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David C. Nelson

(he/him)

Co-Chair, Trust & Estate Litigation

David Nelson Photo

d'ensemble

David Nelson is co-chair of Loeb & Loeb’s Trust and Estate Litigation Practice. Previously, he served as chair of the firm’s Los Angeles Trusts and Estates Practice. He concentrates on trust, probate and conservatorship litigation including: litigation and disputes involving trusts, decedents’ estates and conservatorships; will and trust contests; breach of fiduciary duty claims; and interpretation of testamentary instruments. David also has an appellate practice. His principal clients are banks, trust companies and other fiduciaries, as well as trust and estate beneficiaries.

He is definitely the best lawyer I have ever worked with," enthuses a client source, who explains: "He really listens to your particular situation and evaluates with feedback on what is appropriate for you." One peer admits: "He is the smartest of all of us; he has a very interesting brain, and often sees issues that are very difficult to see." Chambers 2019 client commentary 

David is a member and past chair of the Trusts and Estates Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is also founding editor of the Section’s online publication, Trusts and Estates Bulletin, and has lectured and written on a variety of probate, trust and fiduciary litigation topics.

David has been consistently recognized as a leader within his field by major legal directories, including The Best Lawyers in America, Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell.

  • No-Contest Clauses: What Does the Future Hold?
    Speaker
  • Taking Charge of the New Notice Rules
    Speaker
  • The Impact of Moeller v. Superior Court on a Trustee's Attorney-Client Privilege
    Speaker
  • Issues Facing a Corporate Fiduciary in Administering a Family Corporation
    Speaker

Éducation

  • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D.
  • Pacific Union College, B.S.

Admission au tribunal

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Admission au barreau

  • California

Reconnaissance

  • Named in Chambers High Net Worth Guide in California, Private Wealth Disputes (2018-2024)
  • Named "Best Lawyer" in Trust and Estate Litigation (2009-2025) and Trusts & Estates (2025), The Best Lawyers in America, published by Woodward White, Inc. 
  • Named "Southern California Super Lawyer" in Trust & Estate Litigation and Appellate by Thomson Reuters (2005-2024)
  • Highest "AV Preeminent (5 out of 5)" Professional Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
  • Recipient, Pro Bono Publico Awards, The Legal Aid Society (2022)

Affiliations

  • Past Chair, Trusts and Estates Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association (2007-2008)
  • Founding Editor and Former Co-Editor, Trusts and Estates Bulletin, Trusts and Estates Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Member, Trusts and Estates Section, California State Bar Association
  • Member, Litigation Section, California State Bar Association