We are pleased to announce that DAVID W. THAL has joined as a partner in our Stamford office.

Mr. Thal is a private wealth services attorney who focuses his practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable planning, family office services and tax matters.

Mr. Thal represents a diverse client base, but focuses his practice serving as counsel to ultra-high-net-worth families and their family offices, including hedge fund founders and the founders of multinational closely held businesses. He offers estate planning strategies customized to his clients' often complex circumstances. His recent representations include leading the estate settlement process for a large family office client and managing the day-to-day affairs for institutional-size domestic and international trust structures.

In addition, Mr. Thal develops family offices as well as advises clients with established family offices. He helps clients understand, execute and manage sophisticated estate planning, business succession and wealth transfer techniques to preserve family wealth through generations. He also advises clients on the successful implementation of a range of tax and estate planning techniques, including grantor retained annuity trusts (GRAT), installment sales, charitable lead annuity trusts, insurance trusts, dynasty trusts and private foundations tailored to specific client goals.

"David's focus on representing fund founders and company founders complements the substantial work we do with principals in private equity, venture and hedge funds, many of whom reside in or work in Fairfield County," said David Scott Sloan, co-leader of Holland & Knight's Private Wealth Services Group. "David will be instrumental in growing our presence in Stamford and the surrounding area."

Mr. Thal earned his L.L.M. degree in taxation from New York University School of Law, his J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law and his B.A. from Williams College.