Nicholas Van Brunt focuses his practice on resolving disputes over trusts, estates, conservatorships and other fiduciary matters. He is co-leader of the Private Wealth Services team.
Whether in the courtroom or at mediation, Nicholas advocates passionately and effectively for his clients and counsels them compassionately but credibly—skills that enable him to consistently achieve favorable outcomes. His clients include individuals, non-profit organizations, corporate entities, private professional fiduciaries and family offices.
Known as a skilled negotiator, strategic advisor and trial counsel, Nicholas advises on a full range of estate- and trust-related disputes, including:
- Will and trust contests alleging lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud or improper execution
- Fiduciary litigation, including claims of breach of fiduciary duty by trustees, executors or agents
- Trustee accounting matters
- Conservatorship proceedings, including contested appointments and allegations of elder abuse or financial exploitation
- Cases involving the intersection between probate law and other legal issues
- Litigation prevention and negotiated solutions
A calming influence even in the middle of high-stakes disputes, Nicholas has developed an impressive roster of clients who value his discretion, effectiveness and solutions-oriented approach.
Outside the office, Nicholas enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage children, rooting for underdog sports teams (most notably, the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Mets), reading many books and attending his book club, and occasionally commandeering the karaoke microphone, reliving his years of playing with various bands on the Sunset Strip as a teenager.
