Michaelle DiGrazia Rafferty
Maupin Cox Legoy • Reno, NV
ProbateEstate PlanningPersonal InjuryTax
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Contact
Email
mrafferty@mcllawfirm.com
Phone
(775) 414-9906
Address
4785 Caughlin Parkway, Reno, NV, 89511, US
Professional
About
Michaelle DiGrazia Rafferty ("Michaelle") is a shareholder attorney in the law firm of Maupin, Cox & LeGoy, practicing in the areas of complex and high net worth planning, including estate planning, taxation, real property, charitable and business planning. In addition to the planning portion of her practice, Michaelle’s practice also serves complex estate and trust administrations (including litigation and family dispute resolution), and as an expert witness in litigation proceedings related to her area of practice. Michaelle has been awarded the highest possible rating of AV® Preeminent by Martindale Hubble, and was recently honored with Best Lawyers® in America’s award of "Reno’s Best - Trust & Estate Litigation Attorney" by her peers. She is appointed to the Trust and Estate, and Trust and Estate - Litigation Sections of Best Lawyers® in America, in which her firm has also been recognized in U.S. News & World Report for the most top tier ratings of all firms in the State of Nevada. Michaelle received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona. She served as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. for Nevada Congressman, Barbara Vucanovich. Thereafter, she attended the University of the Pacific (McGeorge) School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate with the school’s highest academic honor of graduation with "Great Distinction," along various additional awards for academic and advocacy. Representing the legal interests of numerous public and private Foundations and charities, Michaelle has a personal interest in promoting and supporting educational and charitable entities within the community. In addition to serving as legal counsel for various entities, Michaelle has and continues to serve as a member, and often executive officer, of various non profit and charitable boards for the benefit of organizations such as The University of Nevada Reno Foundation, The Nevada Women’s Fund; Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, South Reno Babe Ruth; and Washoe Little League. Michaelle is a fourth generation native Nevadan where she resides with her husband, Thomas E. Rafferty, CPA and her children.
About Probate Law
Probate attorneys guide families through the estate administration process after a loved one passes. They handle court filings, asset distribution, and dispute resolution. Common matters include estate administration, will contests, heir disputes, trust administration.
Credentials
Education
1993 McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific JD - Juris Doctor 1989 University of Arizona BS - Bachelor of Science
Languages
English
Recognition & Involvement
Awards
2016 Trust & Estate Litigation, Best Lawyers in America 2016 Trust & Estates, Best Lawyers in America 2016 Nevada Legal Elite, Nevada Business Journal 2015 Best Lawyer, Trust & Estate, Trust & Estate Litigation, Best Lawyers in America 2014 Best Layer - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers in America
Publications
N/A Pacific Law Journal Graduates, Will We Stand and Join in Prayer?
Associations
2016 - Present American College of Trust and Estate Counsel ACTEC Fellow 2014 - Present Nevada Bar - Probate & Trust Section Executive Committee Member 2009 - Present Nevada Supreme Court Appointed Bench-Bar Committee Member 2007 - Present Nevada State Bar - Probate and Trust Section Legislative Committee 2007 - Present Probate Bar Association of Washoe Count Executive Officer
Speaking
2015 Estate Planning for Women Estate Planning 2015 Estate Planning Council of Northern Nevada Fiduciary Accounting In light of Changes to Nevada Law under SB 484 2015 Ely Family Law Conference Ten Things Family Law Lawyers Need to Know About Trusts and Estates 2014 Probate Bar Association Lunch Difficult Clients - To Represent or Not (Ethics) 2014 Planned Giving Conference Fostering Charitable Planning in a Post ATRA Income Tax Era
Other Probate Attorneys in Reno, NV
Updated: May 29, 2026