Michael R. Donovan is the founding principal attorney of Pinnacle Law Chamber. With over two decades of experience, Michael brings unparalleled expertise in complex estate administration, both testate and intestate, as well as high-stakes criminal defense. His practice extends to cross-border estates, representing foreign nationals with U.S. assets and U.S. citizens with international holdings. Michael is widely recognized for his strategic guidance on probate nuances including deed of variation and will trusts. He has been trusted by high-profile individuals, including entrepreneurs and entertainment industry leaders, to navigate sensitive legal matters with discretion and clarity.
Michael’s criminal defense practice focuses on white-collar crime, corporate investigations, and regulatory enforcement. He has successfully represented clients before federal and state courts, including matters involving the SEC, DOJ, and state attorney general offices. Known for his assertive yet pragmatic approach, Michael frequently advises international banks, real estate developers, Fortune 500 retail corporations, and high-net-worth families.
A ranked attorney in The Legal 500 (2024-2025 editions), Michael earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. Before founding Pinnacle Law Chamber, he served as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. He is admitted to practice in New York, California, and the District of Columbia.
Sarah J. Bennett serves as Managing Partner of Pinnacle Law Chamber and leads the Private Client & Estate Administration practice. Sarah specializes in probate and trust administration, guiding families through the often emotional and complex process of settling estates. Her experience spans both testate and intestate matters, with a particular focus on blended families, special needs trusts, and high-net-worth succession planning. Sarah has deep expertise in cross-border estates, routinely advising foreign nationals with U.S. real estate and investments, as well as American expatriates with international assets.
Known for her compassionate yet highly organized approach, Sarah is a frequent speaker on probate efficiency and will variations. She has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Estate Planning & Probate (2022-2025). Her notable matters include the administration of several multi-million dollar estates involving contested wills and complex trust structures. Sarah also advises creative professionals — from recording artists to authors — on legacy planning and intellectual property transfers within estate plans.
Sarah earned her J.D. from Boston College Law School and her B.S. in Finance from the University of Florida. She is admitted to the Florida and New York Bars, and is a member of the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section of the ABA. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Sarah practiced at a boutique trusts and estates firm in Miami. She joined the firm in 2018 and became Managing Partner in 2023.
David K. Chen is a Partner at Pinnacle Law Chamber and the head of the Employment, Pensions & Immigration practice group. With over fifteen years of experience, David advises multinational corporations, startups, and executives on all facets of employment law, including discrimination claims, wage-and-hour compliance, non-compete agreements, and reductions in force. He is particularly sought after for his strategic counsel during corporate mergers and acquisitions, ensuring seamless workforce transitions and compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act and state analogs.
David’s immigration practice covers both business and family-based immigration, including EB-1 extraordinary ability petitions, PERM labor certifications, H-1B visas, L-1 intracompany transfers, and investor visas (EB-5). He represents global tech firms, healthcare systems, and research institutions, and has successfully obtained green cards for hundreds of professionals and executives. David also handles complex removal defense cases and waivers of inadmissibility.
Recognized as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 (2023-2024) and a “Best Lawyer in America” for Immigration Law (2024), David earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law and his B.A. from UCLA. He previously served as a law clerk for the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. David is fluent in Mandarin and is admitted to practice in California and New York. He regularly contributes to HR publications and conducts workplace training seminars on I-9 compliance and anti-harassment policies.