Jonathan M. Eck
Overview
ShareholderJonathan is a director and shareholder in the Trusts and Estates and the Litigation departments. He maintains a practice that spans from probate litigation (including disputes over matters such as the validity of wills and trusts, the management of estate and trust assets, and the conduct of fiduciaries such as executors, trustees, agents under powers of attorney, and guardians), to guardianships, to estate planning and estate and trust administration. Jonathan’s probate litigation clients include beneficiaries, trustees, executors, guardians, and agents under powers of attorney.
In his estate planning practice Jonathan assists individuals in the creation of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. He enjoys strategizing and working with clients to understand and achieve their estate planning goals and objectives. Jonathan’s probate litigation experience lends a unique and valuable perspective to his estate planning practice.
For many years Jonathan’s practice was largely based in high-exposure tort claims and business disputes. In the context of litigation, Jonathan’s goal is to help his clients find the most cost-effective solution to their legal disputes, but with his background and experience, he is prepared to help his clients fully litigate when necessary or prudent to do so. He prides himself on his diligent, conscientious, and determined representation of all of his clients, whether in the context of planning, administration, or litigation.
Past Experience
Prior to joining Orr & Reno, Jonathan was a shareholder with another full-service New Hampshire law firm, based out of its Manchester office. From 2022-2023, Jonathan was President of the New Hampshire Bar Association.
Notable Cases
- Representing family members or other beneficiaries in challenges to wills/trusts on grounds of lack of mental capacity and/or undue influence
- Representing trustees in disputes over the handling of trust assets
- Representing family members or agents relative to power of attorney accountings
- Representing petitioners in guardianship proceedings
- Representing businesses and business owners in a broad and diverse range of matters, including but not limited to numerous breach of contract and breach of duty claims
- Representing numerous clients defending against personal injury claims
Hobbies
When he is not practicing law, Jonathan enjoys training for and competing in triathlons, hiking, skiing, and spending time with his family.
Professional and Community Involvement
Professional Involvement
- Trustee (and former Vice President), New Hampshire Supreme Court Society
- Past President, New Hampshire Bar Association
- Past President, Manchester Bar Association
- Past Member, Federal Court Advisory Committee, United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
- Past Chair, New Hampshire Bar Association Committee on Cooperation With the Courts
- Past Member of the Executive Committee, New Hampshire Estate Planning Council
Community Involvement
- Past Regional Advisory Board Member, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Honors & Distinctions
- Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in 2025 for Litigation – Real Estate, Concord
- Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in 2024 for Litigation – Insurance, Concord
- Cited in The Best Lawyers in America for Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2025), Commercial Litigation (2025), Litigation – Real Estate (2025), Litigation – Insurance (since 2021); Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, (since 2023)
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer, 2020-2025; Rising Star, 2011-2016
- Recipient of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation’s Robert E. Kirby Award, 2015 (http://www.nhbarfoundation.org/Robert_E_Kirby_Award.php)
- Fellow, New Hampshire Bar Foundation, since 2016
- Leadership New Hampshire, Class of 2018
- Leadership Greater Manchester, Class of 2011
