Department profile
Holland & Knight LLP

Private Wealth Disputes

High Net Worth Guide 2025 : California


Holland & Knight LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight's California-based Private Wealth Disputes practice is called upon to settle complex trusts and estates disputes that involve some of the world's largest family fortunes, complex legal questions, and emotionally charged and dysfunctional family relationships that pose hurdles to resolutions and often force matters into the courts. We represent ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, trustees, guardians and other related parties in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, Latin America, Europe and Asia in all issues related to wealth. We also are aggressive in protecting the elderly from financial abuse and have much experience in recognizing situations where a caregiver or family member has exercised undue influence to enrich themselves.

Few of our competitors have this breadth of expertise and volume of experts available to deploy nationally and internationally. While much of the work of these practices is in planning, it is our capabilities to vigorously defend clients' interests in high stakes and contentious disputes that assures them that the intentions of their estates and planning will be carried out. Clients know that we have the expertise and litigation experience to enforce estate plans. You will find many capable estate planners in the U.S., but very few that have the resources to take matters through weeks-long trials and years-long protracted and multijurisdictional litigation. 

Industries (5)

  • Private clients
  • Trustees
  • Charitable organizations
  • Financial services
  • Professional Fiduciaries

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Private Wealth Disputes - California

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Holland & Knight's Los Angeles-based team benefits from its strong networks across the country and maintains a reputation as one of the leaders in the provision of sophisticated litigation services to high net worth clients.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Holland & Knight have excellent legal knowledge, experience and top-notch customer service, professionalism and reliability.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Holland & Knight's lawyers are problem solvers, especially when litigating against extremely unreasonable opposing counsel. The team is creative in seeking resolutions to settle difficult matters.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • The team at Holland & Knight consistently produce quality work, are collaborative and work very hard for their clients.

    Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Michael Karlin
    Band 1Michael Karlin

    Michael Karlin

    Michael Karlin advises clients on a range of cross-border tax and estate planning issues, including expatriation issues, establishing offshore trusts and closely-held business structuring matters.

    • Michael Karlin is particularly knowledgeable of the interplay between the US and UK systems.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Michael Karlin is a pleasure to work with. He has a great understanding of his clients' needs and how to assist them.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Michael is a national leader in his field.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Stacie Polashuk Nelson
    Band 1Stacie Polashuk Nelson

    Stacie Polashuk Nelson

    Stacie Nelson regularly represents clients in contested trusts, conservatorships and financial elder abuse disputes.

    • Stacie Nelson is super responsive and gives good legal advice.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • I appreciate Stacie's listening skills, as she is someone who you feel very comfortable with and can speak frankly with.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 1Vivian L. Thoreen
    Band 1Vivian L. Thoreen

    Vivian L. Thoreen

    Vivian Thoreen represents her clients in complex trust disputes involving high-value assets. She is head of Holland & Knight's private wealth litigation practice.

    • Vivian Thoreen is amazing. She is a thought leader in the space and a tenacious litigator.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Vivian Thoreen is an awesome attorney. She has integrity, is extremely smart and is great at what she does.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Vivian is a strong litigator with outstanding courtroom presence. She is also a confident, creative problem solver.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Cindy Brittain
    Band 3Cindy Brittain

    Cindy Brittain

    Cindy Brittain is an experienced private wealth lawyer who is particularly adept in advising on the interplay of tax regimes for international high net worth clients.

    • Cindy is a pleasure to work with and has a great depth of knowledge.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Cindy Brittain is very attuned to all the updates in the industry.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
  • Band 3Maria Soledad Otero
    Band 3Maria Soledad Otero

    Maria Soledad Otero

    Maria Soledad Otero is multilingual and has a Big Four international tax background. She frequently advises clients on cross-border tax and estate planning.

    • Maria is exceptionally intelligent and a true lateral thinker.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
    • Maria's language and cross-border skills make her invaluable to her firm and clients.

      Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth

Ranked Individuals at Holland & Knight LLP (5)

California

California: Southern

Members

Provided by Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight LLP has rankings in the following guides

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