Our Attorneys
Our firm employs highly qualified attorneys whose education and professional experience demonstrate the ability and willingness to quickly assume responsibility for client matters and to provide the high quality of timely service which our clients have come to expect.
Bill is the senior partner of Herndon, Morton, Herndon & Yaeger where he began practicing in 1975 with founding partners, the late Richard G. Herndon and Judith A. Herndon. He has extensive experience in estate and gift planning, tax matters, trust administration, mergers and acquisitions, investment and financial matters, corporate and commercial transactions and has advised large and small businesses, professionals and other individuals in many areas that impact their business, life and families.
On behalf of his clients, Bill has negotiated and executed purchases and sales of multi-million dollar businesses and has been a longstanding and trusted advisor to large non-profit and for-profit organizations. Medical, legal, accounting and other professionals have sought Bill’s advice in estate planning, forming and growing their practices and dissolution.
Bill provides counsel on corporate and individual tax matters, strategic legal counsel to public and private businesses and advises clients in day-to-day corporate governance and compliance issues. He has experience in a wide range of issues bearing on business succession planning, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, taxes, corporate matters and oil and gas leasing.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, United States Tax Court and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Education
- 1976 J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
- 1972 B.S., Accounting, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association, President 2011-2012
- Estate Planning Council of the Upper Ohio Valley, Co-Founder
William J. Yaeger Jr.
Rob joined the firm directly upon graduation from law school and became a partner of Herndon, Morton, Herndon & Yaeger in 1995. He practices primarily in the areas of tax matters, estate, gift and retirement planning, trust administration, qualified retirement plans, and tax exempt organizations. Rob represents large and small businesses, charitable organizations, professionals and other individuals.
On behalf of his clients, Rob has successfully resolved complicated tax matters with the Internal Revenue Service, including qualification matters concerning employer-sponsored retirement plans and individual retirement accounts. Rob has drafted various types of individually designed employee retirement plans for employers, including church plans and employer stock ownership plans, and has advised local bank trust departments with respect to their prototype employee retirement plans.
Rob represents individual and corporate fiduciaries in the administration of decedent estates and trusts, provides counsel on business and individual tax matters, and has experience in matters ranging from tax and retirement planning, qualified retirement plans, trusts, estates, business entity planning and charitable family foundations.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, United States Tax Court and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Education
- 1990 J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- 1987 B.A., Political Science, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia State Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association, Past-President and Treasurer
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Estate Planning Council of the Upper Ohio Valley, Past-President
- Tri-State Tax Institute, Past-Chairman and Director
Civic & Charitable Affiliations
- West Virginia Northern Community College Foundation
- Faith in Action Caregivers, Inc.
- St. Michael Parish, Wheeling, West Virginia
Robert J. Krall
Holly has spent her entire legal career at Herndon, Morton, Herndon & Yaeger where she became partner in 1999. Her practice is focused on a wide range of corporate and commercial litigation with a focus in banking and financial services, media and communications, employment from the employer’s perspective, and creditors’ rights in bankruptcy matters. Holly represents large and small businesses in the banking, publishing, broadcasting, real estate development, energy and health care fields and in numerous service industries.
On behalf of her clients, Holly has both pursued and defended numerous lawsuits and other claims and has appeared in state and federal courts, and before administrative tribunals, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other state and federal agencies. She provides counsel to clients on the day-to-day operation of their businesses including contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, and employment issues.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Education
- 1994 J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- 1991 B.S., Business Administration, Duquesne University
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association (Executive Committee)
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Former Member of West Virginia Judicial Hearing Board
- Member of the West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board
- Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
Holly S. Planinsic
Ben joined Herndon & Yaeger immediately following law school and became a partner in 2015. With more than 15 years of experience, he advises individuals, families, business owners and fiduciaries on estate planning, trust administration, business succession planning, and tax strategy.
His practice focuses on the design and implementation of comprehensive estate plans intended to preserve generational wealth, minimize transfer taxes, and provide clients and their families with clarity and control over the disposition of their assets. He also represents executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in estate and trust administration matters.
In addition to his estate planning practice, Ben advises clients on business tax planning and transactional matters, including entity formation, restructuring, contract negotiation, and ownership transition across a range of industries. He works closely with business owners to develop succession plans that promote continuity, liquidity, and long-term tax efficiency.
Ben provides thoughtful, practical counsel tailored to each client’s personal, financial, and business objectives. He regularly collaborates with financial advisors, accountants, and investment professionals to develop coordinated planning strategies aligned with each client’s long-term goals.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, and the United States Tax Court.
Education
- 2010 J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- 2007 B.S., West Virginia University
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- West Virginia State Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association, Treasurer (2011 – 2012)
Benjamin M. Cox
Chad joined Herndon, Morton, Herndon & Yaeger in May 2014. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in private practice in St. Marys, West Virginia, where he also served as fiduciary commissioner. Chad additionally spent more than two years as an attorney for a Fortune 500 natural gas company, focusing on title issues, land acquisitions, and due diligence projects.
Chad concentrates his practice on oil and gas leasing and title issues, Medicaid planning, estate and trust planning, tax matters, real estate transactions, and business formations and transactions. He represents individuals and businesses with practical, detail-oriented legal counsel tailored to their specific needs.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia and Ohio and the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.
Education
- 2009 J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
- 2006 B.A., Bethany College
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- West Virginia State Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association
Chad J. Shepherd
Jacquelyn joined the firm in May 2016 after earning her Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law. She maintains a diverse practice focused on business law, real estate, oil and gas matters, estate planning, and civil litigation.
Jacquelyn advises businesses and individuals on a range of transactional matters, including business formation, contract negotiation and drafting, real property issues, and health care-related matters. She also represents clients in litigation and dispute resolution, handling matters involving real estate, collections, commercial transactions, employment issues, and bankruptcy-related disputes.
In addition, a portion of Jacquelyn’s practice focuses on the oil and gas industry. She assists mineral owners and landowners with ownership transfers, lease negotiations, asset sales, title disputes, and other issues affecting property owners.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia and Ohio and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia.
Education
- 2016 J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
- 2008 B.S., West Virginia University
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia State Bar
- Ohio County Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
Jacquelyn J. Schultz
Julia joined Herndon, Morton, Herndon & Yaeger immediately upon graduation from law school in May 2022. She handles a wide range of legal matters, primarily focusing on estate planning and estate administration, tax-exempt organizations, business formation, and taxation.
Julia works closely with individuals, families, and businesses to provide practical legal guidance tailored to their long-term planning and organizational needs. Her work includes assisting clients with entity formation, compliance matters, and navigating complex estate and tax-related issues.
Professional & Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in West Virginia and the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Education
- 2022 J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
- 2019 B.A., Sociology, University of Pittsburgh
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia State Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association
