OUR TEAM
ANNA E. BYRNE, Esq.
FOUNDING ATTORNEY
Anna Eckert Byrne is the founder of Eckert Byrne LLC, a Cambridge-based estate planning and probate law firm, and Kendall Wealth LLC, an independent registered investment advisor. With over 30 years of experience, she combines legal and financial expertise to help clients navigate complex life transitions and preserve their legacies. Inspired by her experience as a young widow, she is passionate about helping families pass on not only assets, but also the values, wisdom, and legacy that matter most. She has committed the last thirteen years to creating a team that shares this vision.
Throughout her career, Anna has developed a reputation for helping families navigate some of life’s most significant transitions with clarity, compassion, and practical guidance. She works closely with clients to create thoughtful estate plans, guide families through trust and estate administration, and coordinate legal and financial strategies that support long-term family goals.
Recognized as one of Massachusetts’ leading trust and estates attorneys, Anna has been honored by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Super Lawyers, and Boston Magazine for her work in estate planning and wealth transition. Anna is also the author of A Widow’s Guide and The Inheritor’s Guide, books designed to help families navigate the emotional, legal, and financial challenges that follow the loss of a loved one.
Anna works with a limited number of families each year, primarily those navigating multigenerational wealth transitions. Through Eckert Byrne LLC and Kendall Wealth LLC, she brings estate planning, probate, and investment management together in a coordinated way so that legal and financial decisions stay aligned and families can move forward with clarity, structure, and continuity across generations.
NICOLE SIMON, Esq.
PARTNER
Nicole joined Eckert Byrne, LLC in 2022 and was named Partner in 2026. Nicole’s background working at a trust company and in estate administration and planning gives her the expertise and experience to guide clients in all areas related to estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Nicole offers a compassionate approach to estate planning and estate administration while assisting clients through the legal obstacles that arise and the crucial decisions that must be made.
In estate planning, Nicole prides herself on developing a strong relationship with her clients to make sure she fully understands their goals and provides support that will help attain those goals through a carefully crafted plan. By providing education to each client about the fiduciary roles and legal aspects she aims for each client to understand their estate plan and what it means for their beneficiaries and themselves. She develops a partnership with each client to work together so they understand the intricacies of the decisions they are making as well as the relevant laws and taxes. She believes it is crucial to review and update your estate plan to account for life’s changes.
In estate and trust administration, Nicole understands that grieving the loss of a loved one comes first. She oversees the administration and works to ensure the small details and deadlines are met, giving her client’s peace of mind and the time to process the emotional challenges that come with loss.
Nicole has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers for several consecutive years.
Nicole received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 2016 and her B.S. from Northeastern University in 2013.
GIANNA MCNALLY, Esq.
ATTORNEY
Gianna is a newly licensed trusts and estates attorney focused on providing practical legal guidance in estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She combines a detail-oriented approach with a compassionate understanding of each client’s needs, ensuring every client receives personalized and effective legal solutions. Gianna is committed to making the legal process approachable and understandable, helping clients feel informed and confident as they plan for the future or navigate the administration of a loved one’s estate. She has a particular interest in estate administration and enjoys guiding families through the legal and practical steps involved in settling an estate with clarity and compassion.
Gianna received her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in 2024 and her B.S. from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in 2021.
AUDREY GARDNER
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Audrey serves as Operations Manager at Eckert Byrne LLC and Client Services Manager at Kendall Wealth LLC, where she helps ensure both firms run smoothly and clients feel supported throughout every stage of the process. She focuses on creating efficient systems behind the scenes while also building strong, responsive relationships with clients and their families.
She works closely with clients to coordinate meetings, answer questions, and provide support related to initial consultations and design meetings, helping make each step of the estate planning process clear and well organized. Audrey has worked alongside Anna since 2014, supporting her vision and contributing to the development of the firms’ client service approach and internal operations. Her combination of organization, problem-solving, and client care makes her an integral part of both teams.
VICTORIA MANTIA
CLIENT SERVICES COORDINATOR
Victoria graduated from Merrimack College in 2024 with a double major in Criminology and Criminal Justice & Psychology. While working at Eckert Byrne as the client coordinator, she is also getting her master’s degree at UMass Lowell in Security Studies. She is passionate about helping others while continuing to learn and grow professionally in this field. She enjoys spending time with my friends and family, shopping and traveling outside of school and work.
KRISHNA PATEL
LAW CLERK
Krishna earned her B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Georgia, where she also minored in Law and Computer Science. Before joining Eckert Byrne, she worked in legal research, nonprofit advocacy, and client‑service roles that strengthened her interest in pursuing a legal career. At the firm, she supports attorneys with estate‑planning documents, client intake, and case organization, and she values clarity and compassion in every client interaction.
“I felt valued as an individual. I was given the support I needed to help enable me to make very important decisions for myself and my family. My experience with Kristin was a positive one. She was thorough, patient & very knowledgable. ”
“Anna is such a caring and compassionate person. I did not feel intimidated or nervous. She made me feel so comfortable. It was a pleasure doing business with her. The firm is wonderful and her team is great!”