Stacie Polashuk Nelson

Stacie Polashuk Nelson is a partner in Holland & Knight's San Francisco office and is a member of the firm's Private Wealth Services Group.

Trust and Estate Litigation and Dispute Resolution. Since 1998, Ms. Nelson has concentrated her practice on all aspects of disputed trust, estate and conservatorship matters. Her practice includes will and trust contests, accounting disputes, disputed conservatorships, breach of fiduciary duty matters and financial elder abuse matters. She is an experienced trial attorney, but is dedicated to finding the best resolution for the client, including strategizing with clients to avoid litigation, client counseling, mediation, settlement negotiations and/or trial.

Estate and Trust Administration. Ms. Nelson assists clients with contentious administrations of trusts and estates and advocates for and protects bequests made to individuals and charitable beneficiaries. With the goal of avoiding litigation, Ms. Nelson helps fiduciaries meet their duties and, if necessary, works with them to seek court approval to confirm their actions or receive instruction from the court.

Because financial institutions are under particular scrutiny in their service as fiduciaries, Ms. Nelson assists corporate fiduciaries during the administration to avoid litigation and ensure best practices are followed and in any disputed matters that may arise with beneficiaries.

Ms. Nelson’s clients also include individuals, families, charities/nonprofit organizations and private professional fiduciaries.

Clients often praise Ms. Nelson for her experience and skills, saying:

Stacie is super responsive and really knowledgeable. She is such a great relationship manager and does great legal work as well.

– Chambers High Net Worth 2024 guide

Ms. Nelson's experience includes some of the most sensitive and high-profile cases in her field. For example, she was admitted to appear pro hac vice in the New York County Surrogate's Court as a key member of the jury trial team propounding and defending the will of Huguette Clark, in the matter of The Estate of Huguette M. Clark, File No. 1995 - 1375A.

In addition, Ms. Nelson also devotes a portion of her practice to pro bono legal services. In addition to her pro bono legal work, Ms. Nelson is active in her community and local charitable organizations.

Reported Decisions

• Colvis v. Binswanger, 96 Cal. App. 5th 393 (2023)
• Estate of Dehgani-Fard, 141 Cal.App.4th 797 (2006)