NEW YORK – September 28, 2026 – Kleinberg Kaplan announced that Sharon Weinberg Nokes has joined the Firm as a partner in its Trusts & Estates practice. Her arrival deepens Kleinberg Kaplan’s capabilities in tax-exempt organizations, philanthropy and nonprofit governance, which represent key areas of growing importance to the Firm’s high-net-worth, family office, funds and…
JEFFREY B. KOLODNY
PARTNER
Jeff Kolodny is Chair of the Trusts & Estates Practice Group. He advises clients on complex international and domestic estate planning and administration, with a focus on wealth preservation through effective tax planning, structuring, and personal planning for high-net-worth individuals, multinational families and family-owned businesses.
Practices
About
Described by clients in Chambers High Net Worth as “a very competent and experienced attorney with a practical approach,” Jeff advises domestic and international clients on a wide range of estate planning, tax, and fiduciary matters. He specializes in effective wealth transfer and tax strategies, guiding clients through their roles as fiduciaries and beneficiaries, and representing them in complex Surrogate’s Court proceedings, including will contests and accountings.
Jeff regularly advises high net worth individuals including hedge fund managers, private equity managers, entrepreneurs, and family offices regarding transfer tax planning and supports family-owned businesses with business succession strategies. For international clients, Jeff creates plans and structures that achieve wealth transfer and other objectives while minimizing taxes when multiple legal and tax systems apply. He frequently assists foreign individuals with U.S. property, fiduciaries with cross-border assets, and U.S. nationals with international holdings.
Jeff is a full member of the New York Chapter of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Jeff is ranked by Chambers High Net Worth and has been recognized by Best Lawyers® for Trusts & Estates since 2018.
Education
New York University School of Law (L.L.M., 1998)
New York University School of Law (J.D., 1995)
SUNY Albany (B.S., 1989)
Bar Admissions
New York
Accolades
Chambers High Net Worth (Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market)
2024
The Best Lawyers in America® (Trusts & Estates)
2019 – Present
Publications
Maximizing QSBS Income Tax Savings With Trusts
New York Law Journal, September 2022
Bloomberg Tax Management Estates, Gifts, and Trusts Journal, September 2020, Co-Authored with Joshua M. Kaplan
To Do: Year-End Estate Tax Planning
SmartPros, December 2018
Unpredictable Treatment – Should trusts be used in jurisdictions unfamiliar with the concept?
Trusts & Estates, November 2011
The New Expatriation Tax Regime
New York Law Journal, January 2010, Co-Authored with Rachel E. Small
Ties to U.S. and Canada
New York Law Journal, September 2007, Co-Authored with Michael Galligan and Rachel E. Small
Modern Inheritance Develops in China
New York Law Journal, February 2007, Co-Authored with Hao Wang and Michael W. Galligan
Insights
Kleinberg Kaplan Welcomes Sharon Weinberg Nokes as Partner in the Trusts & Estates Practice
September 28, 2026Firm NewsKleinberg Kaplan Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth 2026
July 23, 2026FEATURED PUBLICATION, Firm NewsPremier boutique law firm Kleinberg Kaplan announced that it has earned its first-ever Band 1 ranking for the “Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York” category in the 2026 edition of Chambers High Net Worth. As part of the editorial research process, Chambers spoke with industry leaders and clients who described the firm as having…
Kleinberg Kaplan Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth 2025
July 29, 2025Firm NewsNew York, July 28, 2025 — Premier boutique law firm Kleinberg Kaplan announced that it has been recognized by Chambers High Net Worth 2025 as a leading firm. The firm was included in the “Private Wealth Law: Mid-Market – New York” category. A source stated, “Kleinberg Kaplan has smart and creative lawyers who are very…