Overview
Nina B. Stillman is a veteran Family Office, Business and Domestic and International Estate Planning attorney with over 30 years of experience and an earned reputation for being an expert in her field. She serves as an expert in legal advice in the unique arena of Family Offices for ultra high net worth families and provides estate planning, tax advice and business strategies in line with the client’s planning goals. Nina brings the full force of her experience to safeguard her clients and secure their peace of mind.
Nina’s legal analysis is second to none. It’s one of her greatest differentiators. Like most attorneys, Nina has an understanding of the the interaction of estate planning, business law and estate tax, corporate and partnership tax tools to keep her clients wealth in the family and directed to charities.
Unlike most, her experience as an undefeated Expert Witness in estate planning legal malpractice cases, being called upon to analyze, testify, and render an opinion, has made her uniquely skilled at deploying those tools in the most ethical, most effective manner. As a result, approximately 20% of her business is spotting and correcting the mistakes other attorneys make.
Another distinguishing characteristic is the depth of her understanding of the often profoundly intertwined relationship between an individual’s personal life and professional life. Nina believes they’re seldom separate concerns for business owning families.
Education
- Northwester Pritzker School of Law LL.M in Taxation ( Wealth Transfer and Legacy Planning Certificate earned )
- William Mitchell School of Law
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
Admissions
- State Bar of Illinois
- State Bar of Minnesota
Awards & Recognitions
- Accredited Estate Planner Recognition – National Estate Planning Counsel
- 2025 and 2026 – Leading Lawyer
- Finalist for The Top Women Leaders in Law 2023
Professional Affiliations
- Chicago Bar Association – Family Office Committee Member
- Ultra-High Net Worth Institute – Family Office Advisory Group Member
- Chicago Estate Planning Counsel – Member
- Provisors Networking Group – Member
- Illinois Bar Association Member
- Minnesota Bar Association Member
- NCJW lifetime member