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Mark S. Balian, ESQ., MBA, LL.M.
Managing Partner
Mark is the Founder and Managing Partner of Balian Law LLP.
His focus is in the fields of estate planning, estate administration, elder planning and Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, and estate litigation as well as business and commercial tax planning, litigation and transactions of commercial real estate, leases, acquisitions, mergers, dissolutions, and private business compliance and guidance. His sophisticated and diverse experience working with business and families and educational background enables Mark to assist his clients in multiple often interrelated areas of law while servicing with the care and attention to detail that they deserve, in particular, business succession planning.
Mark has negotiated and closed numerous complex business transactions and served as counsel to mid-sized businesses and public corporations in various industries and professions, often working with in-house counsel. His practice also includes succession planning for businesses, conservatorships and guardianships, and the representation of Executors, beneficiaries, corporations and business partners in litigation matters.
Mark’s experience prior to Balian Law LLP, includes serving as partner of Wells, Jaworski & Liebman, LLP, chairing the firm’s Tax, Trusts, and Estates Department, and sharing firm management responsibilities alongside Stuart Liebman. Throughout his career, Mark has consistently practiced in the areas of tax, trusts, and estates and business and commercial Law. In addition, he worked for a Bergen County forensic accounting firm engaged in forensic and legal investigative casework in the areas of estate and gift tax, shareholder dissent and oppression, divorce, and damage claims assisting in the mediation of high net worth divorce cases and master of discovery roles, trust accountings, valuation of private practices, lifestyle analyses, gift tax valuations, and operating and trust agreement analyses. Mark also served as law clerk to The Honorable Susan Peikes Gantman of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Mark is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ridgewood YMCA, also serving on the Finance Subcommittee. Mark is a member of the Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council, the Hudson-Bergen Inn of Transactional Counsel, Bergen County Bar Association, the 200 Club of Bergen County, an organization which supports local public servicemen and women, and a supporter of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police.
Mark is a cum laude graduate of Villanova University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in accounting with a concentration in the honors program in 2004. He graduated from the Villanova University School of Law and School of Business in 2007, receiving both his Juris Doctor and Master in Business Administration. After law school, Mr. Balian received his LL.M. (legal master’s degree) in Taxation from Villanova Law in addition to a certificate in estate planning – a proud career Villanovan!
Mark has litigated matters at the New Jersey Supreme Court and the Appellate Division level. He is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Mark is a Bergen County resident along with his wife, Adriana, and their three children Mark, Viviana, and Damian.
Business and Corporate Succession and Tax Planning
Tax, Trusts, and Estates
Estate and Business Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Leasing
Medicaid and Elder Law Planning
Guardianship/Conservatorship
Business Acquisition – Banking/Commercial Transactions/Lending
General Corporate/Business Counseling and Non Profit Law
B.S. in Accountancy, Villanova University, 2004
J.D., Villanova University, School of Law, 2007
MBA, Villanova University, School of Business, 2007
LL.M. in Taxation, Villanova University, School of Law, 2010
Estate Planning Certification, Villanova University, School of Law
New Jersey, 2008
Pennsylvania, 2008
Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council
Hudson-Bergen Inn of Transactional Counsel
200 Club of Bergen County
Bergen County Bar Association
American Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association
Ridgewood YMCA, Board of Directors (2018-2025)
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2017
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2018
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2019
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2024
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Meet the Balian Law Team
Mark S. Balian
Ryan J. Byrnes
Associate Attorney
Adriana Balian
Tiffany Colombini
Georgeann Summers
Sarah Vokes
Maria Witte
Lorraine Gaudreau
Mark is the Founder and Managing Partner of Balian Law LLP.
His focus is in the fields of estate planning, estate administration, elder planning and Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, and estate litigation as well as business and commercial tax planning, litigation and transactions of commercial real estate, leases, acquisitions, mergers, dissolutions, and private business compliance and guidance. His sophisticated and diverse experience working with business and families and educational background enables Mark to assist his clients in multiple often interrelated areas of law while servicing with the care and attention to detail that they deserve, in particular, business succession planning.
Mark has negotiated and closed numerous complex business transactions and served as counsel to mid-sized businesses and public corporations in various industries and professions, often working with in-house counsel. His practice also includes succession planning for businesses, conservatorships and guardianships, and the representation of Executors, beneficiaries, corporations and business partners in litigation matters.
Mark’s experience prior to Balian Law LLP, includes serving as partner of Wells, Jaworski & Liebman, LLP, chairing the firm’s Tax, Trusts, and Estates Department, and sharing firm management responsibilities alongside Stuart Liebman. Throughout his career, Mark has consistently practiced in the areas of tax, trusts, and estates and business and commercial Law. In addition, he worked for a Bergen County forensic accounting firm engaged in forensic and legal investigative casework in the areas of estate and gift tax, shareholder dissent and oppression, divorce, and damage claims assisting in the mediation of high net worth divorce cases and master of discovery roles, trust accountings, valuation of private practices, lifestyle analyses, gift tax valuations, and operating and trust agreement analyses. Mark also served as law clerk to The Honorable Susan Peikes Gantman of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Mark is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ridgewood YMCA, also serving on the Finance Subcommittee. Mark is a member of the Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council, the Hudson-Bergen Inn of Transactional Counsel, Bergen County Bar Association, the 200 Club of Bergen County, an organization which supports local public servicemen and women, and a supporter of the Newark Fraternal Order of Police.
Mark is a cum laude graduate of Villanova University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in accounting with a concentration in the honors program in 2004. He graduated from the Villanova University School of Law and School of Business in 2007, receiving both his Juris Doctor and Master in Business Administration. After law school, Mr. Balian received his LL.M. (legal master’s degree) in Taxation from Villanova Law in addition to a certificate in estate planning – a proud career Villanovan!
Mark has litigated matters at the New Jersey Supreme Court and the Appellate Division level. He is licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Mark is a Bergen County resident along with his wife, Adriana, and their three children Mark, Viviana, and Damian.
Business and Corporate Succession and Tax Planning
Tax, Trusts, and Estates
Estate and Business Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Leasing
Medicaid and Elder Law Planning
Guardianship/Conservatorship
Business Acquisition – Banking/Commercial Transactions/Lending
General Corporate/Business Counseling and Non Profit Law
B.S. in Accountancy, Villanova University, 2004
J.D., Villanova University, School of Law, 2007
MBA, Villanova University, School of Business, 2007
LL.M. in Taxation, Villanova University, School of Law, 2010
Estate Planning Certification, Villanova University, School of Law
New Jersey, 2008
Pennsylvania, 2008
Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council
Hudson-Bergen Inn of Transactional Counsel
200 Club of Bergen County
Bergen County Bar Association
American Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association
Ridgewood YMCA, Board of Directors (2018-2025)
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2017
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2018
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2019
Bergen County’s Top Lawyers 2024
Adriana Balian is a skilled operations and customer service leader with over 15 years of experience in logistics management, international compliance, and client relations across the technology, manufacturing, and utility sectors. Most recently serving as Customer Service Manager at Teledyne LeCroy, she led the U.S.-based service team, oversaw sales order fulfillment, and managed contract execution, NDAs, and international shipping carnets in close coordination with the executive team.
Previously, Adriana held key management roles at Kulite Semiconductor, A.T. Cross, and National Grid, where she developed deep expertise in department management, client engagement, export documentation, U.S. customs compliance, and supply chain coordination. Known for her attention to detail and cross-functional communication, she has consistently improved operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction.
In addition to her corporate experience, Adriana has successfully managed residential and commercial real estate operations, including long-term leasing and vacation rental administration. Her strengths lie in organization, client communication, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
Fluent in Spanish and holding a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing from Rhode Island College, Adriana thrives in fast-paced, global environments where precision, leadership, and teamwork are essential to success.
At Balian Law, Adriana serves as Office Administrator, where she now implements the management and collaborative skills she has experienced over her career to her husband’s practice. Her focus on organization, service, and professionalism is now dedicated to firm operations and ensuring clients receive the highest standard of care.
Outside of work, Adriana is a proud wife and devoted mom to three amazing children—Mark A., Viviana, and Damian—who inspire her every day.
B.S. in Internation Management, Rhode Island College, 2010
B.S. in Marketing, Rhode Island College, 2010
With over 20 years of experience, Tiffany Colombini is a highly skilled and trusted paralegal who provides essential support to attorneys across a broad range of practice areas, including civil litigation, real estate, general corporate, and bankruptcy law. A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s ABA-approved paralegal program, Tiffany combines academic excellence with decades of hands-on legal experience.
A dependable resource to both attorneys and clients, Tiffany plays a critical role in helping the firm deliver high-quality legal services with professionalism and care.
ABA-Approved | Fairleigh Dickinson University
With more than 35 years of dedicated legal experience, Georgeann “Georgie” Summers is a cornerstone of our Tax, Trusts & Estates and Litigation Departments. She provides indispensable support on every aspect of estate work from crafting and administering sophisticated estate plans and coordinating trust funding to preparing federal and state estate and fiduciary tax filings and guiding clients through Surrogate’s Court probate and trust administration.
In the litigation arena, Georgie expertly handles will contests, fiduciary disputes, and contested accountings, overseeing e‑filing, document organization, deposition preparation, and trial logistics. Renowned for her meticulous attention to detail and compassionate client care, she collaborates seamlessly with attorneys, clients, financial advisors, and accountants to ensure each matter is managed with precision, discretion, and a steadfast focus on client‑centered results.
Ryan J. Byrnes is a Partner and Chair of the Tax, Trusts & Estates Department at Balian Law LLP, where he leads a multidisciplinary team advising high net worth individuals and families on all facets of estate planning including preparation of wills and trusts, crafting advanced tax-minimization strategies, and implementing asset-protection techniques tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. Ryan collaborates closely with clients’ financial advisors, accountants, and other trusted professionals to translate personal objectives into creative, practical solutions that preserve and transfer wealth efficiently.
On the corporate side, Ryan negotiates and prepares asset purchase and sale agreements, shareholder and partnership agreements, and executive compensation plans that align with clients’ long-term goals, integrating estate-planning strategies into business succession and liquidity events to preserve wealth for future generations. Ryan also advises and prepares entity formation and corporate governance documents, helping business owners choose the appropriate structure to maximize liability protection and tax efficiency.
Drawing on extensive experience in New York and New Jersey Courts, Ryan counsels clients on probate and trust-administration matters helping them avoid common pitfalls that can lead to costly litigation. When disputes do arise, he represents beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and trustees in both contested and uncontested proceedings—handling will construction, accounting actions, estate-asset recovery, and related trust-litigation.
Prior to joining Balian Law, LLP, Ryan practiced in the Trusts & Estates groups of firms in Paramus, Westchester County, and New York City. Ryan holds a J.D. from New England Law | Boston—where he earned Public Service Honor Roll recognition for pro bono work with the New England Innocence Project—and a B.A. in Sociology (minor in Arabic Studies) from McDaniel College.
Outside the office, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family at the Jersey Shore and Candlewood Lake, as well as golfing, snowboarding, and traveling.
Tax, Trusts, and Estates
Estate and Business Litigation
Guardianship/Conservatorship
Medicaid and Elder Law Planning
General Corporate/Business Counseling
Business and Corporate Succession Tax Planning
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2015
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 2018
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 2018
J.D., New England Law | Boston, 2015
B.A., McDaniel College, 2012
New Jersey, 2015
New York, 2016
Co-Chair of the Bergen County Bar Association – Estate Planning and Administration Committee
Co-Chair of the Bergen County Bar Association – Probate litigation and Guardianship Committee
Co-Chair of the Bergen County Bar Association – Golf and Tennis Outing Committee
New York State Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section
As the Client Relations Administrator at Balian Law, Lorraine Gaudreau brings more than two decades of experience in client service, sales strategy, and operational coordination across luxury retail, hospitality, design consulting, medical services, and corporate administration.
Lorraine’s career is defined by her ability to build strong relationships and create seamless experiences from first contact through resolution. She has held leadership and client-facing roles at organizations such as The Shade Store, California Closets, Abigail Kirsch Culinary, Crystal Springs Resort, and the Thayer Hotel. Her background includes sales management, design consulting, event coordination, contract negotiation, and executive support.
Her warm communication style, professionalism, and deep understanding of client needs allow her to serve as a trusted point of contact for individuals seeking legal guidance.
At Balian Law, Lorraine ensures that every client receives attentive, compassionate, and efficient support. She plays a key role in client experience, communication, and intake, helping the firm maintain its commitment to exceptional service.
Maria Witte serves as the Executive Legal Assistant at Balian Law, bringing more than five years of combined legal experience from both the United States and Brazil. Bilingual in English and Portuguese, Maria is known for her professionalism, attention to detail, and her ability to thoughtfully manage demanding workloads while supporting both clients and attorneys.
Maria began her legal career in Recife, Brazil, where she progressed from an intern to a litigation attorney. In this role, she gained hands-on experience drafting legal documents, negotiating settlements, preparing for depositions, and appearing in court. After relocating to the United States, she continued to grow professionally, ultimately returning to the legal field as a Legal Assistant in New York.
Her expertise includes NJ/NY e-filing, legal research, drafting correspondence, managing attorney calendars, and maintaining clear and responsive communication with courts and clients.
Maria is especially valued for her approachable and compassionate demeanor, ensuring that clients feel supported and informed throughout their interactions with the firm. At Balian Law, she supports attorneys and leadership with exceptional organization, discretion, and a client-focused mindset. Her international background and strong administrative capabilities make her an integral part of the firm’s daily operations.
With more than 15 years of experience in the legal field, Sarah Vokes brings both deep knowledge and a thoughtful, compassionate approach to her role as a Paralegal at Balian Law. Her background includes trust and estate litigation, estate administration, contested guardianship matters, and a broad range of civil litigation.
Prior to joining Balian Law, Sarah spent over a decade serving as a Paralegal and Office Manager, where she played an integral role in guiding complex matters from inception through resolution. She is highly skilled in drafting pleadings, motions, discovery responses, probate filings, and surrogate court submissions.
Sarah is especially recognized for her empathy and ability to support clients during some of the most challenging moments in their lives. She approaches each matter with patience, care, and attention to detail, ensuring that clients feel informed, supported, and respected throughout the legal process. Her strong organizational skills and steady presence help cases move forward efficiently while maintaining a client-centered focus.
At Balian Law, Sarah combines her extensive experience with a genuine commitment to helping others, supporting the firm’s mission of providing exceptional service to clients navigating sensitive and complex legal matters.
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