
Private Wealth Disputes
High Net Worth Guide 2025 : California
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Holland & Knight have excellent legal knowledge, experience and top-notch customer service, professionalism and reliability.
Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net WorthHolland & 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 WorthThe 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 1 
Band 1 
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 WorthMichael 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 WorthMichael is a national leader in his field.
Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
Band 1 
Band 1 
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 WorthI 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 1 
Band 1 
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 WorthVivian Thoreen is an awesome attorney. She has integrity, is extremely smart and is great at what she does.
Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net WorthVivian is a strong litigator with outstanding courtroom presence. She is also a confident, creative problem solver.
Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
Band 3 
Band 3 
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 WorthCindy Brittain is very attuned to all the updates in the industry.
Private Wealth Disputes respondentHigh Net Worth
Band 3 
Band 3 
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 WorthMaria'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)
Members
Provided by Holland & Knight LLP

Lindsey Kernan

Jonathan Park


Lydia Lockett

Cindy Brittain
View profile of Cindy Brittain
Maria Soledad Otero
View profile of Maria Soledad Otero
Stacie Polashuk Nelson
View profile of Stacie Polashuk Nelson
Michael Karlin
View profile of Michael Karlin
Holland & Knight LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 High Net Worth 2025
Practice area: Private Wealth Law
Location: Massachusetts
View department profile for High Net Worth 2025Band 1 High Net Worth 2025
Practice area: Private Wealth Law
Location: Florida
View department profile for High Net Worth 2025Band 1 High Net Worth 2025
Practice area: Private Wealth Law
Location: Oregon
View department profile for High Net Worth 2025Band 1 High Net Worth 2025
Practice area: Private Wealth Law
Location: Tennessee
View department profile for High Net Worth 2025Band 2 High Net Worth 2025
Practice area: Private Wealth Law
Location: Texas
View department profile for High Net Worth 2025Band 2 High Net Worth 2025
Practice area: Private Wealth Law
Location: USA - Nationwide
View department profile for High Net Worth 2025
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.