Ashley V. Hart

Ashley Hart is a private wealth services attorney in Holland & Knight's Boston office who represents trustees, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, family-owned businesses and high-net-worth individuals in complex trust, estate and probate disputes. She focuses her practice on probate and fiduciary litigation, helping clients navigate sensitive and high-stakes matters involving wealth transfer, family dynamics and fiduciary responsibilities.

Ms. Hart handles a broad range of trust and estate controversies, including breach of fiduciary duty claims, trustee and fiduciary removal actions, contested accountings, trust and will contests, inheritance interference claims and disputes involving allegations of undue influence, lack of capacity and fraud. She also represents clients in disputes involving trust and estate assets and other complex probate matters. Ms. Hart understands that trust and estate disputes often involve personal family conflicts and significant financial interests, and she works closely with clients to develop practical strategies that protect their objectives while minimizing unnecessary conflict whenever possible. Clients value her thoughtful, strategic approach to resolving family and fiduciary disputes while preserving relationships, protecting wealth and advancing long-term goals.

Additionally, as a seasoned litigator, Ms. Hart guides clients through all phases of the dispute resolution process, from pre-suit negotiations and mediation through trial and appeal. Her broader litigation experience includes employment disputes, contract litigation, toxic tort matters and regulatory investigations. She has represented clients operating in highly regulated industries – including pharmacy benefit managers, specialty pharmacies and pharmaceutical manufacturers – and has advised clients facing sensitive internal and government investigations.

In addition to her litigation practice, Ms. Hart advises colleges, universities and other educational institutions on a broad range of risk management and compliance matters, with a particular focus on collegiate athletics. Her experience includes counseling clients on matters involving Title IX, Title VI, disability accommodations, student protests and freedom of expression issues. She also assists educational institutions with the development, review and implementation of policies and procedures, including student and employee handbooks, codes of conduct, confidentiality agreements and liability waivers.

Ms. Hart is deeply committed to pro bono service and community advocacy. Her pro bono work includes representing veterans in housing matters, advocating for immigrants' rights, protecting the privacy rights of sexual assault survivors and supporting prisoner-rights initiatives. Most recently, she achieved a favorable result in a mediation involving multiple employment discrimination claims on behalf of an international nonprofit organization.

Beyond her client work, Ms. Hart serves as national co-chair of Holland & Knight's DiverseAbility Affinity Group, where she champions the professional development, inclusion and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In addition, she serves on the advisory board for the Massachusetts and Rhode Island chapter of Best Buddies International, a global nonprofit that helps create opportunities and connections for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Hart was a summer associate in the firm's Boston office. During law school, she served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Juan R. Torruella of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and interned in the Defensive Litigation Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. She also served as an articles editor of the Suffolk University Law Review.