David W. Thal
Partner
Overview
David Thal counsels ultra-high-net-worth families on estate planning, wealth transfer and family office matters with an approach clients describe as diligent, practical and methodical. Recognized in Chambers High Net Worth Band 1, he helps families understand and manage sophisticated planning techniques designed to preserve wealth through generations. Based in Stamford and New York, he is a member of Holland & Knight's Private Wealth Services Group and advises on estate and trust administration, charitable planning and family office services.
Family offices are a central part of his practice. David helps clients establish new family offices and advises those with established offices, collaborating closely with teams of advisers and family office professionals to serve his clients' best interests. His recent representations include leading the estate settlement process for a large family office client and managing the day-to-day affairs of institutional-size domestic and international trust structures.
David develops estate planning strategies customized to his clients' often complex circumstances. He helps them understand, execute and manage sophisticated estate planning, business succession and wealth transfer techniques, including grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), installment sales, charitable lead annuity trusts, insurance trusts, dynasty trusts and private foundations tailored to specific goals.
Clients value the care and practicality he brings to this work. In the Chambers High Net Worth 2026 guide, clients described David as "an excellent all-around adviser" and noted his ability to "handle very complicated transactions as well as routine estate planning with equal skill. He combines deep technical expertise with practical judgement and a commercial mindset. He is highly responsive, collaborative, and always pleasant to deal with."
David teaches Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses on estate planning matters and has been published in Trusts & Estates magazine. Before joining Holland & Knight, he was a principal in the private clients group of a boutique private wealth law firm in Stamford. His blend of technical planning experience and responsive, methodical service helps families make confident decisions about wealth meant to last for generations.
Always very diligent, always on time and he is a pleasure to work with. … He has a very comprehensive knowledge and he is very practical too, which is a great combination. … He is responsive, practical and methodical.
– Chambers High Net Worth 2021 guide
Representative Experience
- Settled estate of a founder of multinational closely held business
- Represented fiduciaries in successful resolution of federal estate tax audit
- Coordinated divestiture of business holdings as outside general counsel - Advised a high-net-worth client to enhance estate planning benefits through income tax basis planning and completed a variety of estate freeze techniques
- Implemented restructure and domestication of offshore trusts
- Implemented an estate plan for co-founder of multifamily office, including advice with respect to carried interest planning
- Coordinated and supported family office operations during family office leadership transition
- Advised a family office client on fund formation and succession planning through family partnerships
- Advised clients on funding of private foundation, development and implementation of philanthropic mission and programs
- Significant experience resolving disputes between beneficiaries and trustees
Credentials
- New York University School of Law, LL.M., Tax
- University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D.
- Williams College, B.A., English
- Connecticut
- New York State Bar Association, Member, 2012-Present; Trusts and Estates Law Section, 2012-Present; Tax Section, 2019-Present
- Connecticut Bar Association, Estate and Probate Section, 2010-Present
- Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, Development & Topic Editor, 2009
- The Best Lawyers in America guide, Trusts and Estates, 2026, 2027
- Chambers High Net Worth guide, Private Wealth Law: Connecticut, 2021-2026
- Janet Spragens Low-Income Tax Clinic Pro Bono Award, University of Connecticut School of Law, 2009
