With his blend of legal acumen, dedication, and client-focused approach, Neil Smola is committed to delivering exceptional legal services and achieving favorable outcomes for his clients at Cohen Cleary, P.C.